Her Term is supporting candidates for legislative districts that can flip in November. This profile is a Q&A with Lisa Campbell, who is running to represent District 35 in the Georgia House of Representatives, which includes Kennesaw and Acworth. Campbell brings her successful career in the private sector and her community activism together in this race. As a state representative, she will focus on protecting women’s reproductive rights, improving healthcare, ensuring a quality education, addressing issues of gun violence, and protecting democracy.

*Learn more on her website:* *https://lisaforga.com/*

Her Term’s motto is “When she wins, everyone does.” What does that mean to you?

Everyone benefits when women have a leadership role in our society—in our families, our businesses, our neighborhoods and especially when they win seats in our government. Women leaders thrive because they understand that building trust and relationships is key to accomplishing significant goals for the common good. To me, the Her Term motto is a rallying cry for all Georgians to value the importance of the representation of women in our laws, legislation and our government. Together we can help women win, and when we do, we will empower women to improve lives for everyone.

People tend to look at reproductive health, childcare and some other issues as “women’s issues.” Can you explain to constituents why these issues should matter to men as well?

Healthcare, childcare and education will impact every single person in Georgia—women, men and children. Attempts to minimize these issues as exclusive to women is a tactic to undermine the importance of women in our society, and a dangerous attempt to dilute women’s voices, needs, votes and resources.

Research demonstrates that access to reproductive care including abortion, profoundly affects women’s lives by determining whether, when, and under what circumstances they become mothers, outcomes which then reverberate through their lives and their larger communities, affecting marriage patterns, educational attainment, labor force participation, and earnings.

With the Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe vs. Wade, and Georgia’s recent abortion ban legislation, Georgia lives and livelihoods will suffer. These suppressive laws will have tremendous impact on all of our lives from access to contraceptives, availability of IVF treatment, limiting live saving maternal care, and even menopausal care. The ramifications of this new definition of personhood are still unclear, but it could also impact a wide range of issues such as child support, tax filing, miscarriage management, and the criminalization of healthcare providers, women, and their families and friends.

All Georgians should protect and build a climate that supports women, where they know that their hard work and investments will allow them a good quality of life for themselves and their children. The more we restrict fundamental rights like bodily autonomy and access to healthcare, the more difficult it will become to attract a smart, vibrant workforce and support well-being for all Georgians.

Why is it important to ensure women get a voice in your district, and how are you going to do that?

Our current population is 52% female, but our representation in the Georgia government is only 30.5%. This means that, in the 236-member Georgia General Assembly, only 72 representatives are women. It’s long overdue for women in Georgia and in GA House District 35 to have an equal voice and seat at the table. This is the very core of our republic: of, by, and for the people. Likewise, I believe it is important to have a Georgia government that is reflective of the community it is serving.

We also know from many experienced leaders, when women are missing from our government, we are all missing out on 50% of our natural resources, shared talents, diversity of thought, and creative collaboration. We need more women to be represented in our legislature to reflect the growing diversity of our District 35, and the issues that impact women and families. When I’m elected as the first woman to represent our district, I will include women on our teams, ask for women’s input and feedback, ensure women’s votes are counted, and I’ll be committed to lifting, listening, supporting, and representing all women’s voices in our legislative process.

What inspired you to run for office? Was there a specific event or a chain of events that convinced you?

I started this campaign because I believe in the power of equality for all Georgians. Equitable access to education and healthcare, an inclusive economy, anti-racism, the choices about who we love, where we live, and the families we create. I believe equity is the key to our shared opportunities for jobs, for justice, for freedom, for happiness and well-being.

I want to work for all Georgians to ensure that everyone has a voice in our state government. I want to serve by ensuring our legislators hear our voices, see us as unique individuals, and affirm our rights to representation. I’m dedicated to expanding equitable access to quality education and affordable healthcare. I want to create and implement laws, policies and investment strategies where all of us have equitable access to make decisions about our own bodies, relationships, and families.

How has being a woman influenced your leadership?

I have often been the only woman in the business conference room. I know what it’s like to face discrimination, to be silenced, sidelined, ignored, and demeaned because of my gender. These experiences have motivated me to find my own voice, seek out and collaborate with other women, and have been lifelong motivation to work to end gender discrimination.

As the first female managing director for a Georgia technology firm where I was also an equity partner, I implemented equal pay for equal work, the first family leave program and healthcare maternity benefits for new mothers. I also practiced non-discrimination in hiring, training, promotions. My experience as a woman has also helped me become a better listener, collaborator, and consensus builder. I’m ready to put these skills to work as the first woman elected to serve Georgia House District 35.

What are the major positions you're running on? Can you outline your platform?

Women’s Reproductive Rights – I am a lifelong women’s rights advocate. I will speak up loudly for women to repeal discriminatory laws and stand with women and men who want equal access to birth control, accurate sex education, fertility options, abortion, and lifesaving genetic research. I will advocate for patients and their doctors, who can’t practice healthcare with the government getting between them.

Healthcare – I will champion Medicaid expansion and advocate to stop the blockade of federal funding to support Georgians. I will advocate for continued expansion of the ACA to reduce exorbitant premium costs, shore up quality plans, and expand access to networks that offer greater physician choice. I will work to increase transparency in prescription drug pricing and champion the reduction of high cost of prescription drugs for Medicaid and all patients.I support strengthening and expanding public health services and funding in all communities as the cornerstone for economic prosperity.

Education – Fully funding public education every year and paying teachers professional salaries are top priorities. I will seek to create new revenue streams and partnerships to fund curriculum and expand access to technology in order to increase student success rates and professional development for teachers. I will champion transparency and introduce policies that strengthen accreditation standards to include improved educational outcomes, financial accountability, and best practices for inclusive leadership.

Voting Rights – I will work to protect and expand voter registration, ballot access, and early voting/absentee ballot options.We need to ensure increased voter participation in our elections, educate voters about our rights, and advocate for expanding opportunities for eligible voters to participate in elections.

Ending Gun Violence – There are two key changes that will help reduce gun violence in Georgia. First, we have to start treating gun violence as a public health issue, instead of as a political partisan issue. Second, we need laws that are proven to reduce violence such as banning convicted domestic abusers from purchasing guns.

Why should people vote for you? Explain why you’re a stronger candidate than your opponent. What makes you uniquely qualified? What will you do differently from the incumbent?

I am a longtime Georgian and successful small business owner with deep roots in our community. I also am trusted as an advisor to some of our largest and most successful corporations, including Delta Airlines, United Way and Coca Cola. I have proven my ability to deliver great results in complex situations.

In the state house you can count on me to sponsor legislation to overturn Georgia’s extreme six week abortion ban and stand up for women’s rights to make their own reproductive decisions.

I know that while our community hosts world-class hospitals and doctors, many people cannot afford the healthcare they need. That’s unacceptable. In the state legislature, I will work to lower healthcare costs for every Georgian by expanding Medicaid and standing up to insurance companies that deny care or access to prescription drugs.

As the only candidate in this race endorsed by the Georgia Association of Educators, I am proud of our public schools here in Cobb County and support our teachers. In the state legislature, I will work to increase teacher compensation, expand curriculum and technology, and ensure all students have access to a great public education!

How have you been involved in your community and how have you made a difference?

I grew up in Cobb County, the oldest of three girls and attended Cobb County Public Schools. From a very early age, I’ve always stood up for what I believe in, whether protecting greenspace in our Georgia neighborhoods, speaking out to protect voting rights, advocating for women’s rights, or rallying diverse coalitions against overcharging for water. I’m grateful for the experiences I’ve had in Georgia, and I’ve never stopped trying to give back to our communities in return.

For the past 30 years, I have also been committed to community involvement including work for Hands On Atlanta, InCommunity, The United Way, Atlanta History Center, Georgia Conservancy, Lullwater Conservation Garden and the Druid Hills Civic Association, and I’ve served as an elected Board Member of the Homeowners’ Association for Legacy Park Neighborhood in Kennesaw.

Photo credit: Elizabeth Karp Photography