Georgia Election 2022: Here's a look at Augusta area candidates running for state offices

As the general election approach, a few incumbent legislators representing the Augusta area are gearing up to face challengers.

In addition to new challengers, there is some shuffling of state legislators after districts 122, 125 and 127 were redrawn in November 2021.

A look at who's running this fall:

State Senators

District 22: Sen. Harold Jones - Andrew Danielson

Sen. Harold Jones, D-Augusta, is challenged by Republican Augusta attorney Andrew Danielson, whose occupation is listed as "candidate."

Jones, who has held office since 2015, was assigned to the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee, Senate Ethics Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee, Public Safety Committee, Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee, and Senate Rules Committee.

“If you're going to be a legislator, the key thing is, are you actually passing legislation?” Jones said. “My record shows that I've done that and I've been able to work bipartisan.

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"You have to work bipartisan as far as the Georgia Legislature is concerned. Not one single bill can pass without Republican support and I've been able to do that.”

Jones is hoping to form new legislation surrounding cyber crimes and create a study committee to analyze home caregiver resources.

“It's an issue that I had to deal with for my father,” he said. “I realized that's something that a lot of people are dealing with, so I want to do a study committee on that. Let's find out what the resources are, how we make people more aware of those resources, and we need to add more to it.”

Danielson did not reply this past week to multiple emails seeking comment.

Senate District 22, which is much of west, central and south Augusta in the redrawn maps, remains 71% Democratic, according to an analysis by the Princeton Gerrymandering Lab.

District 23 and District 24: Districts 23 and 24 have uncontested elections, with only one candidate in each race. Republican Sen. Max Burns is running for re-election in District 23 and Republican Sen. Lee Anderson is running for re-election in District 24.

State House

District 126: Gloria Frazier - William C. Harris

Rep. Gloria Frazier, D-Hephzibah, is being challenged for the third time by retired Republican educator William C. Harris.

Harris, whose career in education spanned 37 years, taught at Glenn Hills High School for 18 years and The Academy of Richmond County for 10 years. He also acquired the rank of "major" in the U.S. Army Signal Corps.

Since Harris’ retirement in 2014, he has continued to stay in the classroom as a substitute teacher helping special needs children.

“There is a severe shortage as far as teachers and having difficulty getting good teachers in the classroom,” he said. “So I've been trying to fill that void. I really haven't missed any days of school since I retired.”

Harris said there are ties between his prior careers and politics.

“Life is about service and being an educator is a service,” he said. “I believe in working with young people, with a community as a whole, and you don't stop serving just because you're finished.

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"Being a part of the political world is another challenge, but it’s another way of serving. I just want to continue to serve the community in the best way that I know how ..."

Although it is Harris’ third time challenging Frazier, he said he feels confident with the redrawing of districts, he can win.

The newly redrawn District 126 is 62% Democratic and includes all of Jenkins County, Burke County and a very small portion of Richmond County.

Harris is on the executive board of the Richmond County Republican Party and is supported by Georgia Right to Life; Mayor-elect Garnett Johnson; Sen. Max Burns, who is running uncontested for re-election in Senate District 23; and Rep. Mark Newton, who is running uncontested for re-election in District 127.

In August 2014, Frazier retired from the Richmond County Board of Education Title 1 Office, where she served in administration, finance and accounting. She advocates for education, affordable healthcare and disability awareness.

Frazier formerly represented District 126 and was assigned to the Banks and Banking Committee, Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee, Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee, and Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.

The Augusta Chronicle reached out to Frazier for comment on her campaign, which she initially agreed to, but communication ceased before an interview could be arranged.

District 130: Lynn Gladney - Dan Swenson

There are two candidates in the running for District 130, previously represented by Rep. Sheila Nelson, D-Augusta. Democrat Lynn Gladney, the director of motor vehicle registration for the Richmond County Tax Commissioner, is competing with Dan Swenson, a local lawn business owner and member of the Richmond County Republican Committee.

Swenson said he never expected to run for office, but wants to see change.

"I never went to college. I worked super hard just to get my GED," Swenson said. "I never thought of myself running for office, but I do care about my community and I had to put down my fears to pick up my sword, to go fight for truth."

Among Swenson's concerns are the education system, specifically Critical Race Theory.

"I believe [it] splits us up because it's more racism for us. We don't want to teach kids about how to be racist and what racism is," he said. "We want to teach our kids how to read and that's the most important thing right now for these young people."

Swenson said he is also passionate about jail reform and challenging the current legal system.

Gladney was appointed to the Augusta Aviation Commission and advocates for veterans and the rights of voters, according to a previous reporting.

Gladney did not reply this past week to multiple attempts at seeking comment.

District 130, which includes east-southeast Richmond County, is heavily Democratic, with 69% of voters identifying as Democrats, according to the Princeton Gerrymandering Lab.

Districts 125, 127, 129, 131, 132: Elections in districts 125, 127, 129, 131 and 132 are uncontested. Republican Rep. Barry Fleming is running for re-election in District 125. Republican Rep. Mark Newton is running for re-election in District 127. Republican Rep. Jodi Lott is running for re-election in District 131. Democratic Rep. Brian L. Prince is running for re-election in District 132.

Democratic Rep. Henry "Wayne" Howard was unchallenged in seeking re-election in District 129, but he passed away last week. A special election will need to be held to fill the seat.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta candidates running for state senate, house seats: What to know