Ballotpedia. Mel Keyton

AJC/ACC Voter Guide - Local & Legislative Questionnaire

Mel attended Georgia Tech and Atlanta Technical College. He is native to District 65 and attended Tri-Cities High School. He currently lives in South Fulton and serves as the HOA (Homeowner's Association) president for Hampton Oaks. 

LinkedIn

Mel works as an engineer tech for the DeKalb County government.

Mel Keyton City Council District Four

Mel Keyton ran for South Fulton's City Council, District 4 in 2021. He is currently running for State House Representative in Georgia's 65th district.

Candidate website

Said, "I also propose legislation to provide grants for rural communities, supporting local development and infrastructure projects. Additionally, grants will be allocated to rehabilitating homes for senior citizens, fostering an environment where our elders can age comfortably and securely."

The candidate's website says, "4. Legislation to put a Moratorium on Warehouses in High-density areas on State roads."

Wants to put a moratorium on warehouses in high-density areas on state roads. A moratorium temporarily prohibits activity. 

The candidate's website says, "8. Grants that will promote farmers to keep their land for growing and producing free-grazing livestock."

Supports grants that will encourage farmers to keep their land for growing and producing free-grazing livestock.

Wants legislation to ban investors from buying the majority of homes within a 5-mile radius.

Supports legislation to allow HOAs (homeowners associations) to have gates and mandates that city, county, and state governments still have to maintain waterways, water, and sewer services at no cost to the HOA.

Proposes grants for struggling homeowners who are behind on HOA fees and for HOAs with a budget deficit.

- Wants to put a moratorium on warehouses in high-density areas on state roads. A moratorium temporarily prohibits activity. 
- Supports grants that will encourage farmers to keep their land for growing and producing free-grazing livestock.
- Wants legislation to ban investors from buying the majority of homes within a 5-mile radius.
- Supports legislation to allow HOAs (homeowners associations) to have gates and mandates that city, county, and state governments still have to maintain waterways, water, and sewer services at no cost to the HOA.
- Supports lower state taxes.
- Proposes grants for struggling homeowners who are behind on HOA fees and for HOAs with a budget deficit.

Economy

Supports community service and environmental stewardship, actively maintaining local infrastructure and collaborating with GDOT and EPA for sustainable development in Dekalb County, Georgia.

Supports community service and environmental stewardship, actively maintaining local infrastructure and collaborating with GDOT (Georgia Department of Transportation) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) for sustainable development in DeKalb County, Georgia.

As of March 19, 2024, Mel Keyton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Said, "Lastly, my agenda includes legislation to bolster hospitals in high-density areas, ensuring they have the resources necessary to meet the healthcare needs of our communities..."

- Said, "Lastly, my agenda includes legislation to bolster hospitals in high-density areas, ensuring they have the resources necessary to meet the healthcare needs of our communities..."

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

The candidate's website says, "1. Legislation to Make Property Title Fraud a felony to protect homeowners."

Wants to make property title fraud a felony.

- Wants to make property title fraud a felony.

Public Safety

The candidate's website says, "3. Legislation for free lunch for all Grade school Students."

Said, "Furthermore, I advocate for free school lunches for all grade school students... Access to nutritious meals is fundamental to children's health and academic success... we empower every student to reach their full potential."

Supports free school lunches at grade schools.

- Supports free school lunches at grade schools.

Education

Mel Keyton

Deandre holds a Master of Education (MEd) from Keiser University and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from Liberty University. He resides in Atlanta and volunteers with several nonprofit organizations and routinely gives lectures. 

Deandre works at a mental health nonprofit as a quality assurance and training director. He has experience working in education as a dean and superintendent. He previously worked as a parks and recreation commissioner for the City of East Point.

Deandre S. Pickett has served as Chief of Staff for former State Representative Ralph Long III in 2012 and for the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus under former State Representative Dee Dawkins-Haigler in 2015. He has been appointed to the Georgia Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, where he serves as the Vice Chair. He previously ran for the Fulton County Board of Education in 2014 and for State House Representative in 2016. He did not win either race. 

As of March 19, 2024, Deandre S. Pickett’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Said, "I am committed to leading the fight for accessible and affordable healthcare... I will stand up against special interests and work to implement policies that expand healthcare coverage, lower prescription drug costs, and protect vital services for those most in need."

Plans to support policies that expand healthcare coverage, lower prescription costs, and protect services for those in need.

Said, "I am committed to leading the fight for adequate resources and support for mental health services... Did you know that approximately 1 in 5 adults in Georgia experience mental illness each year, yet only half of them receive the necessary treatment? This is unacceptable."

Supports robust mental health services and plans to increase funding for mental health programs in underserved areas and advocates for policies that increase access to counseling and therapy.

Said, "As someone who has struggled with health challenges, I believe that healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege, and I will work tirelessly to ensure that every individual has access to quality care."

Said, "I believe that healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege, and I will work tirelessly to ensure that every individual has access to quality care."

- Plans to support policies that expand healthcare coverage, lower prescription costs, and protect services for those in need.
- Supports robust mental health services and plans to increase funding for mental health programs in underserved areas and advocates for policies that increase access to counseling and therapy.
- Said, "I believe that healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege, and I will work tirelessly to ensure that every individual has access to quality care."

Supports requiring police officers to receive mandatory verbal de-escalation training.

Would support legislation that "strengthens law enforcement, promotes community policing, and enhances public safety measures."

Supports gun ownership only "through comprehensive background checks and education programs."

- Supports requiring police officers to receive mandatory verbal de-escalation training.
- Would support legislation that "strengthens law enforcement, promotes community policing, and enhances public safety measures."
- Supports gun ownership only "through comprehensive background checks and education programs."

The candidate's website says, "De'Andre... has worked tirelessly for the last 18 years to advocate for families and children within the state... Since 2006, De'Andre has served in many educational capacities from Educational Specialist and Dean of Students to recently having served as the Superintendent of a Charter Network."

The candidate's website says, "De'Andre's community ties continue to run deep within organizations that are building educational improvements... Serving as the Educational Attainment and Community Relations Director for the South Fulton Business Coalition where De’Andre’s diverse background in community relationship building along with his experience in education was highlighted..."

Said, "Together, we can ensure that every child in our community has the opportunity to succeed and build a stronger, more prosperous future for our children and our state through a robust and inclusive education system."

Plans to install a robust and inclusive education system to "ensure that every child in our community has the opportunity to succeed and build a stronger, more prosperous future."

The candidate's website says, "build a stronger, more prosperous future for our children and our state through a robust and inclusive education system."

Said, "I am deeply committed to transforming our education system so that every student will have access to a quality education... I will oppose any budget cuts that would undermine our schools and will work tirelessly to secure funding that will enhance student achievement."

Instagram

Facebook

Deandre S. Pickett

Robert was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. He holds degrees from Sarah Lawrence College, Harvard University, and an master of fine arts from Bennington College. 

Robert currently works as a cybersecurity consultant and previously worked as a staff writer in the United States House of Representatives.

Ballotpedia, Robert Dawson (Georgia)

Robert Dawson previously ran for state representative in 2022. Before that, he ran for South Fulton City Council. 

Said, "The state must do more to bring quality development and jobs to our region... We all want smart, safe, clean communities."

Supports using "future-forward technologies like electric vehicles, solar energy, blockchain technology, and cybersecurity to upgrade the state’s grid and capabilities." 

Said, "I support creating a more mobile district by investing in on-demand public transportation services to support our residents’ options to travel throughout our region"

Supports investing in public transit and believes it provides more "options to travel throughout [the] region."

- Supports using "future-forward technologies like electric vehicles, solar energy, blockchain technology, and cybersecurity to upgrade the state’s grid and capabilities." 
- Supports investing in public transit and believes it provides more "options to travel throughout [the] region."

The candidate's website says, "District 65 must use future-forward technologies like electric vehicles, solar energy, blockchain technology and cybersecurity to upgrade the state’s grid and capabilities. Let’s become an information technology hub! Computer Science, STEM, IT and Skilled Trade training programs are also needed."

Said, "I support building partnerships to enhance State parks in our district"

Said, "I support investing in public gardens, community gardens and “pocket parks”"

Supports improving state parks through partnerships and investing in public and community gardens.  

- Supports improving state parks through partnerships and investing in public and community gardens.  

Said, "I will work to expand medicaid in Georgia and demand that all Georgians have access to adequate healthcare"

Wants to reform the process of building new hospitals in Georgia.

The candidate's website says, "Access to healthcare should be equitable across all racial, economic and demographic lines"

Said "Access to healthcare should be equitable across all racial, economic and demographic lines."

- Wants to expand Medicaid.
- Wants to reform the process of building new hospitals in Georgia.
- Said "Access to healthcare should be equitable across all racial, economic and demographic lines."

Said, "I will fight to protect the integrity of our elections and combat attempts to disproportionately prevent minority applicants from registering to vote"

The candidate's website says, "A federal judge threw out those maps, calling them racially discriminatory, and instructed Georgia lawmakers to draw new ones..."

The candidate's website says, "Republican leaders of the State House pushed through new maps that have been approved by the judge, even though they still give Republicans unfair advantages."

The candidate's website says, "After Governor Brian Kemp signed maps into law in early 2022, voting rights groups sued the state, calling the maps racially discriminatory... The groups argued the districts violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits racial discrimination in state voting policies and redistricting."

The candidate's website says, "Georgia is not the only state facing allegations of racial gerrymandering ahead of the 2024 US General Election. Tennessee, North Dakota, Louisiana, Alabama and South Carolina have all faced legal challenges to proposed maps based on racial gerrymandering"

The candidate's website says, "David Scott (D-Ga) will no longer be the congressman for our area after a federal judge approved a GOP-led redistricting plan, which moved his district further south into the Macon area"

The candidate's website says, "Robert Dawson (D-Ga) announced he is pursuing election in Georgia's new State House District 65. Election Day is May 21, 2024... Dawson is subject matter expert on the issue of redistricting and has been advocating for fair representation in our area and beyond..."

The candidate's website says, "Your State House District map is changing. Some voters will remain in State House District 65 and many voters from the old District 61 are now living in the new District 65"

Said, "I will continue to stand against attacks on civil rights and voting rights in Georgia and beyond:"

Plans to "stand against attacks on civil rights and voting rights in Georgia and beyond:"

Believes Georgia's redistricting maps diluted Black voters' power, violating the Voting Rights Act, and ordered new maps with more majority-Black districts by a set deadline, with a third-party alternative if lawmakers failed to comply.

Believes Georgia's redistricting maps "violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting the power of Georgia's growing Black population...ordered...new maps with more majority-Black districts".

Said, "I am calling for the repeal of Georgia's restrictive voting laws and attempts to block fair access to the ballot"

Opposes "Georgia's restrictive voting laws."

Support third-party redistricting to prevent partisan maps.

Supports making Election Day a state holiday.

- Opposes "Georgia's restrictive voting laws."
- Support third-party redistricting to prevent partisan maps.
- Supports making Election Day a state holiday.

Said, "I support funding and implementing streetlight masterplans throughout the region"

Plans to federally fund and implement streetlight masterplans. 

Said, "I support funding the installation of sidewalks near schools to promote safe routes for our children"

Wants to install sidewalks near schools as he claims it will "promote safe routes for our children."

- Plans to federally fund and implement streetlight masterplans. 
- Wants to install sidewalks near schools as he claims it will "promote safe routes for our children."

Said, "As a proud product of public schools, I am an advocate for quality of education in our district... I want all our children to have the same opportunity."

The candidate's website says, "It’s time to prioritized public education and equip our students with forward-facing skills. We can enrich our students in the classroom and beyond"

Plans to prioritized public education and equip our students with forward-facing skills. We can enrich our students in the classroom and beyond"

The candidate's website says, "By hiring more public school teachers we lower class sizes and relieve overcrowding for our students"

Said, "I wrote one of the first United States Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Hope 6 grants, successfully securing $100,000+ in funding for public housing tenant training... I have also written other pro bono grants including a grant from CVS for A. G. Gaston Junior High School and grant from CVS for the Alabama School of Fine Arts. I am a dedicated supporter of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. I have had the privilege of developing art programming at Morehouse College, Alabama AM University, Alabama State University, Tuskegee University, Morris Brown College, and others."

Supports America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). 

Said, "We need to hire more public school teachers and pay them better. I support increasing the minimum public school teacher salary in the state from 42,000 a year to over 50,000"

Supports hiring more public school teachers and increasing pay from $42,000 a year to over $50,000  a year.

Said, "I oppose special interests groups who want to take money from public schools and send it to private schools and charter schools that don't have proper oversight and that rally even open their doors in our communities"

Opposes "special interests groups who want to take money from public schools and send it to private schools and charter schools that don't have proper oversight."

Said, "I support extending HOPE Grant eligibility and making college accessible and affordable for all"

Supports extending "HOPE Grant eligibility and making college accessible and affordable for all."

Said, "I support skilled-trade, information technology and cybersecurity training to upskill our public school students"

Supports skilled-trade, information technology and cybersecurity training in public schools.

Said, "I support expanding access to childcare and Georgia's Pre-K to ensure our children have the start the deserve in live"

Supports expanding childcare and prekindergarten access. 

- Supports hiring more public school teachers and increasing pay from $42,000 a year to over $50,000  a year.
- Opposes "special interests groups who want to take money from public schools and send it to private schools and charter schools that don't have proper oversight."
- Supports extending "HOPE Grant eligibility and making college accessible and affordable for all."
- Supports skilled-trade, information technology and cybersecurity training in public schools.
- Supports expanding childcare and prekindergarten access. 

Twitter

Robert Dawson

Sam has a Master's in Public Administration from Georgia State University's School of Public Policy and holds an undergraduate degree in political science and economics from Emory University. He currently serves as chair of Chattahoochee Hills Charter School and serves on the board of Teach for America Metro Atlanta. He is a Georgia resident and lives with his wife Samantha, and four daughters.

Sam currently works as a partner at DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) work. He is also a founder and managing partner at the Wakefield Group. He previously worked as the director of leadership development at the Organizer Zero project, director of leadership development at Teach for America, and a teacher with the Atlanta Public Schools.

Everyday Fatherhood, Why I'm Running for Office

Sam Wakefield previously ran for South Fulton city council. He is currently running as a State House Representative in Georgia's 65th district.  

As of March 19, 2024, Sam Wakefield’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Said, "We’re one of only 10 states who have yet to expand Medicaid and as a result 1.4 million Georgians currently lack healthcare."

Said, "According to the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute, closing this gap would address racial disparities in health care access and outcomes... Through my wife’s work as a holistic nurse practitioner, I have learned firsthand the need to invest in mental health, reproductive healthcare, and additional support for seniors."

Wants to expand Medicaid and believes it would address "racial disparities in health care access and outcomes, which disproportionately affect black women and children."

- Wants to expand Medicaid and believes it would address "racial disparities in health care access and outcomes, which disproportionately affect black women and children."

The candidate's website says, "Voting is a fundamental right of each Georgian, a right that multiple generations have fought to protect dating back to reconstruction."

Said, "Despite historic turnouts in recent years, we’re seeing an increase in efforts to make it more difficult to vote. ... Our job as state legislators should be to safeguard that right ..."

Supports legislation that makes voting more accessible. 

Hopes to encourage citizens to be more involved in elections and political affairs.

- Supports legislation that makes voting more accessible. 
- Hopes to encourage citizens to be more involved in elections and political affairs.

The candidate's website says, "Sam is ... a father to four brilliant black daughters. ... Samuel has nearly two decades of experience in education as both a practitioner and a thought leader. He also helps schools and organizations advance issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in their strategy and organizational development. Samuel has also chaired or co-chaired multiple school boards and educational nonprofits, and currently serves as chair of Chattahoochee Hills Charter School. Most recently he has served as the Interim Head of School for the Terra School at Serenbe."

Said, "One of the biggest challenges facing our state is the ongoing assault on how we educate our young people."

The candidate's website says, "Prior to this, he has served in a variety of leadership roles including at Teach For America leading Teaching and Learning, ... Fulton County Schools serving as their Strategy and Innovation Facilitator for South Fulton, and Atlanta Public Schools where he first began as an elementary teacher."

Supports enhancing learning opportunities, increasing investment in educators, and broadening access for pre-K and post-secondary students to fulfill the potential of the state's youth.

Hopes to invest more in educators, improve learning opportunities, and provide increased accessibility to prekindergartens and post-secondary education. 

Said "One of the biggest challenges facing our state is the ongoing assault on how we educate our young people."

- Hopes to invest more in educators, improve learning opportunities, and provide increased accessibility to prekindergartens and post-secondary education. 
- Said "One of the biggest challenges facing our state is the ongoing assault on how we educate our young people."

Sam Wakefield

- 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.