Eric Gisler

Eric Gisler was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He earned a high school diploma from Jonesboro High School and a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia in 1999. His career experience includes working as a product manager.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am the incumbent representative in GA House District 121. I have lived within the current district boundaries for the last 23 years, in both Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties. I'm the father of 2 college aged children, a small business owner, and I have worked in Information Technology for 26 years.

I ran for office because I think the state of Georgia, and the country as a whole, are on the wrong path under current leadership. I am not heavily ideological and I have proven in my short time in office that I make decisions based on sound, objective data and defensible logic.

I have had at least one town hall every month since being sworn in, and during the legislative session I published a weekly ad showing constituents how I voted and why I voted the way I did. I pride myself on accessibility and transparency because that's the way a representative should be.

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?

I'm focused on what matters. I have little time and patience for partisan talking points that are only meant to divide, confuse, and distract. Georgia residents are dealing with historically high cost of living pressures and the party that has been in control for 22 years straight does not seem interested in addressing the problem.Focusing on what matters means doing something to help the millions of Georgians who cannot access healthcare, whether it is because they can't afford insurance, or because their community simply has no providers. This could take the form of expanding Medicaid, creating state-run public options, or any number of other ideas, but something must be done, now.Focusing on what matters means strengthening public education. Our funding formula is outdated and wasn't really right when it was created. State funding for K-12 education is inadequate, which has lead to higher property taxes around the state and a huge difference in the quality of public education, depending highly on a student's zip code.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about many policy areas. Healthcare, education, workforce development, fair taxation, and others. The one I am most passionate about is elections and voting, because that impacts everything else. I want to establish an Independent Redistricting Commission to reduce or eliminate gerrymandering in the state, and I also want to carry the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact legislation in the 2027 session, to allow the winner of the popular vote for President to assume office.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Many of our founders, maybe I'd like to follow George Washington. Not because he was a great general or the first president, but because he stepped down after serving when he was needed. If I can get a few things done to help make the state better, I would be happy to move on to something else.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Service to constituents, accessibility, transparency.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To make the best decisions possible for your constituents, and be willing to discuss those decisions with constituents who may not agree.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to inspire more people to get into government for the right reasons. Serving the people is the reason to do this, not prestige or business contacts.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked at a local golf course for a few years, parking golf carts, picking up range balls, and ultimately working on the grounds crew. I worked there for about 3 years.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Going through a divorce was very tough, and it was traumatic for my kids. Those years were very tough, but eventually, we all got through and I am even friendly with my ex-wife now. She's actually a campaign supporter!

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Ideally, a governor and legislature should be collaborative. The relationship should be based on respect for the people in both branches, but also on the responsibilities and role of each office.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Partisan gerrymandering. It has been working against the true vision of what this country is supposed to be since the beginning, and it has taken hold very much in Georgia. It has also lead to the severe partisanship that we all see today.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Of course. Sometimes, you have to compromise your ideal policy goal to get a little closer to it. Good policy happens when people are able to talk to each other, listen to each other, and build good relationships.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Georgia Association of Educators, Georgia Equality, 3.14 Action Fund, Fair Fight, Georgia Conservation Voters, Georgia Majority for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action, National Democratic Redistricting Committee, Red Clay Democrats, others coming soon.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

Probably the Challenger disaster. I was watching it live on TV and everyone was so excited to see a teacher in space. I remember the room going silent when the explosion happened. It was the first national disaster I remember.

Eric Gisler did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2025 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a 21 year resident of what is currently GA House District 121, living about half of that time in Athens-Clarke County and the rest in Oconee county. I have 2 children, both in college, who both graduated from Oconee County Schools.

I have worked in financial technology for most of the last 25 years and I am also a business owner. I own and operate The Olive Basket, a local store selling olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and gourmet food products (including gelato!)

I have not always been a Democrat. For most of my adult life I have considered myself very politically independent. That all changed when Trump was elected in 2016. I got involved in local Democratic politics in the summer of 2017 as the Trump administration began ICE crackdowns all over the country.

I believe that everyone deserves dignity and a fair chance at success in this country, regardless of their ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or skin color.

I believe that 20 years straight of Republican rule in this state has produced a system that does not support most Georgians' interest, and I plan to work across the aisle and fight for good policy for all Georgians.

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?

The GOP has controlled the State House, State Senate, and Governor's mansion since 2004. Twenty full years.

They like to say we are #1 for business, but we are among the worst when it comes to workers, healthcare access, healthcare costs, housing costs, and education. That means we are #1 for business owners, not for people who work for a living.

The state legislature controls so many things related to the everyday lives of Georgians. It can be so much better.In 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned 49 years of legal precedent in Roe vs. Wade. Georgia did not waste any time enacting one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country.

I want to repeal the 6 Week Abortion Ban ASAP and implement protections for Reproductive Freedom, including abortion, IVF, and contraception access. I would like to see this become a state constitutional amendment so it can be ratified by the voters of the state.I am a passionate advocate for voting reform. In the past few years, the MAGA GOP has used "election integrity" to dismantle our election systems and try to rig the outcomes for their party.

I want to repeal SB202, the law that led to the changes in the State Election Board that threaten to throw the November results into chaos.

I also want to create an independent redistricting commission, so that politicians are not choosing voters. The GOP has been gerrymandering districts for years, and yes the Democrats did it before them. It is time to take this foundational function away from politicians and focus on creating fair and competitive districts.

In addition, I would favor implementing ranked choice voting.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As mentioned, I am passionate about expanding Medicaid and getting rid of the failed and expensive Pathways program.

I am also passionate about protecting women's health and reproductive freedoms in general.

I want to work to protect our LGBTQ+ citizens from discrimination and attacks. I believe y'all means all, and everyone deserves basic human dignity and the freedom to live their life on their own terms.

I want to repeal the recent School Vouchers bill and revisit our QBE formula for education, that has not been updated since 1985. School vouchers only serve to help middle & upper income families move out of failing schools, leaving others to suffer.

I will also work to implement common sense gun legislation.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

There are plenty of people that I look up to that provide inspiration for different aspects of life. Politically, I think George Washington has to be the first. He wasn't perfect, but he set the standard for the nation by stepping down after 2 terms. He could have been a king. He could have served until he died. But he chose to pass the torch instead and that is incredibly rare in political figures.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

I don't have any one media source, no.

I am a bit of a history buff and I have read the biographies of many founding fathers, I've read several books about the Constitutional convention and the founding of the country, including the entire Federalist Papers. (Don't give me a test, it's been a while).

Interestingly enough, I think one of the best TV shows in the relatively recent past for understanding government is the Battlestar Galactica series with Edward James Olmos. It is a great look into the role of government, plus it has cool robots.

We are all guided by the media we consume, but when I think about political philosophy of media sources, I like to think that they have shaped my views, but I don't follow any of them blindly.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I believe integrity, honesty, and finding value in serving others are most important in an elected official.

We live in a modern world that is constantly changing. New ideas, new perspective, and new data are constantly coming in. To serve in an elected office, one must be able to process information, know the right questions to ask, rely on experts in their fields, and make the best possible decision. These days, understanding quality information and telling it apart from misinformation is equally as important, if not more so.

Too many people believe that a politician must be true to some ideology or party platform above all else, but I do not believe that is what our founders intended at all.

Honestly looking at the facts of any given situation, giving them thorough thought, following up on critical pieces of information that are required to make the right decision. Doing all of these are what it means to serve as an elected official with integrity.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I think I have a wide breadth of experience to draw on. In college I studied science, but I then got into technology. I started out as more of a technician, the moved into operations, management, and product management. More recently I have learned a great deal about AI and Machine Learning.

I am a natural learner and am constantly challenging myself by learning new things. A legislator will need to make informed decisions about votes on a wide range of issues and I think I have a history of doing just that.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I think that someone elected to the office of State Representative has a responsibility to be available to citizens and community groups. As a representative of the people, an official must listen to everyone, even those that they disagree with. It is fine to disagree, but citizens deserve a real answer to their concerns.

I believe that when making decisions that impact the everyday lives of all Georgians, a state representative must do everything they can to fully understand the impact of their decision and it's impact on Georgian's lives, not only in their district, but all around the state.

What legacy would you like to leave?

If elected, I want to be remembered as someone who was kind, compassionate, dedicated to the truth, and full of integrity.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I think it was the 1986 Challenger explosion. I was 9 years old and I remember it because it was my little brother's birthday. We were all watching it live on TV and we thought it was cool that a teacher was getting to go into space.

Unfortunate that traumatic events are so easily memorable.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked at a golf course where I was the guy driving the ball pick up cart at the driving range. I was mostly a moving target for golfers on the driving range.

I held that job for two years I think.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams.

The story is funny and zany, but the way Douglas Adams writes is just pure genius. I've read everything he's ever written.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

When I was a kid I wanted to be Maverick from Top Gun. Flying fighter jets would be awesome, though I'm not sure I could handle it these days. Haha

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Oh man. I was at the DNC in the Georgia delegation and came away with Lil Jon "Get Low" stuck in my head for days. Haha

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

The hardest thing I've had to go through was my divorce. I never expected to have to do it, and it was quite a personal journey.

I learned a lot about what I can and can't control and how to let things go when necessary.

In the end, everything worked out for the better for me, my kids, and for my ex.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Cooperative. I believe that if the Governor has legislative ideas, he or she should partner with the legislature to come up with legislation that can be agreeable to both institutions, even if they are run by different parties.

I also believe that works the other way, with the legislature passing bills that the Governor will not veto because the legislature represents the will of the people.

That said, I don't think this is possible today because the legislature is populated with Senators and Representatives from gerrymandered districts. The true will of the people is not being reflected in the bills being passed by the current legislature.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

There is no question that Georgia is growing, and growing fast. And it is not just metro Atlanta. Growth is good, but it brings growing pains.

Our number one issue today is housing costs, and it is a simple supply and demand problem. More housing units need to be built cost effectively and that will take time, so I see this issue lingering for a while into the next decade.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Not necessarily. I think a background in government can probably help a legislature get "up to speed" on the mechanics of the position faster, and experience in politics can help them win an election, but I also believe that having representation from all walks of life builds diversity of thought and opinion. I believe that diversity leads to the best outcomes.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Of course. The legislature is a collaborative body, tasked with passing legislation that impacts the entire state. In order to pass good, effective legislation it is not only beneficial, but necessary to build relationships with fellow legislators, even those outside your party or caucus.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I can think of a few. In the current GA Assembly, I think Saira Draiper does an excellent job of communicating updates from the legislature to her constituents. I also see Dr. Michelle Au, and Ruwa Roman doing great work getting important messages out.

Longer term, and at the federal level, Senator John McCain was a good legislator who put his country first in everything, something to be admired even if I didn't always agree with his policy positions. In a similar vain, Rep. Liz Cheney and Rep. Adam Kinzinger taught us all a lesson in integrity by holding true to their values in the face of immense pressure from their own party.

I also have to say that Joe Biden's very long record as a US Senator is a great example of integrity over a long period of time. He was able to accept changes in society, new data, and new perspectives to change his approach to legislation, which is a very valuable trait.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

I don't know. I am focused on this race right now.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I was speaking with a physician who was telling me a second hand story from an OBGYN she knows. The OBGYN was called into the emergency room for a pregnant woman who was having a miscarriage recently and the ER staff had stabilized her, but were unwilling to perform the procedure necessary for her because the "heartbeat" was still detectible.

The OB immediately performed the procedure and saved the woman's life, but she is now unable to have children.

This has been since the 6 Week Abortion Ban went into effect here in Georgia.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Favorite for a public forum:

Knock knock

Who's there?

Interrupting Cow

Interrupti....

Moooo!

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

I do not subscribe to extremes, so I can't say no, never.

If an emergency situation is extreme enough, it may be necessary to grant emergency powers to an executive, but only with a well-defined expiration date or end state. Granting emergency powers is very dangerous in a Republic. We do not want a Caesar in Georgia.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

I would like to introduce a bill to create an independent redistricting commission to draw district lines for US House, State House, and State Senate districts.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

So far:

- National Democratic Redistricting Committee

- Georgia Equality

- United Campus Workers of Georgia

- Reproductive Freedom For All

- Moms Demand Action (Pending, but should be coming)

- Parker Short

- My daughter

What committees interest you?

Energy, Utilities, & Telecommunications

Ethics

Game, Fish, & Parks

Health

Judiciary

Juvenile Justice

Public Health and Homeland Security

Regulated Industries

Small Business Development

Technology and Infrastructure Innovation

Transportation

Ways & Means

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I think Citizens United is one of the worst things to ever happen to this country.

The amount of money spent on elections in this country - particularly at the federal level - is criminal. Dark money in politics is a dark stain on American democracy. Unlimited contributions from undisclosed mega donors is leading us directly to an oligarchy if we can't change course.

As far as state politics, my opponent currently has $400K in the bank. That makes any challenge difficult, but I aim to show that dollar bills do not vote. And if I get elected, I would be interested in changing the rules about money in politics in the state of Georgia.

Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?

Because of the outrageous gerrymandering in the state right now, it would be good because it would allow citizens to overrule the will of a legislature that does not represent their interests.

If we had fairer and more competitive districts, I don't know that a state ballot initiative would be necessary, but I would not oppose it.