Elliot Valdez

Elliot Valdez served in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2016. He graduated from Lawton High School and attended Cameron University. His career experience includes working as a producer.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

After 14 years of active duty, I continued my service as a civilian, helping build the U.S. Army's multimedia production house and later serving as the Broadcast Team Lead for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I retired as a federal employee with the same sense of duty I had as a young sailor. Today, our political climate feels out of control, and I believe we are standing at a crossroads. This is a moment that will be written about in the history books, and we have a choice about which side of that history we will be on. It's a time for our voices to be unified, not just for our district, but for Georgia's future. This campaign isn't about making hollow promises; it's about taking action. It's about ensuring every single person in this district is registered and ready to make their voice heard. It's about fighting for the kind of responsible growth that brings new opportunities and good jobs to our communities, while protecting the natural character of this district that we all cherish. I'm not a career politician. I'm a veteran, a public servant, and a man who knows what it means to get the job done. I’m running for the Georgia House of Representatives because I believe our district deserves a leader with the personal courage to stand for what is right. It's time to turn the page on the old era of politics and write a new chapter for HD 139, one built on trust, unity, and a shared vision for a future where every family can flourish.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Sustainable Growth We must prioritize the growth of what we already have, specifically upgrading US 27 and Veterans Parkway from Muscogee County up through Harris County. The widening of this corridor is currently underway, with construction funds authorized for FY 2026 and completion expected in spring 2027. This $40 million investment is designed to improve safety and create alternate routes to the interstate, creating the physical capacity for commerce and connectivity. However, infrastructure alone does not guarantee community prosperity. What is actually growing along this corridor? Is it thriving towns with diverse opportunities, or are we seeing a proliferation of gas stations, liquor stores, fast food chains.Currently, Georgia's minimum wage is a national embarrassment, stuck at $5.15 per hour at the state level and $7.25 per hour federally, a rate that hasn't budged in years. The impact of this economic disparity is devastatingly clear in rural parts of our district, particularly in Harris County, a major geographic area that lacks hospitals and relies entirely on volunteer fire departments. In these communities, the high cost of living is a direct threat to public safety and health. When families cannot afford basic necessities, the rural economy suffers, and the gap between the wealthy and the working poor widens. The current administration is not ready or equipped to handle positive growth and change.Environmental Conservation: The push for data centers in Georgia is a dangerous economic gamble that ignores the long-term damage to our communities. Contrary to the promises of an economic boom, data centers are not long-term job engines. Most of the employment they generate is temporary and rooted solely in construction, with very few permanent, local jobs created once the facility is operational and automated. Furthermore, these facilities are not built in remote locations; we are seeing them proposed directly between residential developments. In rural areas, the strategy is predatory: companies purchase land abutting city limits and then seek annexation to access city utilities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The legalization of medicinal and/or recreational marijuana in the state of Georgia. Creating commerce infrastructure and initiatives for farm and small businesses owners in marijuana cultivation and distribution, while preserving local land for agricultural use against large business data centers. 40 out of 50 states have medical cannabis laws, and 24 have legalized recreational use, representing a major trend in liberalization that Georgia is immensely behind on.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Fighting 50