A few weeks ago, D-47 Democrat candidate Lindsay DeFranco reached out to me regarding a factual error at the blog, which I (promptly) corrected.  In her email, Ms. DeFranco graciously offered to meet with me.  I accepted her invitation and we met for approximately two hours. 

I previously had similar extended discussions with both Republican run-off candidates Brian Cochran and Jack Miller.  I would surmise that I am the only D-47 voter that has had the honor and privilege of such lengthy discussions with all three D-47 candidates.  And of course, because of my 10+ years covering local politics, these discussions were both substantive and comprehensive.  Thank you to all 3 candidates for indulging me. I would welcome future opportunities to meet.

Currently, the Milton Coalition Blog is the only independent media outlet covering the D-47 campaign.  Readers might wonder why the MC Blog is covering the D-47 race.  My primary motivation is to influence both Mr. Miller and Ms. DeFranco to be better candidates and ultimately better legislators.  Voters deserve substantive debate about policy issues that citizens care about.  I want to especially prod the candidates to focus on elements of good governance that transcend party politics . . . things on which we all agree, such as greater transparency and improved accountability.  Citizens deserve more than platitudes and vague promises . . . we deserve substance and specifics.  Finally, character counts!  Citizens deserve representatives who will run and will serve with integrity, courage, competence, and compassion.  The MC Blog will not be shy about calling out candidates that travel the low road in this election.

I provided the same letter-writing guidelines to Ms. DeFranco that I provided to the Republican run-off candidates when they submitted letters.  My only stipulation was that letters not exceed 500 words.  I am publishing Ms. DeFranco’s letter without commentary.  I am providing Ms. DeFranco’s letter exactly as written and providing a pdf of the letter.

Following is a link to my earlier blog post publishing the Republican candidate letters:  Republican Run-off Candidate Letters

In October, I will again invite Ms. DeFranco and Mr. Miller to submit letters providing their closing arguments to voters.

Please forward this post to family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues who live in District 47.  Please share the blog URL on social media. More informed voters yield better election outcomes.

Thanks to Ms. DeFranco for her letter and thanks to readers for being informed citizens and voters,

Tim

Lindsay DeFranco’s Letter to Voters

I’m Lindsay DeFranco, and I’m running to represent House District 47.

I grew up in Alpharetta. I went to Barnwell Elementary, Haynes Bridge Middle, and Centennial High. Like a lot of people, I left, built a career, and came back to raise my family in the place I call home. My husband and I have two kids in Fulton County Public Schools. Time away teaches you what a community is worth, and how fast it can slip away.

Fifteen years ago, my husband and I co-founded an independent media company, now home to one of the most successful online news shows ever made, based on an unheard of concept at the time. The work was always about dismantling the gatekeepers who decided what ordinary people were allowed to know. I intend to do the same with politics here.

I also co-founded a media literacy nonprofit, because the news business taught me how much depends on people understanding what’s being done in their name. I’ve spent my entire life being held publicly accountable, my work and judgment out in the open. That doesn’t stop here. You may not agree with me, but you will always know where I stand. My door will always be open to you.

For years I’ve been showing up: testifying at the Capitol on bills most people never hear about until it’s too late, sitting in on State Election Board meetings, going to city council meetings and town halls. If you’re not in the room, you miss the details that matter, and the details are usually the whole story.

The government should work as hard as you do. We pay plenty. Our schools are still underfunded, our infrastructure is still struggling, and our money goes everywhere except back into this community. Why do commutes keep growing? Why do you get transferred four times when you finally reach someone at a state agency? And of the programs that do get funded, is anyone checking whether they help?

Meanwhile, the state hands $2.5 billion in tax breaks to data centers owned by the richest companies on Earth while sitting on a $14 billion surplus. That isn’t fiscal responsibility. A budget is a list of priorities, and right now you are not on it. Property taxes climb because the state underfunds our communities and lets the bills land locally. That’s a decision made at the Capitol, and the answer isn’t paying more. It’s demanding your dollars come home.

They promise the same things every year and fix nothing, because the problem is the product.  Solve it, and they’d have nothing left to run on. When we invest early, in healthcare, safety, schools, and strong neighborhoods, we spend less and get more. That’s what I mean by lower costs and higher standards.

This seat is open for the first time in 24 years. I’m not asking you to change your party or your identity. I’m asking you to expect more from the people spending your money.

With regards, Lindsay DeFranco