Brad Thomas

"A Voice for the People of Cherokee County"

By Ellen Samsell Salas

Concern for the welfare of other people defines Brad Thomas from his service as a petty officer in the U.S. Navy to his activism as a resident of Woodstock. As the Republican candidate for State House District 21, Thomas speaks up for the unborn, for schoolchildren, veterans, property and business owners, and the elderly.

His goal is clear: To help all citizens of Cherokee County live the American dream.

Active in local causes, Thomas thrives on fighting for his fellow citizens whose voices may not always get heard.

We have some of the best folks here in Cherokee County, he said. They want to see their community thrive, and theyll help make certain it does if we listen to them.

Thomass decision to run for state office grew out of his passionate belief that every member of our democracy has the right to be heard, and that the government is charged with making transparent decisions that impact those citizens.

I felt a calling to be the voice for others, he said.

Thomas and his wife, Jenny, chose to plant roots in Cherokee because the area offers so much promise to residents.

We arent burdened by too many high density areas; we still have lots of rural space. We have an exceptional school system and great entertainment and dining choices, he said. Its a place to make roots. Thats the character of Cherokee I want to preserve.

For Thomas, family extends beyond his wife (whom he calls his rock) and their two young children, Gavin and Summer. A partner in a small engineering firm, he includes his business partner and employees as members of his family. Thomas is dedicated to the well-being of his employees and says nothing is more exciting than giving people jobs and watching them build their dreams.

As the representative for District 21, Thomass overarching goal will be preserving the features that draw people to the county.

My responsibility will be to represent the people of the district, to focus on the issues that impact our district, he said. Cherokee has a unique quality of life. If we can get ahead of growth and build infrastructure, we can attract business, take care of our residents, our veterans, and our elderly.

To that end, Thomas pledges to fight in several key arenas:

Helping Cherokees Veterans
Cherokee County has the third highest population of veterans and one of the largest populations of homeless veterans in the state. Thomas is active in local veterans groups and knows the struggles they face. He is committed to ensuring that those who have served our country receive assistance and necessary medical treatment, but he believes more formal programs are needed.

These people put their lives on the line for our country, and they deserve better, he said.

Staying Ahead of Infrastructure Needs
With more people moving to Cherokee County, Thomas believes its important to ensure that roads and utilities can accommodate the influx, and its imperative that we have cooperation among county, city, and state officials.

Promoting Business Development and Entrepreneurship
As a small-business owner, Thomas is determined to bring more business to the county. Even though Cherokee is one of the fastest growing counties in metro Atlanta, the majority of residents commute to other counties to work, and the number of commuters is projected to grow to 78% by the next census.

If we let that happen, Thomas said, well be just another Atlanta suburb. Those workers are spending money in other counties, revenue that could help Cherokee sustain its lower taxes, he explained. If we create jobs here, if we offer business-friendly policies, those dollars will be spent in Cherokee, and we will keep our tax burden low.

Ensuring Top-Notch Schools
We have excellent schools here in Cherokee County, but we need to be anticipating what the world will look like in 20 years, Thomas said.

Recognizing that most future jobs will be in STEM fields, Thomas pledges to work with local educators, tap into community resources, and ensure the funding needed to offer a 21st century education.

If we want our children to be equipped to succeed, we must be forward thinking and acting.

Having worked as an engineer for over 15 years, Thomas knows how to solve problems. He knows that a successful outcome requires teamwork and believes his skills would be best suited in supporting the needs of our citizens as well as our local government. He wants to provide a voice for his fellow citizens and will fight to make sure Cherokee is the best place to live, work, and play for all residents.

Election Day is May 19.
If you have more questions or would like to donate/help, please visit the website, email, or call:

ElectBradThomas.com
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678-224-1490

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