Bill Cowsert was raised in Macon, Georgia, and attended Presbyterian College where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration, followed by a juris doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law. He resides in Athens with his wife Amy, and together they have three children: Will, Caty, and Bob. The Cowserts are active members of the First Presbyterian Church of Athens, where both Bill and Amy have served as elders.

Bill Cowsert is an attorney and co-founder of the Athens law firm Cowsert Heath LLP. 

Bill Cowsert was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 2006, where he represents district 46. In 2014, he was elected by his peers as the Majority Leader, a position he served in until 2018. He currently serves on several committees, including Finance, Insurance, Senate Judiciary, Regulated Industries and Utilities (Chair), and Senate Rules.

Ballotpedia: Bill Cowsert

Supports tax reform; Georgia enacted its first state tax rate reduction via HB 918, lowering corporate and personal income tax rates to 5.75% and increasing standard deductions, benefiting all taxpayers, especially lower-income groups.

Supports tax reform; Georgia enacted its first state tax rate reduction via HB 918, lowering corporate and personal income tax rates to 5.75% and increasing standard deductions.

Supports establishing universal rural broadband in Georgia to enhance education, healthcare, and business competitiveness in the global economy, as outlined in SB 402.

Sponsored Senate Resolution 579 which proposed the legalization of sports betting.

- Supports tax reform; Georgia enacted its first state tax rate reduction via HB 918, lowering corporate and personal income tax rates to 5.75% and increasing standard deductions.
- Supports establishing universal rural broadband in Georgia to enhance education, healthcare, and business competitiveness in the global economy, as outlined in SB 402.
- Sponsored Senate Resolution 579 which proposed the legalization of sports betting.

Economy

The candidate's website says, "In 1935, the U.S. embarked on a mission to route electricity to every home in America, no matter how rural. ..."

As of July 25, 2024, Bill Cowsert’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Athens Politics Nerd: Senator Cowsert

Opposes abortion, supporting Georgia's "Heartbeat Bill."

- Opposes abortion, supporting Georgia's "Heartbeat Bill."
- Opposes Medicaid expansion.

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Supports legislative measures to protect Americans in public spaces and has advocated for Georgia's tougher anti-terrorism laws, expanding definitions and prosecutorial power, and lowering the victim threshold for terrorist acts.

Advocates for Georgia's tougher anti-terrorism laws, expanding definitions and prosecutorial power, and lowering the victim threshold for terrorist acts.

Supports prioritizing prevention over prosecution; sponsored legislation enhancing interagency communication for safety, and established a Homeland Security Board to improve Georgia's defense against mass attacks through expert collaboration.

Supports prioritizing terrorism prevention over prosecution; sponsored legislation establishing a Homeland Security Board to improve Georgia's defense against mass attacks through collaboration.

Said, "In my role as a state Senator I will continue to protect you and other constituents from violent attacks and safeguard our Constitutional rights, including those guaranteed by the Second Amendment."

Supporter of efforts to limit internal investigations in the Georgia Senate on accusations of sexual harassment. The new rules were passed at the beginning of the 2019 session but were mostly reversed at the very end of the same session.

Sponsored Senate Bill 240, which "seeks to limit property rights for certain foreign persons and entities by prohibiting them from acquiring possessory interest in land used for farming or within a ten-mile radius of any military base, military installation, or military airport, unless certain conditions are met."

- Advocates for Georgia's tougher anti-terrorism laws, expanding definitions and prosecutorial power, and lowering the victim threshold for terrorist acts.
- Supports prioritizing terrorism prevention over prosecution; sponsored legislation establishing a Homeland Security Board to improve Georgia's defense against mass attacks through collaboration.
- Anti-gun control
- Supporter of efforts to limit internal investigations in the Georgia Senate on accusations of sexual harassment. The new rules were passed at the beginning of the 2019 session but were mostly reversed at the very end of the same session.
- Sponsored Senate Bill 240, which "seeks to limit property rights for certain foreign persons and entities by prohibiting them from acquiring possessory interest in land used for farming or within a ten-mile radius of any military base, military installation, or military airport, unless certain conditions are met."

Public Safety

The candidate's website says, "creates a framework where students can receive on-the-job training and earn"

Said, "As the son of a public school teacher I am committed to education and extremely proud that for the first time since 2003 - the Quality Basic Education funding formula for K-12 schools will be fully funded. I was also proud to support SB 3, better known as the CONNECT Act which..."

Supports the Quality Basic Education funding formula for K-12 schools being fully funded.

The candidate's website says, "meaningful industry credentials while still in middle school or high school. The Department of Education will partner with private industries in Georgia so students can have internships and apprenticeships in real work environments."

Supported the CONNECT Act which creates a framework where students can receive on-the-job training and earn industry credentials while still in middle school or high school.

- Supports the Quality Basic Education funding formula for K-12 schools being fully funded.
- Supported the CONNECT Act which creates a framework where students can receive on-the-job training and earn industry credentials while still in middle school or high school.

Education

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Bill Cowsert

Gareth is a member of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church. Her and her wife, Judy, live in Walton County, Georgia. Gareth graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio with a bachelor's degree in Government, and later graduated from the University of Georgia in 2004.

WUGA: Democratic candidate joins race for the District 46 Georgia State Senate seat

Gareth is the Founder and Owner of Seven Points LLC, a company that helps prepare candidates for the social work licensing exam.. She also worked as the Campaign Manager for Adriane Brown for City Council in 2023. She has held a variety of social work, editing, and insurance jobs in her career.

Ballotpedia: Gareth Fenley

Gareth Fenley's campaign for state senator is her first entry into politics. 

Said, "I’m running to make sure there’s a broad path to prosperity where everyone’s included, all throughout Georgia State Senate District 46 -- from Gwinnett County to Barrow, Walton, Oconee, and Athens-Clarke counties."

As of July 25, 2024, Gareth Fenley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Said, "No one can take for granted that our democracy will be here tomorrow. ... I’ve been involved in political campaigns and causes all my life, working to amplify the power of the vote. Now in this critical election year, I’ve stepped up to run as a candidate for the first time."

Said, "In my district on February 22, 2024, the appalling murder of Laken Riley...devastated our community. Local and state law enforcement coordinated swiftly to arrest a suspect... The district attorney appointed a special prosecutor to ensure justice will be done."

The candidate's website says, "Unfortunately, the national Republican Party seized upon this tragedy. They are exploiting Laken Riley's name to push their agenda on immigration policy. They dishonor her with their scapegoating and showboating."

Said, "As I speak to you on March 11, our community is anguished and exhausted. We need to heal, as justice takes its course."

The candidate's website says, "Individually and in courses of all sizes up to hundreds of students, she instructs learners at all levels... Gareth specializes in exam preparation, especially for social work licensing..."

Gareth Fenley

- Your state senator represents the interests of your district in the Georgia State Senate.
- Your state senator can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws after going through the legislative process. 
- State Senators are involved in approving some appointments by the Governor.
- The State Senate, along with the State House of Representatives, makes up our state lawmaking body: the Georgia General Assembly.
- There are 56 Georgia senators, each representing a single district.
- State Senators are elected to two-year terms. They are paid a yearly salary of $17,342.

Georgia State Senator, District 46

Election results

Candidates (2)