As part of our 2020 election coverage, WUGA is airing the first of two special edition Athens News Matters programs this week. Voters will have the chance to hear from candidates running for the State House. In the District 117 race, Republican incumbent Representative Houston Gaines is facing Democratic challenger Mokah Jasmine Johnson. Both discussed issues they’re likely to address.
Here’s Rep. Gaines.
“For me, during this pandemic, what I've done is work with all of our local governments in the district, we've helped set up regular conference calls with local hospitals and local governments. We've got to be smart as individuals, and for me, I trust the doctors and I trust the scientists, I better because my father is a physician. You know, we also have a serious economic challenge and for me, we have to do all we can to support small businesses because they have been just decimated.”
Here’s Challenger Mokah Jasmine Johnson.
“They have to expand Medicaid. They have to make sure that there's funding that's available to our county. For example, I'm a woman, and I don't have access to, of course, I'm a woman, but I don't have access to OB-GYN health clinics within this local area, so we have to make sure that there is enough funding that’s available, we have to expand our health care coverage.”
We heard from district 119 candidates Jonathan Wallace and incumbent Marcus Weidower Thursday. Next week it’s the candidates for the District Attorney and sheriff’s races.
All candidates in their respective races are answering the same questions submitted by WUGA listeners.
