Former State Representative Elena Parent Seeks Carter's Senate Seat

Get the Cell Out - ATL has learned that the seat in the Georgia Senate (District 42) that will be vacated by Sen. Jason Carter so that he can run for Governor is being sought by someone already familiar to area residents, former state Representative Elena Parent.  

It was not too long ago that Elena Parent and Scott Holcomb found themselves in a gerrymandered predicament when their districts were redrawn so as they would be required to run against one another.  The two met and determined that Holcomb should be the one to move forward at the time.  The two made the decision "amicably," according to a press release from the Georgia House Democrats.  At the time, Parent moved to "Georgia Watch," a consumer advocacy group.  

But, she's baaaack and she's bringing some much needed female democratic opinions with her, if elected.  Get the Cell Out first became familiar with Parent during the 2011-12 effort put forth by Rep. Dr. Karla Drenner to stop cell phone towers from being placed on school grounds.  At the time, Parent, Holcomb and most other Representatives signed on to the bill that would have been a national headline maker for DeKalb County.  DeKalb would have been the first local political district to officially place the lives and health of children before big business and technology when it comes to the practice of allowing cell towers on school grounds in exchange for funds with questionable contract terms. 

Drenner's ban would have required cell phone companies to follow the same rules as anyone else wanting to secure a building permit for the placement of their structures, which would have made most of the public schools off limits.  DeKalb has strict ordinances already in place regarding what can and cannot go into a residential area in terms of transmission towers, and the county requires certain setback and other safety requirements. To date, it remains a closely guarded secret whether or not the school board of today is obligated to uphold the contracts signed by the now-removed school board from 2011-2012.

Now Sen. Jason Carter will be giving up his seat and so Parent is back in the news, hoping to fill his shoes if elected.   The winner of the May 20 primary will face Republican Gregory E. “Greg” Williams, who is running unopposed for his party’s nomination.

You can visit Parent's website by clicking here.  To see if your home is in this district, see the map above. 

To influence the outcome of the November general elections, you can vote on May 20th in the primaries.  In addition to the school board members you will be voting on, if you choose the political party ballot that influences your area the most, you can also vote for or against Elena Parent and others who will be running for the spots in the state Senate and House, ultimately voting on bills that will impact your area.  EARLY VOTING is already underway!