Best Local Political Figure

If there’s anything we learned from 2016, it’s don’t assume anything. And if we know anything about Stacey Abrams, it’s that she won’t give up without a fight. Previously serving as minority leader for the Georgia House, Abrams has run a tireless campaign for governor based on the issues, including the expansion of Medicaid, criminal justice reform, and affordable housing. As we stand on the precipice of change in our country, Abrams might be the surefire candidate that’ll lead us to an inclusive and equitable future that benefits all Georgians. less...

She doesn’t have a reserved seat on Sunday morning talk shows like Mayor Kasim Reed. Nor the penchant for protests like state Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta. But State Rep. Stacey Evans, D-Smyrna, deserves every bit as much of the spotlight. CL bestowed her with a 2012 Arnie Award - our annual accolade for do-gooders under the Gold Dome - for coming back early from maternity leave to protest abortion legislation by wrapping herself in caution tape with other female Democratic lawmakers on the House floor. Evans took home yet another Arnie in 2013, this time for her adamant push to lower the HOPE scholarship’s grade point average requirements for tech school students. Her proposal, which was designed to give students better access to vocational training opportunities at technical colleges, gained bipartisan support from her fellow lawmakers - as well as a reluctant Gov. Nathan Deal. www.staceyevans.org. less...

Local elected officials — especially in Georgia — usually have to push a resolution proclaiming President Obama the Antichrist if they want to get their constituents’ attention. So give credit to ATLANTA CITY COUNCILMAN KWANZA HALL for reaching out, many times via his Blackberry. Thanks to an ability seemingly to be several places at once — due partly to his 140-character missives to the Twitterverse — the business development director has managed to achieve the unachievable: actually get residents in his district to care and become more engaged. The first-term councilman’s been a tireless advocate for his historic and gentrifying district, which includes Poncey-Highland, Auburn Avenue and the eastern edge of Cabbagetown. And as a member of City Council’s finance and executive committee, he’s on the team that’s set to unravel Atlanta’s messy budget situation. It’s no wonder that Hall, whom city political observers say is destined for higher office, is running unopposed for a second term. apps.atlantaga.gov/citycouncil/bios/2.htm. less...

In the midst of the cesspool of the Georgia Capitol is an island of relative sanity — the office of LT. GOV. CASEY CAGLE. When Gov. Sonny “Florida Land Boy” Perdue and House Speaker Glenn “Love Those Blond Lobbyists” Richardson tried to use $142 million in surplus tax cash as a political football, it was Cagle who played the role of responsible adult by stopping them. Cagle has also put points on the board in other areas. Although he’s wholeheartedly GOP, he’s more like your granddaddy’s Republicans, a little snooty but willing to treat the other side with respect in a debate — and even to listen. In the reddest of red states, that’s the best we can hope for. less...

Georgia has no lack of bad politicians. Linda Schrenko, Bill Campbell, Ralph Reed. You name ’em. What’s often missed is that we have some damn fine people in public office. Among them are Herhonner Shirley Franklin, U.S. Rep. John Lewis and the Fulton Commission’s Karen Handel. But this year’s pick for Best Politico is NAN ORROCK, a state House member since 1987 and a shoo-in to win the Eastside’s District 36 state Senate seat in November. What makes Orrock special? Consistency, for a start. She marched for Civil Rights in the ‘60s, has been a factory worker and union organizer, and helped found The Great Speckled Bird underground newspaper. As a legislator, she’s been tireless in working for real family issues. But Orrock’s also the rare Georgia politician who’s managed to increase her influence while holding true to progressive principles. She rose in the state House to minority whip, one of the top-ranked Democrats. Her smarts, energy and guts will quickly make her a force to reckon with in the Senate. less...