MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — We've entered the second week of early voting in Central Georgia that'll all lead up to who'll take seats in the State, local, and federal races.
13WMAZ’s Jessica Cha talked to District 25’s state senate candidates– Republican representative Rick Williams and Democratic representative Valerie Rodgers– in Baldwin County about what's important to them as they run.
Rick Williams has been a long time business owner in Milledgeville and involved in local politics for decades.
“I have a servant's heart. I've always enjoyed helping people,” he says.
Valerie Rodgers is a veteran and a retired teacher who's lived in Milledgeville for over 20 years.
"I felt that it was time to step up and I want to help everyone in my community,” she says.
Both say they value educators and improving the state of Georgia's education.
"There's a number of things we can do from continuing to implement bonuses and benefits for the teachers and other personnel in the education systems in Georgia,” Williams explains. “We want to keep those teachers and show them the benefit of staying with our school systems.”.
“In order to help slow down the shortage of the teachers that we have, to temper the shortage of substitutes that we have, to help slow down the shortage of our bus drivers and nutritionists– we have to increase their salaries across the board,” Rodgers says.
Both candidates also say their supporters' biggest concerns are with job security and the economy.
"You know we lost the Food Service Partners down here in Milledgeville. We're rich in natural resources, so I think we're in a great position to keep expanding and moving forward in Middle Georgia,” Williams says.
"Don’t get me wrong– we have a lot of fast food restaurants, but we’ve also lost a lot of corporations,” Rodgers says. “We had shop industries and other corporations that we lost. We need to get those back. That will offer them some stability in our community and trust also, too.”
They even agree that the worker shortage can be solved through encouragement and better benefits.
“I think it's going to take more work trying to attract more people to go to work and to get off the porch, and go to work. Go get a job,” Williams says.
"They need to have a livable wage. Right now, a lot of them are living paycheck to paycheck, and that's not right. We need to make sure that they all have a livable wage as to where the economy is going up like it is as far as gas, and everything– that they have a way so they can live, or decide if they're going to pay their light bill this month, or if I'm going to get some food this month. That shouldn't be an option for people here in Georgia, but it is,” Rodgers says.
Williams and Rodgers say they’re both the right fit for the job.
“I have experience locally and in government, and I have run my own business since 1975, so I have the background of business experience, and knowing the community,” Williams says. “Having been in the legislature for six years, I have met the people who run those different state agencies, I know who to contact to help solve constituents issues. I enjoy working for the people and will continue to work and give myself to the community.”
“I’ve been in the military, I’ve served on various campaigns, I’m a retired educator– so, I know how I feel as a mother, a teacher, a daughter. I know that the issues that we have faced in education, issues in healthcare, in voting rights are real,” Rodgers explains. “We need to make sure we put somebody that’s going to work with the community, trust the community. They need somebody who is going to be there for the people, and hear them and understand what they’re going through, and I know I’m that qualified candidate.”.
Senate District 25 covers Baldwin and Putnam counties, and parts of Jones and Bibb.