MACON, Ga. — A forum for newly created state house districts District 145 and District 149 took place on Monday giving voters the opportunity to meet the candidates who will be on the ballot.
The new districts are a result of a special session in 2023 that came after a federal judge found the previous voting maps were discriminatory.
There were five democratic candidates and one republican candidate in the hot seat introducing themselves to potential constituents and answering questions from voters.
In attendance were Juwan Jackson, Tangie Herring, Noah Harbuck, Donald Druitt, Phyllis Hightower and Floyd Griffin.
They were all asked about their plans for the state budget surplus. Right now, the Georgia Budget Institute said it's at $16 billion.
All of the candidates say they would want to focus that money on education. Tangie Herring taught for 28 years in Atlanta and wants to invest in schools after her experience in public education.
"We need to make sure that we have smaller class sizes, safe schools, increase access to vocational education to kids who do not want to go to college. We need to increase teacher's pay to make sure that it's not a little something here and there, but really have a serious conversation about raising teacher's pay," Herring said.
Juwan Jackson was Bibb County's youngest School Board President last year. He said he wants to invest in everything that goes into education.
"It takes more than just a teacher in the classroom to ensure we have a thriving student body. We need increase pay for our counselors, office staff, bus drivers. Everyone deserves a living wage in the state of Georgia," Jackson said.
As the former chairman of Macon's Democratic Party, Donald Druitt said an important area of focus for the group was education. He said everyone working in that area could use an upgrade, including the facilities.
"Not only the educators but everyone that works in the school system. Bus drivers, crossing guards, our cafeteria workers, and our students need affordable and friendly places to learn…adequate facilities," Druitt said.
Hightower said she's worked in mental health for 30 years. If she could decide where to send extra money, it would be towards improving mental health.
"The dignity of folks who have mental health issues is being lost a lot of folks who struggle with mental health issues they end up in jail or they end up dead," Hightower said.
Griffin said the governor controls the surplus, so he'd want to be on the House Appropriations Committee.
"Where I will have some influence of trying to move that somewhere else or a committee where we work with appropriation to try to get that done."
Harbuck said he simply wants more money for the people he would represent.
"I would make sure it's allocated to District 145. I want to make sure we get as much money as we can to support our district," Harbuck said.
The primary election is May 21 and early voting starts April 29. The democratic winner will face the winner of the Republican primary in November.
That race is between Harbuck, De'ron Rogers, and Nancy Hicks. You must be registered to vote by April 22 for the May elections.
The forum was hosted by the non-profit organization "Georgia Women (And Those Who Stand With Us."