Tribune Ledger News: Races Set for Cherokee County Elections - Here's Who's Running for Office

Phoebe Eckhardt is a retired resident of Fulton County. 

As of April 27, 2024, P. "Phoebe" Eckhardt did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Ballotpedia, Pheobe Eckhardt

Phoebe Eckhardt's campaign for State Representative in State House District 47 is their first entry into politics. 

Wants to “move our state back to the Constitution — a lot of the spending we are doing is not authorized by the Constitution. Everything needs to be revamped. We need a total foundational revamp and spending is number one. We need a new look at our budget.”

- Wants to “move our state back to the Constitution — a lot of the spending we are doing is not authorized by the Constitution. Everything needs to be revamped. We need a total foundational revamp and spending is number one. We need a new look at our budget.”

Economy

As of June 7, 2025, P. "Phoebe" Eckhardt did not have a website or any information online.

Energy & the Environment

Healthcare

Said election integrity is the most pressing issue right now, adding that “if your vote is not secure, you don’t have anything. You don’t have any freedoms at all.”

Said "we need to address the fraud and I don’t know why there hasn’t been an investigation of so much fraud that we saw over the last couple of years, especially in Decatur — that was very shocking,” she said. “It’s paramount that we work on that. Our voter rolls are still today — there are people who are there that don’t live there and it’s an empty house.”

Supports paper-only ballots because “it’s totally secure and very doable.”

- Said election integrity is the most pressing issue right now, adding that “if your vote is not secure, you don’t have anything. You don’t have any freedoms at all.”
- Said "we need to address the fraud and I don’t know why there hasn’t been an investigation of so much fraud that we saw over the last couple of years, especially in Decatur — that was very shocking,” she said. “It’s paramount that we work on that. Our voter rolls are still today — there are people who are there that don’t live there and it’s an empty house.”
- Supports paper-only ballots because “it’s totally secure and very doable.”

Voting & Elections

Said “I saw over 70 people, illegal aliens, lined up on the street with suitcases and backpacks. I was shocked,” she said. “They were all in line to get into a place where evidently they were getting, I’ve heard they get credit cards with money, they get food stamps, who knows what they get? They get vouchers for hotels. It has to stop.”

- Said “I saw over 70 people, illegal aliens, lined up on the street with suitcases and backpacks. I was shocked,” she said. “They were all in line to get into a place where evidently they were getting, I’ve heard they get credit cards with money, they get food stamps, who knows what they get? They get vouchers for hotels. It has to stop.”

Public Safety

Said the condition of some of Georgia’s public schools is “shocking,” adding that there needs to be a focus on reading, writing and arithmetic.

- Said the condition of some of Georgia’s public schools is “shocking,” adding that there needs to be a focus on reading, writing and arithmetic.

Education

P. "Phoebe" Eckhardt

Jan was born in Warner Robins and has lived in Fulton County for 30 years. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Georgia and a master's degree in Finance from Georgia State University. Jan and her husband, Kalin, have four children, and are members at Northpoint Community Church in Alpharetta.

Jan worked as a marketing manager for Home Box Office and owned a home-based small business. 

Ballotpedia, Jan Jones

Jan Jones was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2003 and has served since then. Previously, she represented district 46, until 2012. In 2010, she was elected Speaker Pro Tempore, the second highest position in the Georgia House, where she represents House District 47.  She also initiated and wrote the charter to create the City of Milton in 2006.

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "In 2019, the Republican legislative majority dropped the state income tax from 6 percent to 5.75 percent, the first reduction in Georgia history. North Fulton Republican legislators passed homestead exemptions to freeze valuations for the purposes of school and city"

The candidate's website says, "In 2018, ... Jan authored and successfully passed legislation to give North Fulton homeowners the opportunity to cap their future property taxes as long as they own their home. ... voters overwhelmingly supported this homestead referendum by a margin of 79-21."

The candidate's website says, "to ensure Georgia's businesses can safely reopen and not fear unwarranted lawsuits."

Said, "I support providing a lower tax structure to support our entrepreneurs and employers. Small businesses are one of our most valuable job-creating assets. I continue to be committed to relieving Georgia’s small businesses from costly regulations."

Wants tax reductions to support entrepreneurs, specifically small businesses. 

Believes the COVID-19 pandemic's aftermath should be used to innovate and create jobs, ensuring Georgia remains competitive and meets families' needs through state reforms and innovation that promote meaningful employment opportunities.

Believes the COVID-19 pandemic's aftermath should be used to innovate and create jobs to meet families' needs through state reforms and innovation to promote employment opportunities.

The candidate's website says, "give North Fulton homeowners the opportunity to cap their future property taxes"

Plans to grant cap future property taxes to North Fulton homeowners. 

- Wants tax reductions to support entrepreneurs, specifically small businesses. 
- Believes the COVID-19 pandemic's aftermath should be used to innovate and create jobs to meet families' needs through state reforms and innovation to promote employment opportunities.
- Plans to grant cap future property taxes to North Fulton homeowners. 

As of June 7, 2025, Jan Jones’s website did not contain information on this issue.

The candidate's website says, "extend Medicaid to new mothers"

The candidate's website says, "Georgia must continue its work to ensure healthcare is more accessible, affordable, and predictable... the Georgia legislature passed bills that addressed surprise billing for out-of-network hospital costs, expanded Medicaid for new mothers up to 6 months after birth, and brought greater transparency to the healthcare process."

Supports Medicaid Heathcare to "ensure healthcare is more accessible, affordable, and predictable... the Georgia legislature passed bills that addressed surprise billing for out-of-network hospital costs, expanded Medicaid for new mothers up to 6 months after birth."

The candidate's website says, "six months after giving birth, provide parental leave for state employees, and r"

Plans to institute parental leave six months after giving birth to state employees. 

- Supports Medicaid Heathcare to "ensure healthcare is more accessible, affordable, and predictable... the Georgia legislature passed bills that addressed surprise billing for out-of-network hospital costs, expanded Medicaid for new mothers up to 6 months after birth."
- Plans to institute parental leave six months after giving birth to state employees. 

The candidate's website says, "Jan serves on the House Reapportionment Committee and had a hand in re-drawing fair, legal state House and Senate and Congressional districts to reflect 2020 census figures... She is excited that the newly configured House District 47, which she represents, will add a portion of the Freehome area in Cherokee County to the District in 2023."

The candidate's website says, "as long as they own their home. Milton, Alpharetta, Roswell, and Mountain Park voters overwhelmingly supported this homestead referendum by a margin of 79-21."

The candidate's website says, "Representative Jones acknowledged that should HB 531 pass the General Assembly, it will be the 60th elections related bill to pass since she has been in office. HB 531 is necessary for Georgia"

The candidate's website says, ", giving 30,000 North Fulton residents greater control and decision-making over their community and elected officials."

The candidate's website says, "Yesterday, Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones addressed HB 531, sponsored by Representative Barry Fleming. Representative Jones is the second sponsor of the bill. HB 531 will work towards ensuring integrity in Georgia's elections."

The candidate's website says, "HB 531 would offer immense changes to Georgia's elections process, providing greater public notice of voter machine testing, uniformity of voting schedules, revisions to the absentee ballot request period and deadlines, as well as codifying ballot drop boxes in each county based on population..."

Plans to implement HB 531 to change to election process by "providing greater public notice of voter machine testing, uniformity of voting schedules, revisions to the absentee ballot request period and deadlines, as well as codifying ballot drop boxes in each county based on population..."

The candidate's website says, "In addition, Jan continues her work on the House Election Integrity Committee to further strengthen our election laws, so it is easier to vote and harder to cheat."

Plans to institute more rigorous election Integrity policies to promote just outcomes. 

- Plans to implement HB 531 to change to election process by "providing greater public notice of voter machine testing, uniformity of voting schedules, revisions to the absentee ballot request period and deadlines, as well as codifying ballot drop boxes in each county based on population..."
- Plans to institute more rigorous election Integrity policies to promote just outcomes. 

The candidate's website says, "to provide for enhanced sentencing after conviction of the underlying crime, as well as"

The candidate's website says, "In 2021, Jan helped lead House Republicans in passing legislation to ... reduce sex trafficking in our state. This year, the Georgia legislature also passed historic hate crimes legislation to provide for enhanced sentencing after conviction of the underlying crime..."

Said "In 2021, Jan helped lead House Republicans in passing legislation to ... reduce sex trafficking...This year... [Georgia Legislature] also passed historic hate crimes legislation... for enhanced sentencing...of the underlying crime..."

Plans to intensify efforts against human trafficking in Georgia, support justice for victims, target high-incidence areas like Atlanta, hold perpetrators accountable, and advance legislation aimed at eliminating the issue through her role on the GRACE Commission.

Plans to intensify efforts against human trafficking in Georgia, promote justice for victims, target areas like Atlanta "with high rates of human trafficking" hold perpetrators accountable, and advance legislation aimed at eliminating the issue through her role on the GRACE Commission.

- Said "In 2021, Jan helped lead House Republicans in passing legislation to ... reduce sex trafficking...This year... [Georgia Legislature] also passed historic hate crimes legislation... for enhanced sentencing...of the underlying crime..."
- Plans to intensify efforts against human trafficking in Georgia, promote justice for victims, target areas like Atlanta "with high rates of human trafficking" hold perpetrators accountable, and advance legislation aimed at eliminating the issue through her role on the GRACE Commission.

The candidate's website says, "adds extra weight to a student’s HOPE/Zell Miller scholarship"

The candidate's website says, "adds extra weight to a student’s HOPE/Zell Miller scholarship".

The candidate's website says, "giving students greater flexibility"

The candidate's website says, "Jan’s commitment to Georgia’s college students motivated her to author legislation that"

The candidate's website says, "expanding educational opportunities to all of Georgia’s children"

The candidate's website says, "complete graduation requirements while receiving college credit"

The candidate's website says, "GPA for STEM courses. Beginning in 2017, these courses now provide a 1/2 extra point to these students’ GPAs,"

The candidate's website says, "Ga. students, parents need school choice"

The candidate's website says, "Representative Jan Jones has distinguished herself as a passionate advocate for changing lives and increasing economic opportunities through improved education and government closer to the people."

Advocates "for changing lives and increasing economic opportunities through improved education and government closer to the people."

The candidate's website says, ", Jan authored legislation to establish the State Charter Schools Commission by constitutional amendment, which Georgia voters approved in 2012."

The candidate's website says, "in their courses and an opportunity to reach higher into more rigorous disciplines and rewarding them for it. This structure is similar to how schools weight for AP and dual enrollment courses."

The candidate's website says, "A distinguished advocate for expanding educational opportunities to all of Georgia’s children, Jan authored legislation to establish the State Charter Schools Commission by constitutional amendment, which Georgia voters approved in 2012."

Supports innovative, flexible educational policies in Georgia, empowering teachers and parents, emphasizing local control, and viewing reform as vital for students, workforce development, and economic success.

The candidate's website says, "Earlier, she led the passage of the landmark Move on When Ready Act that established Georgia’s dual enrollment program... This allows qualified 11th and 12th grade public school students to... complete graduation requirements while receiving college credit at a Georgia college or technical school."

Supports incentivizing STEM education by authoring legislation that boosts HOPE/Zell Miller scholarship GPA for STEM courses, akin to AP and dual enrollment weighting, enhancing student opportunities in rigorous fields since 2017.

Supports incentivizing STEM education by authoring legislation that boosts HOPE/Zell Miller scholarship GPA for STEM courses to enhance student opportunities in rigorous fields. 

The candidate's website says, "Jan has worked on education issues important to parents, including a Parents Bill of Rights (HB 1176); ... and protecting K-12 students from being exposed to age-inappropriate materials (HB 1217). She supports awarding our educators the largest regular salary increase ever, $5,000 yearly."

Worked on issues " including a Parents Bill of Rights (HB 1176); ... and protecting K-12 students from being exposed to age-inappropriate materials (HB 1217)."

Supports allocating $30,000 state grants for school security, advocates for funding PPE and COVID-19 safety measures in schools, and is committed to backing those who safeguard families and communities.

Supports allocating $30,000 state grants for school security, advocates for funding PPE and COVID-19 safety measures in schools, and is committed to backing those who "put their lives at risk for our families and communities."

Supports legislative reforms for education, advocating for local control, innovation, and flexibility in Georgia's K-12 and higher education, viewing it as vital for students and the state's economic future.

The candidate's website says, "that established Georgia’s dual enrollment program. This allows qualified 11th and 12th grade public school students to leave high school and"

Plans to continue established "Georgia’s dual enrollment program...allows qualified 11th and 12th grade students...[to] complete graduation requirements while receiving college credit at a Georgia college or technical school.

The candidate's website says, "at a Georgia college or technical school. State education funding follows the student to pay for the college tuition."

Wants the State to fund the education for those at a Georgia college or technical school.

Plans to grant educators $5,000 yearly pay raise, "largest regular salary increase ever".

- Supports incentivizing STEM education by authoring legislation that boosts HOPE/Zell Miller scholarship GPA for STEM courses to enhance student opportunities in rigorous fields. 
- Worked on issues " including a Parents Bill of Rights (HB 1176); ... and protecting K-12 students from being exposed to age-inappropriate materials (HB 1217)."
- Supports allocating $30,000 state grants for school security, advocates for funding PPE and COVID-19 safety measures in schools, and is committed to backing those who "put their lives at risk for our families and communities."
- Supports legislative reforms for education, advocating for local control, innovation, and flexibility in Georgia's K-12 and higher education, viewing it as vital for students and the state's economic future.
- Plans to continue established "Georgia’s dual enrollment program...allows qualified 11th and 12th grade students...[to] complete graduation requirements while receiving college credit at a Georgia college or technical school.
- Wants the State to fund the education for those at a Georgia college or technical school.
- Plans to grant educators $5,000 yearly pay raise, "largest regular salary increase ever".

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

Jan Jones

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Georgia State House of Representatives.
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws. All bills dealing with the state budget originate in the Georgia House of Representatives.
- The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up our state lawmaking body: the Georgia General Assembly.
- There are 180 members of the Georgia House of Representatives, each representing a single district.
- State Representatives are elected to two-year terms. They are paid a yearly salary of $17,342. They only serve in the role part-time.