Jaha Howard
Democrat
Occupation: Pediatric dentist and business owner
No prior elective offices.
Other community service: Started Wave of Excellence – a dynamic network of nearly 3,000 parents of Smyrna/Vinings public school children who share ideas, information, and solutions to achieve academic excellence. The program is focused on Campbell High School and its feeder schools. Also, service projects led by my dental practice and through business associations such as Vinings Rotary Club.
Q: Why should the voters choose you for this position?
A: Voters should choose me because I understand the concerns of everyday citizens in our district who feel like they do not have a voice at the Capitol. They are tired of political grandstanding on unnecessary issues. I want our schools, businesses, and communities to work together toward a brighter future for all of Georgia’s families. Our district is extremely diverse in age, ethnicity, economics, and political views. We need a representative that values each perspective and takes a collaborative approach to finding solutions. The incumbent has given us four years of policies that are out of step with most voters in the district, mirroring the polarization we’re seeing on the national stage. We must change course immediately.
Q: What is the biggest issue facing the constituents you seek to represent? How will you address that issue?
A: The most important issue facing the residents of District 6 is public education: I would fight for proper funding and reform of high-stakes testing culture. Unfortunately, our lawmakers have underfunded our public schools by over $10 billion since 2003, according to the current funding formula. This is reprehensible and unacceptable. We must prioritize our school funding by making our education budget separate from the general fund.