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Sonya Halpern
DEMOCRAT
Sonya Halpern is running for Georgia State Senator, District 39.
Personal background
Sen. Halpern pursued her bachelor's degree at the University of Massachusetts and continued on to the University of Hartford for her master's in business administration. Sonya is a first-generation Georgian, living in the 39th District for 25 years, and is married to Daniel Halpern with whom she has three children.
Professional background
Sonya previously worked at ESPN and Cox Enterprises. Additionally, she was previously appointed by President Barack Obama as the first African-American and first Georgian to Chair the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.
Political background
Sen. Sonya Halpern represents the 39th Senate District in Fulton County, Georgia. She serves as the Chair of the Fulton County Delegation and is a member of the Georgia-Israel Legislative Caucus. She has also been the Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus and the City of Atlanta Delegation.
Economy
Supports enhancing economic security through education and health care access, advocates raising Georgia's minimum wage beyond $5.15, and intends to address affordable housing availability in their district during their first term.
Believes economic mobility should be accessible to all, not limited to a select few, and recognizes that in their district, upward movement is particularly challenging due to growth that has historically neglected certain communities.
Believes many Georgians work hard yet struggle financially, with over half the nation living paycheck to paycheck and lacking emergency funds, and opposes situations where families risk homelessness or must choose between basic necessities and education costs.
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Energy & the Environment
Supports Senate Bill 210 to enhance community solar, update net metering, and expand clean energy options in Georgia, excluding EMCs and municipal utilities.
Advocates for Senate Bill 210 to promote affordable energy, and encourages the growth of Georgia's solar industry for a sustainable energy future benefiting families and small businesses.
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Healthcare
Said, "Expanding Medicaid will be one of my top priorities in office. ... Everyone should have access to health insurance regardless of their income or employment status. ... I will fight for your right to quality, affordable health care."
Supports abortion.
The candidate's website says, "Health care is a human right... The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us what happens when we don’t invest in the well-being of the people... The pandemic has hit communities of color especially hard with Black Georgians getting sick and dying at unacceptably high rates."
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Voting & Elections
Believes Georgia's voting rights are compromised, citing post-2013 Supreme Court decision impacts like signature matching, voter purges, and poor election investment leading to excessive wait times, indicating a failure in state election administration.
Said, "I will support legislation which expands access to the ballot box by investing more in our local county boards of education, making it easier to have your absentee ballot be counted, and implementing same-day voter registration."
Supports a fair, nonpartisan redistricting process post-2020 Census.
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Public Safety
Plans to reform criminal justice by ending mandatory minimums and reallocating some of Georgia's prison spending to education and health care, noting that not all convictions should lead to incarceration.
Believes the justice system fails to treat everyone equally, disproportionately arresting and incarcerating Black and poor individuals, equating race and poverty with crime, and advocates for restoring humanity within the criminal justice system.
Said “The heinous situation involving hostages taken by Hamas demands our collective attention and diplomatic efforts... Israel has the right to exist and defend itself through aggressive efforts to bring home its hostages and deter future potential attacks... "
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Education
Believes education is the key to equality, supports increased funding for Georgia's K-12 schools, and plans to address teacher pay and student support to ensure equitable opportunities regardless of neighborhood wealth.
Supports expanding access to higher education by advocating for legislation that restores the original intent of the HOPE Scholarship.
Plans to study Finland and Estonia's educational systems for insights to develop effective policies and legislation benefiting Georgia's youth in areas of educational equality and excellence.
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