Elections 2020: Meet Georgia Rep. 49th District Candidates

ALPHARETTA/MILTON, GA — In addition to voting for president and vice president of the United States in the Nov. 3 general election, voters in North Fulton, will choose other candidates to represent them, including the seat for the Georgia Representative 49th District.

Incumbent Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr. will be running against Jason Hayes to represent District 49, which encompasses Alpharetta, Roswell, and Johns Creek.

As part of its coverage of the 2020 election, Patch has invited the candidates in contested races to participate in our election profile series. We will continue to update the profiles with links to responses to our questionnaire.

Candidates

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.

Jason Hayes

Age (as of Election Day)

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: 59

Jason Hayes: 43

Party Affiliation:

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: Republican

Jason Hayes: Democrat

Family:

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: Johnna Martin, retired Fulton County Schools; sons, Miles, Lance (Mary Beth) & 3 grandchildren

Jason Hayes: Son of Gladys Hayes (retired nurse) and James Hayes (deceased, Navy Veteran)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: No

Jason Hayes: No

Education

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: BBA - University of Georgia

Jason Hayes: Bachelor of Science- Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana, 1999

Medical Doctorate- Meharry Medical College, 2004
Masters of Science in Public Health-Meharry Medical College, 2004
Physician Executive Masters of Business Administration- University of Tennessee, Haslam College of Business, 2016

Occupation

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: Director, Ryan, LLC

Jason Hayes: Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician- 16 years

Small Business Owner- 3 years

Campaign website

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: www.MartinforGeorgia.com

Jason Hayes: www.jasonhayesforga.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: State Representative, House District 49

Jason Hayes: None

The single most pressing issue facing our community, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: In normal times, the biggest challenge that our community is facing is our success fueled growth and the pressure that it places on our quality of life in the areas of transportation, taxes, and home ownership. We must create local transportation solutions, focused on mobility, that connect to the regional express road lanes and express bus options currently on the way up the GA-400 corridor. We must keep taxes low so that families can thrive and be upwardly mobile and apply the floating homestead exemptions that help families keep their homes.

This year the most pressing matter is responding to and defeating COVID-19 while helping constituents keep safe, find the services they need and restart their lives and businesses. I have supported, and will continue to do so, constituents directly and during the legislative and appropriations process. We will beat this if we work together

Jason Hayes: The single most pressing issue facing our district is healthcare. People are very concerned about Covid-19 and how it will impact our district, state and country moving forward. What compounds the issue is that many people have lost their jobs and/or living pay check to pay check. With this being said, many individuals have to make a decisions about their healthcare and cannot afford the Cobra and/or healthcare premiums. As a physician and former public health doctor, I am advocating for Georgia Medicaid Expansion which will make healthcare affordable for 400-500 thousand Georgians. Second, matching federal funds will ensure our local hospitals in North Fulton, safety net hospitals and rural hospitals in Georgia will stay open. Next, I advocate for more physicians and mid-levels to become credentialed with Georgia Medicaid. As a current Georgia Medicaid doctor, I understand how the program works. Thus, we must incentivize smaller practices and safety net organizations with tax breaks and higher reimbursement rates to accept Georgia Medicaid patients. Finally, I will leverage my experience as a former National Health Service Corp Public Health Doctor and Administrator to advocate for the development of community health centers in medical underserved areas of Georgia. This will allow community leadership to be involved in the development of these facilities including the recruitment and retention of physicians, mid-levels, nurses and administrators. All of these healthcare workers will be dedicated to improving the healthcare of all Georgians.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: I believe the lives of all black people matter and support the message the lives of all black people matter.

Peaceful rallies, marches, and demonstrations in support of ideas and issues serve to bring positive focus. When those events are co-opted and damage is done to private or public property – that is not OK, violence is not Ok.
I have and always will support equality for all people and am proud to have supported and voted for the “Hate Crimes” law this past session. I am proud our communities have been given an “A” rating for ethnic and economic diversity and will always work for equality for all people

Jason Hayes: First, I support diversity in all areas of society. It is unfortunate that these racial issues are continuing to occur with minorities especially Black People. As a Black person, I believe that organizations like Black Lives Matter are needed but we cannot allow outside forces to dilute the message: All Lives Cannot Matter Unless Black Lives Matter. This is nothing against Blue Lives, White Lives, Brown Lives or any Life. The call to action is that we must make fairness and equality a reality for everyone. This includes removing racial bias in society especially the workplace, school systems, banking, housing, politics, the economy, the environment, the judicial system and law enforcement. People have to be willing to look at their own attitudes and behaviors in order to make this society acceptable for all people.

What are your thoughts on the campaign to "defund" the police?

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: Defunding the police is not the answer.

I support public safety and the public safety officers that protect us. I also support funding them so they can have the training and resources available to interact with and protect all equally.
Alpharetta and Johns Creek are known for their community policing policies and residents are positive about the departments and I am grateful to the professionals that keep us safe, including all first responders.
A “defunding” will likely have the opposite effect with reduced funds for the training and programs needed to implement and improve community policing options

Jason Hayes: I do not like the term "defund the police". It is grossly misleading. The proper term should be "reform the police". We need the police. Any person who says otherwise are not thinking about the best interest of society. Also, I would like to change the name from "police officers" to "peace officers". At the end of the day, we need officers to "maintain the peace" and not police. From a policy standpoint, I would push for several changes. First, I would push for the immediate removal of white supremacist who are not for protecting and serving the American people. Second, being a police (peace) officer is a hard job. We must increase pay and benefits for law enforcement. This should include access to primary care doctors and mental health therapist to ensure officers are fit physically, emotionally and psychologically to handle the rigors of the job. Next, we must make education a priority for our officers. This includes making an associates degree a minimal to be in the police (peace) academy and include an additional year and half residency period out of the academy. Also, I would make cultural competency and de-escalation training a priority. Next, I would push for the addition of mental health specialist to be in law enforcement. This will allow mental health specialist to work with people who are experiencing psychiatric emergencies as opposed to police (peace) officers. Then, I would push for 3rd party administered malpractice insurance so we can keep police (peace) officers accountable. Finally, increasing diversity of the law enforcement and allowing officers to monitor themselves will help to reduce much of the discontent we are facing with law enforcement.

What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: Professionals at all levels are making iterative improvements as new data is available to beat this virus and disease and that should be our focus, beating COVID-19. This pandemic is not over, Georgians are still suffering physically, emotionally, and financially so I am focused on actions now and going forward so we can beat COVID-19.

Every business is essential to its owners, employees and customers and any limitations cause loss of value, income, and enjoyment. This pandemic has been and is hard on Georgians; I’ve worked many hours this summer assisting Georgians that are unemployed, had their business operations restricted and are having trouble getting needed services. A single answer to a dynamic pandemic scenario without a definition of “limiting operations” and “non-essential” is impractical if not impossible; instead, we must focus on the latest data and balance health and the economy. This is not easy and we must work together.
I support safe practices, local rules relating to public events and public health matters, and allowing private business to regulate activity on their property. I do not believe a nationwide mandate to be constitutional, enforceable, or impactful since on the ground dynamics are so different

Jason Hayes: The state and national response has been subpar at best. Public health is as much of a political field as much as a scientific field. Thus, we need political leaders to follow the science. Anything less is a disservice to the American people who depend on leadership to keep them out of harms way. Next, I feel as if businesses need to operate on a level of restriction while keeping patrons safe. If curb side deliver and outdoor options are available, we need to use this. The goal should be to maintain the economy while keeping people safe. As a far as a nationwide mandate, I would rather we use the science to dictate this. In other words, areas of high infection should have a mask mandate. Areas of the county that have improved can relax the mask mandate. But I want the American people to understand this very clearly: a nationwide mandate should be the choice if we have to protect people especially if this is a public health emergency.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: I am the only candidate with a record of producing results, reputation for being constructive, and years of local knowledge.

Results
I have produced real results for our community by:
• lowering the tax burden on families, cutting the income tax rate and capping property tax increases with homestead exemptions allowing Georgians to keep more of their money;
• ensuring Johns Creek and Alpharetta are receiving their proper share of local option sales tax to fund operations, parks & recreation, and public safety;
• securing funding for GA 400 lane additions and the upcoming express lanes that will begin construction as soon as design is complete
• obtaining additional security funding at each public school and over $100 million to fight COVID-19
• providing an environment for business to thrive and I am pleased to be recognized and endorsed again this year by the National Federation of Independent Businesses – Georgia for my work;
• listening to and working with residents on issues to improve our quality of life for everyone resulting in Alpharetta and Johns Creek being named, respectively, the #1 and #2, best places to live in Georgia.
Constructive
I have worked with constituents to build consensus in the district and at the Capitol always remembering that my parents taught me to get to know people and work together, to always tell the truth, and to look for ways to get things done—not for reasons to fail.
Local Focus
I have a life-long relationship with the community and my neighbors and always focus on our local issues. National politics is ugly and that isn’t me, I work for you. If you want a representative that puts people first, believes our best times are ahead, and builds consensus - I’m Chuck Martin and I ask for your vote

Jason Hayes: The biggest difference between myself and the incumbent is my extensive experience in healthcare. Not only do I work on the front lines as a Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician but I have the public health education and training. This will be vital in the fight against Covid-19 and improving healthcare access for all Georgians.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

Jason Hayes: The incumbent is a career politician. Given his extensive political experience in Georgia, you would think that he would have the pulse of Georgia especially in healthcare. At this point, he has not made an impact on the health of Georgians. Second, he accepts funding from private prisons. This is even more difficult considering the recent human rights atrocities suffered by inmates in a private prison here in Georgia. What I am asking North Fulton, the constituents of House District 49, is to look for a "Fresh New Voice for North Fulton". This voice should speak for those who need affordable healthcare, small business owners who are suffering from a break in the economy due to Covid-19, students who want a fair shot at getting a quality education, teachers who want to provide strong instruction to students and all constituents who want an improvement in the transportation issue.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: COVID-19 and the economy

Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily, helping constituents obtain the services that they need, keep their families safe, and restart their lives and businesses. As Georgians we must always recognize that COVID-19 is our enemy and not each other.
Education
Our K-12 students and students in our colleges and universities must have access to the tools and training that will prepare them for the “future of work” – as House Higher Education Chairman this is my focus.
Healthcare
Last session, good progress was made with measures that expanded care to low income new mothers, reduced surprise billing, and expanded healthcare options. I will continue to focus on legislation that improves these options for Georgians.

Jason Hayes: Besides healthcare, I want to ensure education is a top priority. Students should never have had funding to the HOPE scholarship eliminated. I want to reverse this immediately as all students should have the opportunity at higher education. Second, teachers need to be in better position to educate students but also they should be compensated appropriately. Next, small business owners need tax breaks and access to emergency funding in the event of an emergency like Covid-19. Finally, we need to improve the traffic issues in our district. This should include continuing to encourage businesses to work from home and increasing more express lanes. Also, we have to look at high speed rail and a 4 day work week.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: I am most proud to have put local issues first and people before politics. A great example is the introduction and passage of measures resulting in local taxpayers receiving their long overdue fair share of the Local Option Sales Tax revenue. Since the measures passed over $20 million have been provided to each of the cities of Alpharetta and Johns Creek. This funding has kept taxes lower, provided for the expansion of greenspace and parks, provided for transportation improvements, and allowed for the acquisition of public safety equipment to improve our quality of life.

Additionally, because of our work Alpharetta and Johns Creek have been named, respectively, the #1 and #2, best places to live in Georgia and been have both been given an “A” for ethnic and economic diversity.
I am also proud to have been recognized for my previous and ongoing service by the Association of County Commissioners, the Georgia Municipal Association, the Judicial Council of Georgia, the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Businesses, and with Georgia Conservation Voters Environmental Leadership Award and the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Pioneer Award. Working with all these groups is proof positive I can handle the job and work across disciplines and across the aisle for our community.

Jason Hayes: I have an extensive education and experience in healthcare, public health, government and business. Also, I have been in positions of leadership and severed as a community volunteer. (See below.) These experiences have afforded me the opportunity at higher education and servant leadership. Not only do I have the capacity to be the next state representative of Georgia House District 49 but I have the desire to work for people. I am ready for the challenge.

List of Accomplishments:
Former Louisiana Boys State Student Government Participant, Elected Student State Representative, 1994
Former CDC Epidemiology Intern, 2000
Former Congressional Intern - Honorable Jim Cooper - Tennessee 5th Congressional District, 2003
Former National Health Service Corp Public Health Doctor and Administrator (interim medical director), 2007-2011
Former Health Policy Advisor and Subcommittee Chairman, State of Tennessee 2008-2009
Former American College of Physician, Scientific Committee Chairman, 2010
Volunteer with 100 Black Men North Metro and Drake House, 2015 - current
Current Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician and Small Business Owner - current

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: No single accomplishment will make this or any term of office a success because the job I’m asking my neighbors to entrust me with is never complete.

I am always working to provide more and better healthcare options, better educational opportunities, a safety net for Georgians that are impacted by COVID-19 due to no fault of their own, a better business climate, and to balance all these priorities while giving taxpayers a good value.
The next term will be a success when we continue to move Georgia forward by making even more progress in areas of healthcare and defeating COVID-19, education including Pre-K, K-12 and colleges, and restarting our economy all while not limiting Georgians freedom – and doing it without increasing taxes.

Jason Hayes: I firmly believe that a campaign's priorities should be the goal to accomplish in any elected position. Thus, a successful term in office should be measured by the following goals: Georgia Medicaid expansion with an increase in healthcare work force, improve funding for the education in particular the HOPE Scholarships and teacher salaries, increase support to small business owners with tax breaks and emergency funding and finally to alleviate the transportation issues in our district.

Why should voters trust you?

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: First, I have a record of doing what I said I would do, and more importantly, because this is my home and they aren’t just voters they are my neighbors and friends – I will always be true to my neighbors and friends.

Jason Hayes: Why should voters trust me? This is a good question. I made the decision early in life to provide service to mankind which was fortified with my education at Meharry Medical College. Thus, becoming a medical doctor is the ultimate profession for trust. You are entrusted with the personal history of people and must keep patient confidentiality high. Therefore, trust, is a quality that I want to earn from my patients but also my future constituents. And I will look to earn this trust as the next state representative of North Fulton: Georgia House District 49.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: No

Jason Hayes: None. I plan to complete the full 2 years of service as a State Representative of Georgia House District 49- North Fulton.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: It is not the government’s money, it is the people’s money and the source it not endless. Many first time office seekers make promises as if they have a “blank check” without looking at the “price tag”. Promises are easy to make; sustainable solutions require thoughtful consensus.

Georgia’s financial condition is strong with a “AAA” bond rating by all rating agencies which is powered by good financial management and Georgians hard work – I will always focus on value for the taxpayer placing emphasis on strategic priorities, education, public health and safety, and the state’s infrastructure.

Jason Hayes: Fiscal responsibility is critical to any elected position. As a small business owner and a candidate of a grass-roots campaign, I practice fiscal responsibility daily. Therefore, any decision that I make as a state representative will focus on what is permissible and not permissible from a spending standpoint.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: At Milton High School an award is given each year in memory of my father, it reads, “In memory of the man who gave total dedication to the students of Milton High School and the youth of the community, who demanded honesty, integrity, and self-sacrifice from the individual for the betterment of team accomplishments.”

My dad inspired me by his action and advised me to be honest, maintain integrity and give of self for the benefit of others, “the team”; I lost him to a heart attack when I was just twenty and he was forty-seven; then and now that advice anchors me in service

Jason Hayes: "You should always bounce ideas off other people". In other words, the perspective of trustworthy people especially the shareholders is critical to decision making.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Charles "Chuck" Martin Jr.: No matter the length of time you have lived in this community, you live here for reasons. I bet very high on that list is our quality of life, our safe neighborhoods, our strong schools, our parks and recreation amenities, and our overall sense of community and inclusion.

Johns Creek is ranked the #2 best place to raise a family in Georgia behind only its neighbor city Alpharetta which was ranked #1; additionally, Alpharetta and Johns Creek are ranked #2 and #3, respectively, as best places to live in the state.
During my years on the Alpharetta Council, as Alpharetta mayor and now representing you at the Capitol I work to make those rankings possible -- I remain absolutely committed to that and to you.
I am your hometown and local voice and fully committed to our community – I ask for your support and vote to keep a good thing going and getting better

Jason Hayes: I want the constituents of North Fulton- Georgia House District 49 to know that I am a servant leader. I am ready to provide you "a fresh new voice" for a better North Fulton and a better Georgia.

This article originally appeared on the Alpharetta-Milton Patch