On Tuesday, July 20, Democrats Keith Gross and Sandy Murray will face off in the primary election for the State House of Representatives seat from District 80, which includes portions of Brookhaven.
The winner will challenge Rep. Mike Jacobs, the Republican incumbent, in the November election.
House District 80
Republican
Mike Jacobs
Age: 35
Occupation: Attorney
Neighborhood: Murphey Candler/Harts Mills Road
Political experience: State Representative since 2005. Vice Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Member of the House Insurance, Judiciary, Rules, and MARTA Oversight Committees. Executive Committee of the DeKalb County Republican Party.
Community involvement: Board of Directors of the Anti-Defamation League Southeast Region. Member of the Atlanta Bar Association and DeKalb Bar Association.
Education: J.D., University of Georgia School of Law. B.A., Georgetown University.
Reason for running: North DeKalb citizens deserve a legislator who fights for them, doesn’t just “go along to get along” with the DeKalb political crowd.
website: www.RepJacobs.com
Democrats
Keith Gross
Age: 26
Occupation: Small Business Owner
Neighborhood: North Druid Hills
Political experience: I have operated several successful small businesses – that experience will lend itself well to solving the state’s budgeting problems.
Community involvement: I run a cafe just down the street from where I live and am very involved with local groups.
Reason for running: Years of watching our do-nothing legislature go back and forth without doing anything to solve our problems led me to believe it was no longer appropriate to sit and watch – I had to get in there and try to make a difference. I will fight to make positive change and remain focused on the real issues that face our neighborhoods without becoming distracted by lobbyists.
website: www.KeithGross.com
Sandy Murray
Age: 63
Occupation: Computer consultant
Neighborhood: Brookhaven, Atlanta and Chamblee
Political experience: None
Community involvement: Rotary International, Sierra Club, Ashford Alliance Community Association, Brookhaven Arts Alliance, Oglethorpe Estates Civic Association, Brookhaven Community Connection, Chamblee Business Association
Education: Bachelor of Science in mathematics, Louisiana State University
Reason for running: I am running because the State of Georgia is on a disastrous path. Job creation, education, and transportation are the three key issues on which my campaign is based. In order to bring good jobs to Georgia, the General Assembly must provide additional funds for economic development, which goes hand-in-hand with improving our schools so we can offer companies a well-educated workforce and roads free of the awful congestion all of us experience.
website: www.VoteSandyMurray.com