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ZEBULON - This is a two (2) year seat currently held Rep. Ken Pullin who is not running for re-election.
• Beth Camp from Concord qualified as a Republican. Her email is elizebeth.a.camp@gmail.com, and her website is campforgeorgia.com.
• Kenny Coggins from Thomaston qualified as a Republican. His email is kennycoggins@hotmail.com and his phone number is (706) 975-9440.
• Chris Benton from Thomaston qualified as a Democrat. His email is chrisbentonga@gmail.com, his phone number is (470) 745-0060, and his website is chrisbentonga.com.
The winner of the Republican Primary will face Chris Benton in the November election. The winner will take office on January 1, 2021.
Beth Camp from Concord, Republican
I truly care about my community. The people who comprise Pike, Lamar, and Upson Counties are important to me, so choosing to qualify for the Georgia House District 131 seat was an important decision because YOU deserve someone who will provide true representation. I am the people’s candidate, not special interests. As your representative, I will represent YOUR interests at the State House. I understand the importance of rural economic development to our District. We need high speed internet and reliable cell phone coverage, so property values and quality of life improve. We cannot allow well-paying jobs to be centered only in urban areas because of technology barriers any longer. Students shouldn't be forced to go to McDonald’s to upload homework assignments. Our area needs opportunities for small businesses to be created and thrive, so the American Dream benefits all members of a community.
As a school board member, I have faithfully served as an elected public servant. I have a voting history of being fiscally responsible while embracing the future. This recent response to COVID 19 is one of the difficult challenges faced, but the needs of students, teachers, and the community were put first. That’s what leaders do—they put others before their own interests and needs. I believe that no one can govern an area better than those in the community, so supporting local leaders is vital for strong local governments and municipalities. This includes advocating at the state level for funds to improve roads and infrastructure.
As a wife, I've been blessed to share my life with my husband, Mark, for the past 26 years. We met when we were both emergency medics. When we married in 1994, three beautiful children became mine and have enriched my life so much as we became a family with Meredith completing our family in 2001. We now have three energetic grands to enjoy and cherish. Mark & I live on a farm in Concord. My mother and father-in-law joined us on the farm in 2019.
I'm a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty in Zebulon. I serve in many areas of the community including CASA ADVO-Care board of directors for Fayette, Spalding, Pike & Upson Counties, Kiwanis Club of Pike, Pike County Arts Council member, Vice President of Community Affairs for Heart of Georgia Board of Realtors, Pike County FFA Alumni, Pike County Poverty Awareness Team, Pike County Farm Bureau, and Pike County Chamber of Commerce having served in many other roles and organizations over the past decades that enriched our community.
I worked alongside my wonderful husband to ensure our children had college educations by placing my educational goals on hold. As they grew up and entered the world, I worked in the evening and weekend to obtain an AS degree from Georgia Military College, a BS from Clayton State University in Integrative Science w/ concentration in Psychology, and a Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies w/ emphasis in Organizational Leadership from the University of Alabama.
Kenny Coggins from Thomaston, Republican
Thomaston-Conservative Republican, businessman, Kenny Coggins, proudly filed the requisite paperwork to officially run for Georgia’s 131st State House District. The seat’s current incumbent Ken Pullin announced his retirement from the Georgia House of Representatives.
“I’m truly excited about the opportunity to represent our community in the Georgia House of Representatives. I have been honored by the outpouring of support I have received throughout the 131st District. This election is so critical. We need a Representative who can deliver for our District, and fight for our values. I hope to earn you vote May 19th, and the opportunity to serve.”
About Kenny Coggins
The son of Fred and Virginia Avery Coggins, Kenny is a lifelong resident of Upson County. A Successful business owner, and pillar of the community. Kenny is proud to have dedicated his career to helping, and serving families of our community as a Funeral Director, and a dedicated Christian, husband, father and conservative. Kenny’s life has been steeped in servant leadership, and he is excited for the opportunity to serve our communities in the Georgia House of Representatives.
Kenny has remained very active in the community and with several organizations throughout Georgia. He serves on the Gordon College Foundation Board, the West Central Georgia Bank Board of Directors, the Southern Bank and Trust Bank Board of Directors, The Upson EMC Board of Directors, and Upson Regional Medical Center Foundation. He is also the Past President of the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce, The Thomaston Kiwanis Club, and the Georgia Funeral Directors Association. Kenny also was the Chairman of the Southern Crescent Technical College Foundation, and the Upson EMC Foundation boards. He is an Alumni of Leadership Georgia Class of 1993. Kenny attended Georgia Southwestern University, and graduated from Gupton- Jones College of Mortuary Science. He is married to Janie Wall Coggins, and they are the proud parents to three children, and four grandchildren. Kenny, and Janie are member of First United Methodist Church of Thomaston, where Kenny currently serves on the Foundation Committee, and has been a member of the choir for many years.
Chris Benton from Thomaston, Democrat
I, Chris Benton, publicly announce my candidacy for state representative in GA House District 131.
More than ever, it's time Lamar, Pike, and Upson have a representative that is effective in getting things done; to move forward on issues that unite us instead of dividing us. My focus in the GA House will be to make sure all our neighbors have access to high-speed internet, support our public schools, and end cannabis prohibition. These issues are overwhelmingly supported throughout our community. Just like any team, no one person can accomplish their goals alone in the GA House. I look forward to working with my Republican, Democrat, and Independent colleagues to craft smart legislation that we can pass, and that can withstand legal challenges in court. During this age of hyper-partisan politics, by making ourselves the example, we can show all that effective governing happens when we put serving the people first.
We live in a remarkable community, filled with talented and caring people who share a deep appreciation for our rural way of life. We have what it takes to make this a thriving, economically viable, sustainable environment for our families, students, and businesses. Our representative should be a reflection of that. Someone willing to be more than a rubber stamp for a political party, but someone who will advocate passionately on our behalf in the GA House. For that, I am the right choice.
My wife Jolee and I live in the community of Silvertown, located in Thomaston, GA. We're the proud parents of two amazing children and three rescue pets. We are active members of Silvertown Baptist Church. Throughout my life, I have found myself excelling in leadership positions both at work and in the community. Let me excel as your representative. I would appreciate your vote.
To learn more about me and the campaign for State Representative, visit http://www.chrisbentonga.com. Additionally, consider supporting the Elect Chris Benton movement that will help bridge the political divide by donating $5, $10, or $20. Our campaign isn't funded by special interests, but by voters like you. Unity may be funded through my website or at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/cbga.