Our Best Chances for Change: Help Kang, Greenberg, and Murvartian Flip the Georgia statehouse Blue
By Sheri Panovka
Pictured from left: Michelle Kang, Susie Greenberg, and Laura Murvartian. To see canvassing opportunities for these candidates, jump to the end of this article.
Please sign up to knock on doors using the links below:
Coordinated North Fulton -https://mobilize.us/s/ZzrCsS
Michelle Kang, Susie Greenberg and Laura Murvartian don’t appear to have much in common. They come from vastly different places, cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Yet the three candidates for the Georgia House of Representatives enjoy many similarities. Each has spent her adult life engaged and involved—volunteering with nonprofits, children’s schools, political groups, campaigns and more. Each shares a determination to improve her community and the lives of those who live in them. And despite living in heavily gerrymandered districts, each has an excellent chance of flipping her legislative seat from red to blue in November.
Her Term spoke separately to Kang, Greenberg and Murvartian about their goals and what they hope to achieve for the constituents of Georgia House Districts 99, 53 and 48—as well as the rest of the state.
Michelle Kang - House District 99
To donate or volunteer please visit https://michellekangforga.com/
Michelle Kang is running to represent Georgia House District 99, which includes parts of Suwanee, Sugar Hill and Duluth in Gwinnett County. Kang moved to Georgia from South Korea in 1992 after finishing university in Seoul and starting a career in intellectual property law. A single mother of three grown daughters, she has run several small businesses in Gwinnett and across Georgia. At the age of 41, when her third child was in prekindergarten, she entered a master’s degree program in public administration at the University of Georgia. Kang became an advocate for the Asian American, immigrant, minority communities in Gwinnett. She has invested deeply there, having served on several committees, including the Gwinnett Chairwoman’s Citizen Budget Review Committee, the Gwinnett Place Mall Redevelopment Committee and the Gwinnett Transit Development Committee. She also organized the first AANHPI Heritage Month Celebration in Suwanee in 2022 with the goal of fostering community members’ understanding of each other's cultural heritage and history as a means of bonding. She firmly believes diversity is an asset to our community and is passionate about helping our children grow into global citizens who are culturally competent.
The U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce gave her the Outstanding Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Award in 2023, and the Georgia Asian Times named her one of the 25 Most Influential AAPI in 2023 and 2024.
H.T.: How and why did you get involved in politics?
M.K.: Since a young age, I have had a deep desire to make a positive impact on my community and help create a brighter future. As a first-generation Korean immigrant woman, I am deeply committed to advocating for underrepresented populations and believe everyone deserves access to opportunities, resources and support. My personal experiences have only strengthened my resolve to fight for the people of District 99 and across Georgia. I am determined to advocate for and create better policies for our district and state.
In 2020, the Asian American Action Fund appointed me the Korean American
Constituency director to help elect Senator Jon Ossoff. I collaborated with AAPI community leaders and members to mobilize voters and get the vote out for Senator Ossoff.
The next year, I was outraged by Republican gerrymandering that undermined Democratic candidates and weakened the voting power of Democratic officials in Georgia. When Republican Matt Reeves flipped our district in 2022, I was determined to reclaim the seat to represent our diverse community. The incumbent has served only a fraction of the population. He has ignored the historically underserved and the working families struggling with unlivable wages.
In 2022, I joined Senator Raphael Warnock’s re-election campaign, organizing rallies and events to mobilize Georgians. Through this work, I had ample opportunities to speak with and hear from Georgians and gain a deep understanding of the hardships we face and our aspirations for a better future.
I am committed to addressing issues like affordable housing and livable wages, which are crucial for human dignity and a sustainable future.
H.T.: What are your goals in office?
M.K.: I am driven by several immediate and long-term priorities stemming from issues that affect people’s everyday lives. These priorities—advancing economic mobility, lowering housing costs, restoring reproductive rights, expanding Medicaid, ensuring community safety, promoting diversity, improving education and protecting our environment—represent my commitment to building a better future for all members of our community.
I am committed to helping small businesses thrive by addressing workforce shortages, strengthening the supply chain and increasing access to capital and training. Public transit improvements are also crucial, as they enhance mobility and connectivity, which in turn alleviates workforce shortages. Additionally, I will work to expand vocational programs that connect young adults in the Atlanta area to sustainable jobs, ensuring our local economy remains vibrant and inclusive.
I want to make sure the next generation of families can attain and afford reliable housing. Our teachers, police officers and public servants should have the opportunity to live close to where they work.
I am dedicated to restoring reproductive freedom in Georgia. Women’s rights are human rights! My goal is to pass legislation that will eliminate the current abortion ban, ensuring women will be the ones to make the choices about their health and futures.
Expanding Medicaid—and access to reliable, affordable healthcare—will not only improve health outcomes but also save Georgia taxpayers money in the long run. Unfortunately, state politicians continue to withhold billions of federal dollars meant to pay for health coverage.
Finally, I am running for office because ignoring the impact of gun violence in our community will only lead to more senseless harm. Republican state legislators have done nothing to protect our families from gun violence. I want our children, friends, families and neighbors to be able to go to school, work, church, the grocery store and any public place without fearing for their safety from gun violence.
H.T.: What is your greatest achievement?
M.K.: My greatest achievement is being the mother of three incredible daughters who have grown into independent, opinionated, vocal individuals with deep compassion and empathy. All three are thoughtful and considerate, and they understood my determination to go back to school when they were young, even as it meant moving from our community in Gwinnett to Athens, Ga. They also supported my decision to run for office, recognizing the importance of following one's conviction.
Throughout the years, while I worked full time during some of the moments they needed me most, they learned how to navigate and overcome the challenges of everyday life. Our shared struggles and occasional disagreements have helped us all grow into more mature and resilient people. I don’t have to worry about them, because I know they are capable of figuring out what they want in life and of finding the best way to achieve it. I am deeply grateful to have these three amazing daughters in my life.
Susie Greenberg - House District 53
To donate or volunteer please visit https://www.susiegreenberg.com/
Susie Greenberg is running for House District 53, a narrow strip that stretches from Roswell to Peachtree Battle Avenue in Buckhead. Greenberg hails from the Chicago suburbs and graduated from Northwestern University, where she also went to law school. While in Chicago, she clerked for an Illinois Supreme Court justice and then joined a law firm. After a career in corporate litigation in Illinois and her first couple of years in Georgia, she started doing pro-bono work for children with special needs and volunteering at the Jewish Community Center, where she ran a committee for young families.
Before deciding to run for office, Greenberg got involved with grassroots organizations like Moms Demand Action, advocating for the passage of common-sense gun laws in Georgia. She served on Planned Parenthood Southeast’s board, working first to protect—and now to restore—women’s reproductive rights. Her extensive volunteer work includes decades as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) for foster children, mentoring legal refugees and serving as a volunteer college counselor with the Sandy Springs Education Force. She currently serves on the board of the National Council of Jewish Women, Atlanta section. She also chairs the advocacy team of Jewish Democratic Women’s Salon, a Georgia-based group that works to educate and engage progressive women in political activism.
Greenberg and her husband (and high school sweetheart), Marc, moved to Atlanta in 1994 and settled in Sandy Springs in 2005. They have two sons and two daughters, all adults.
H.T.: How and why did you get involved in politics?
S.G.: I started my pro-bono law work, because children with special needs needed to be represented. As my family grew, and my capacity to take on more projects grew, I started volunteering with kids at Riverwood High School who were first-generation Americans—helping to bridge the cultural gap and assisting them with college applications, financial aid forms and more. Many had DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status. So many of those families had immigrated for the American dream. Helping them get into college was incredibly gratifying.
I’m also a court-appointed special advocate for foster children, representing them in court, in schools and in family settings. In doing so, I work very hard in the best interest of the child. I help very vulnerable populations navigate issues related to food insecurity, housing, drug addiction, domestic violence, education, poverty and general health. It’s been very fulfilling, and it gives me a perspective on issues many families are facing.
Since 2015, I have spent a lot of time at the Statehouse advocating for women’s rights, reproductive healthcare, common-sense gun laws, education, immigration and refugee issues, the environment, religious freedom, voter protection and election integrity. The integrity of our elections is critical right now. I have been a poll monitor, volunteered on the Voter Protection Hotline, cured votes and provisional ballots and done a lot of voter outreach, education and registration. Poll watching is so fulfilling; I love seeing people lining up to vote and use their voices. That’s where I got the bug for advocacy at the state level.
H.T.: What are your goals in office?
S.G.: My greatest goal is to give back to a society that has done so much for me and my family. My grandparents were immigrants, and this country has given them so much in terms of opportunity and education. My mother is first generation. We have accomplished so much, and it’s a privilege to be a voice for others and to represent people.
My son Ben was the victim of an armed robbery in 2015. He was physically OK, but it was a traumatic experience. I knew then I had to fight for common-sense gun laws. Something like that motivates one to get involved, create a better society and protect our community. I’m in this race largely to fight for safer communities.
H.T.: What is your greatest achievement?
S.G.: Raising four successful human beings who contribute to society, have a strong moral compass and are good citizens who advocate for others. I’m also proud that I consistently bring conversations and issues to people that educate and motivate them to get involved.
laura murvartian - house district 48
To donate or sign up to volunteer visit https://www.lauramurvartian.com/
Laura Murvartian is running for the House seat for District 48, which includes parts of Peachtree Corners, Johns Creek, Roswell and Alpharetta. Murvartian grew up in a family of immigrants who came to Minnesota from Mexico, where her paternal grandfather settled after surving the Armenian genocide. A Woodrow Wilson Fellow with a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Michigan, she began a career that took her from the Federal Reserve to multiple Fortune 500 companies. She also started a small business and helped several others get off the ground.
The Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) recognized Murvartian as one of the 50 most influential Latinos in Georgia in 2018. She has served on numerous boards, is currently a board member of the Institute of Mexican Culture (IMC) and the Hambidge Center and serves on the Latin American Association finance committee. She is also a member of the 2014 Leadership Atlanta class. A Georgia resident for 29 years, Murvartian became a U.S. citizen three years ago. She and her husband, Michael Rhim, have a daughter in college and a son who recently graduated from college. The family lives in Johns Creek.
H.T.: How and why did you get involved in politics?
L.M.: My parents worked hard in their pursuit of the American dream, and they were able to give us a life that exceeded their expectations. I am running for office, because the dream my parents achieved through hard work is slipping away for too many families living in Georgia and in District 48.
I am proud of the work I have done in our community as a volunteer, philanthropist and nonprofit board member for more than 25 years. I am also proud of the work I have done to promote civic and voter engagement over the last 20 years. This campaign to represent House District 48 is the next chapter in a life committed to improving the lives of Georgians. This is another step in my quest to give back to the country that has given me and my family so much. This year, the stakes are too high for me to sit it out.
H.D. 48 is one of the most competitive districts in Georgia. It is one of the few districts Republicans hold that was carried by Joe Biden, and it figures to be a true battleground both sides will be heavily invested in. With a presidential election in play this year, Democrats are in a strong position to win this seat.
H.T.: What are your goals in office?
L.M.: My top goals are restoring reproductive freedom, cutting healthcare costs, strengthening Georgia’s economy, improving community safety and enacting sensible gun laws.
I believe silence and inaction means acceptance, and I refuse to accept less than what hardworking Georgia families deserve. I refuse to accept the erosion of women’s reproductive rights, I refuse to accept the level of gun violence impacting our children, and I refuse to accept an economy where working families struggle to make ends meet.
H.T.: What is your greatest achievement?
L.M.: Taking care of my parents and honoring them. I am grateful for their sacrifice and hard work, which provided me with the amazing life I live today. I have taken care of my parents in many ways, but publicly honoring them has also been important to me. One example of how I’ve done that is by commissioning a mural in my hometown in their honor and as a thank you to the community that welcomed us when we first arrived in the United States.
So, despite the immense diversity of their backgrounds, experiences and motivations, Michelle Kang, Susie Greenberg and Laura Murvartian do have a lot in common. Their platforms and political priorities reflect the common values they share with one another and with Georgians who envision a safer, more equitable, freer future. This mix of diversity and shared values will allow each of these women to beautifully represent the diversity of Georgia, and it’s clear they will seek to listen to and fight for every Georgian — not just the privileged few.
Each of these women needs your vote in order to win her election and continue the important fight for our rights in Georgia. In addition to casting your ballot between now and Election Day on Tuesday, November 5, please donate to their campaigns or help them knock on doors. It’s a critical time!
Please sign up to knock on doors using the links below:
Michelle Kang (with Stacey Abrams this Saturday, Oct 26)
Laura Murvartian - weekends
Laura Murvartian - weekdays
Coordinated Gwinnett canvass
Susie Greenberg