Photo by Laura Nwogu/The Atlanta Voice The results of election day brought along a series of runoffs, including seats for Georgia’s lieutenant governor, secretary of state, insurance commissioner, Fulton County commission chair, and Fulton County commissioner, District 5. Ahead of runoff elect ion day on June 16, Concerned Citizens Taking Pride in the Southwest Side, a nonpartisan grassroots organization, organized a candidate forum at the Ivy Community Center on Wednesday in partnership with Georgia Stand-Up, The People’s Agenda, and The Ivy Community Foundation. Atlanta residents of all ages sat in the audience for the opportunity to hear from and meet Georgia statewide and Fulton County runoff candidates.  The forum was moderated by award-winning journalists Monica Pearson and Maria Boynton. Questions by community members were submitted and selected ahead of the event, and candidates gave open and closing statements with 90 seconds to answer two questions each.  Photo by Laura Nwogu/The Atlanta Voice Both Republican candidates in the runoff for governor were invited to attend the forum. Lt. Governor Burt Jones notified the organizers that he had a scheduling conflict; they said they did not receive a response from healthcare CEO Rick Jackson.  Former Commissioner Mo Ivory is vying for the Democratic nomination for the Fulton County commission chairman seat. She’s hoping to take over from longtime incumbent Robb Pitts, who is seeking reelection. Safer neighborhoods, stronger county services, greater accountability, and distributing economic opportunities equitably throughout Fulton County were among the issues they discussed.  “Chairman Pitts believes experience is measured by how long you’ve been there. I believe experience is measured by how quickly you can identify problems and how effectively you can solve them,” Ivory said during her opening statement. “The question is not how long you have been there. The question is, what have you accomplished while you were there? Fulton County deserves leadership that pays attention, acts with urgency, and delivers results.” Photo by Laura Nwogu/The Atlanta Voice Pitts ended the forum with his closing statement. “My counterparts across the country call me and ask me, ‘How are you able to do what you do for your citizens without raising taxes?’ That’s how I know that we’re doing such a great job…  This is not the time for on-the-job training. We are at war. Experience does matter.” The race to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for Georgia lieutenant governor is between state Sen. Josh McLaurin and former state Sen. Nabilah Parkes; McLaurin was the only one to attend the forum.  Former Georgia State Rep. Keisha Waites and insurance agent and Navy veteran DeAndre Mathis will run against each other again in June to clinch the Democratic nomination. Both attended the forum, tackling questions about rising homeowner and auto insurance premiums, making insurance more affordable for older adults and working families, and accountability within the insurance industry. Both parties for secretary of state are in the runoffs, with former judge Penny Brown Reynolds and Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett running against one another for the Democratic ticket and state Rep. Tim Fleming and former Democratic state Rep. Vernon Jones facing each other for the Republican ticket.  Barrett was the only one who could attend the forum, answering questions about voter participation, increasing voter competence, ensuring elections remain secure and accessible, and helping entrepreneurs navigate state licensing.  When voters hit the polls again in June to vote for who will become commissioner in Fulton County’s 5th District, they will have to choose between two people on the Democratic ticket, former South Fulton City Councilwoman Helen Zenobia Willis and Sojourner Grimmett. They discussed investment in youth programs, workforce development, and recreation opportunities.  Thelesia “Ms. Honey Bee” Lowery-Barksdale, a community advocate, and Deborah Scott, executive director of Georgia Stand-Up, encouraged the audience to get involved in local organizations and show up for their communities beyond the elections.  “We’re in serious trouble. So, beyond this runoff, beyond this race, we need you all to get involved and get in the fight,” Scott said to the audience.  The post One more chance: Candidates in Georgia runoff elections appeal to voters during forum appeared first on The Atlanta Voice. ...read more read less