By Michael Dockery
As the Georgia General Assembly convenes for a new legislative session, a lot of important decisions are being discussed under the Gold Dome. For most families here in South Georgia, though, life doesn’t pause to follow every bill number or committee meeting. Folks are busy working, raising families, and trying to keep up with rising costs at home.
That’s why I believe leadership starts with making sure the people back home understand what’s happening in Atlanta — and how it affects their daily lives.
I’ve spent months listening across District 176 — on front porches, in neighborhoods, at community meetings, and in conversations with teachers, parents, farmers, and small business owners. What I’ve heard is consistent: people want transparency, accountability, and leadership that stays connected to home.
Too often, government feels distant. Legislation gets passed, press releases get sent out, and families are left wondering how any of it actually helps them. I don’t believe public service should work that way.
As this legislative session moves forward, I’ll be paying close attention to issues that directly impact our communities — education outcomes that truly serve students and teachers, the rising cost of living that’s squeezing family budgets, rural infrastructure needs like roads and broadband, access to healthcare close to home, and accountability in how decisions are made.
Not headlines — outcomes.
Good policy should improve real lives, not just sound good on paper. And the people who live with the consequences of legislation deserve to understand what’s being debated, why it matters, and how it affects their communities.
I believe accountability doesn’t stop once lawmakers head to Atlanta. In fact, that’s when it matters most. Leadership means listening before decisions are made and staying engaged long after votes are cast.
South Georgia deserves representation that stays rooted here — connected to the people, grounded in our values, and focused on practical solutions that strengthen families and communities.
That’s the kind of leadership I’m committed to, and it’s why I’ll continue listening, learning, and keeping my focus right where it belongs: on home.
