On June 9, Cobb County residents will have the opportunity to vote for a variety of political offices. The EAST COBBER presents the candidates running in the Democratic primary election for the Georgia House of Representatives-District 46. The Republican incumbent, John Carson, has no Republican challengers.
SHIRLEY A. RITCHIE (D) 
AGE: 69
CITY, STATE BORN: West Chester, PA
EDUCATION: Spalding University (Nursing School) Louisville, KY/1981 BSN; Air force commissioning program 1982
OCCUPATION: Entrepreneur/Semi-retired Registered Nurse.
FAMILY: Husband, Charles Ritchie
HOBBIES: Providing mobile medical foot care services to those in need. Special emphasis on seniors, disabled, homebound, vets and homeless.
ORGANIZATIONS: Association of Foot Care Nurses; Senior Citizen Council Of Cobb
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN EAST COBB/COBB COUNTY? Since 1999
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ELECTED TO A PUBLIC OFFICE? IF YES, PLEASE LIST OFFICE AND YEAR(S): No
PLEASE DESCRIBE THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE THAT QUALIFY YOU FOR THIS OFFICE. 39 years in nursing. Geriatric focus. Case Management; 23 years military service-medical and public Affairs; Serving as public affairs officer (special assignments at the pentagon; Admissions liason officer for air force academy; Promoting race relations as assistant chief equal opportunity and treatment officer for Kentucky Air National Guard. After serving my country, I focused on finding my niche in the medical field. Moving to Georgia offered a wealth of opportunity to work from the ground up with senior healthcare issues.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING YOUR POLITICAL OFFICE, AND, IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT? We have to work together, consider options and importantly, think outside the box. There is always going to be someone who may disagree with a plan but, as political leaders, we must listen to both sides of the discussion and “together” chart a course of action. It will not be perfect because one size never fits all. My background has been medical and bringing together diverse groups of people. Healthcare Access with accurate information, transportation and sufficient medication definitely is in the forefront at the timing of this article. Everyone needs healthcare, period.
WHO DO YOU ADMIRE MOST, AND WHY? Oprah: Lays out her soul upfront
PLEASE LIST THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE YOU AS A PERSON:
1. Open; 2. Relentless; 3. Comfortably Inquisitive
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CAROLINE L. HOLKO (D)
carolineholko.com
AGE: 45
CITY, STATE BORN: New Orleans, LA
EDUCATION: BA Political Science
OCCUPATION: Activist
FAMILY: Husband, son, 12; daughter, 10
HOBBIES: Advocating for justice, sewing, gardening
ORGANIZATIONS YOU BELONG TO: Cobb County Democratic Committee, Cobb Democratic Women
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN EAST COBB/COBB COUNTY? 13 years
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ELECTED TO A PUBLIC OFFICE? IF YES, PLEASE LIST OFFICE AND YEAR(S): Not yet.
PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS OFFICE’S DUTIES & ITS IMPACT ON EAST COBB: State Representatives are responsible for making sure that the laws of the land are a reflection of the values of the community. It is also the responsibility of the legislature to make sure that our budget is maximized for the good of the community.
PLEASE DESCRIBE THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE THAT QUALIFY YOU FOR THIS OFFICE. In addition to holding a degree in political science, I have been an active community organizer for a number of years. Part of that work has been deepening my understanding of how our levels of government work together to make sure that the needs of my local community are met.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING YOUR POLITICAL OFFICE, AND, IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT? Given that I am responding to this survey during a pandemic, I’m going with affordable, accessible healthcare for ALL Georgians. We are only as strong as our weakest link, and I am devastated at the additional costs to our citizens the persistent lack of healthcare is causing. Also, women should have the right to choose what happens to their bodies. Full. Stop.
WHO DO YOU ADMIRE MOST, AND WHY? Shirley Chisolm, the first Black Woman to run as a major party candidate in a presidential election. And she did it all as her authentic self. I offer this quote “You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” This quote has been one of my inspirations since the 6th grade.
PLEASE LIST THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE YOU AS A PERSON:
1. Committed; 2. Driven; 3. Engaged
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