Special election for District 42 set for May 11

Jason Carter, the grandson of former president Jimmy Carter, today picked up the Georgia Equality endorsement for the open state Senate District 42 seat. A special election is set for May 11.

In a press release from Georgia Equality, Carter says, "I believe that Georgia Equality provides an invaluable voice on many issues affecting our community's health and human rights, and it plays a crucial role in supporting the rights of the LGBT community in particular. I am honored to have their support and I look forward to being a friend and strong advocate for Georgia Equality in the state senate."

David Adelman served as the state senator for District 42, which encompasses parts of DeKalb County including Decatur and Atlanta, until he was recently appointed U.S. ambassador to Singapore.

Other candidates qualifying to run for the seat are: Libertarian David Montane, Independent Steve Patrick and Democrat Tom Stubbs.

Jason Carter is an attorney at Bondurant, Mixson & Elmore. In 2006, he co-founded Democrats Work, a national volunteer organization for Georgia residents wanting to work on community service projects. He also founded Red Clay Democrats in 2002 for young professionals.

Several gay leaders such as Ken Britt, Lawrie Demorest, Jamie Ensley, Glen Paul Freedman, Harry Knox, Alex Wan and Kyle Williams are hosting a fundraiser for Carter on April 15 at the home of Jimmy Paulk. Also, Carter is holding an LGBT mixer at Radial Cafe on April 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Radial is located at 1530 DeKalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307.

No other endorsements from groups or organizations are listed on Carter’s website. He does have a list of endorsements from current or former elected officials:

Stacey Abrams - State Representative, House District 84
John Ahmann - Decatur School Boardmember, District 1, Post B
Kathy Ashe - State Representative, House District 56
Kecia Cunningham - Decatur City Commissioner, District 2
George "Buddy" Darden - Former U.S. Congressman, 7th District
Pat Gardner - State Representative, House District 57
Pierre Howard - Former Lt. Governor and State Senator, Senate District 42
Robert James, Jr. - DeKalb County Solicitor General
Emmanuel Jones - Chair of Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, State Senator, Senate District 10
Mary Alice Kemp - Former Decatur City Commissioner, District 2
Jim Martin - Former State Representative, House District 47
Lee May - DeKalb County Commissioner, District 5
JoAnn McClinton - Former State Representative, House District 84
Mike Mears - Former Mayor, City of Decatur
Julie Rhame - Decatur School Boardmember, District 2, Post B
Bernadette Seals - Decatur School Boardmember, District 2, Post A
Cathey Steinberg - Former State Senator, District 42; Former State Representative, District 46
Rashad Taylor - State Representative, House District 55
Elizabeth Wilson - Former Mayor, City of Decatur
Valarie Wilson - Chairman, Decatur School Board, Post At Large

Photo courtesy Jason Carter