Jenny Eppard

Jenny Eppard served in the U.S. Air Force from 1995 to 2003.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a retired Federal employee and former Air Force member. I have lived in the CSRA since 1997 and in Evans, GA, since 2006. My husband and I raised our three sons in Evans.

During my career in Federal service, I served as a technical leader in the Department of Defense, providing our National leaders with the most comprehensive and objective analysis on global topics. I built collaborative coalitions across sites throughout the US and with international partners. I developed implemented strategies to improve government capabilities and focus on root cause solutions.

Following retirement in October 2025, I have focused on the State political landscape. I believe that government should serve the citizens and that elected officials should maintain a servant-leader philosophy.

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?

Georgia must be ready to take care of itself.

The Federal Government has decided to withdraw from key public services that Georgia citizens rely on: Emergency Management and Recovery, Healthcare, and Labor protections. Our State Government, therefore, must step up coverage-- improving investment in Emergency prevention, preparedness, and recovery; expanding rural health access and state participation in Medicaide/Medicare; and establishing a minimum wage indexed to the State wage average and adjusted annually for cost of living. Wage reform should also rebuild our middle class with expanded, updated wage tables covering all skilled and professional careers.Georgia must take steps to mitigate AI disruption for our citizens. We all agree that data centers need to be put on hold, while we ensure that they do not overburden our infrastructures and do not put a cost burden on our residents. Just as importantly, we must address the AI disruption to entry and mid-level jobs across a broad range of careers. Our young citizens are being shut out of those early career jobs that they need to build future expertise and to establish themselves in our economy. AI companies and businesses using AI should be investing in a Georgia fund to retrain and reallocate our workforce into jobs that will lead to careers equivalent in value to our society and in meaning to our workers.Georgia has the power to reform how we approach health care insurance and provider costs. We've seen insurance premiums sky rocket over the past 2 decades while at the same time facing increasing limits on care because of network restrictions and pre-authorization hurdles. Georgia can establish healthcare as a utility-- a regulated service controlled by an elected board-- that still allows a capitalist/private model, but sets consistent and reasonable rates and access requirements for insurers and providers operating in our state.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My "emergency" issue for public policy is reforming election laws in the state. Election integrity in a democracy-- our democratic republic-- means that all citizens who have the right to vote should 1) be registered to vote; 2) easily cast their vote; and 3) be encouraged to vote. The higher our voter turnout, the healthier our democracy is.

Along the same lines, voters should be able to see themselves in their representatives. Georgia should redesign federal elections (President, Congress) so that voters vote across the state instead of in districts. This would result in more representative candidates instead of cookie-cutters from the same old groups. ... And yes, gerrymandering should be right out for State districts.

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

Barak Obama epitomized the model of an analyst-leader, one who weighed options carefully and always chose for the best outcome, as he understood it, for the American people.

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

Service before self. Integrity and objectivity.

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

We are hired by our constituents to put in place laws that will guard their physical and economic safety. We must solicit input before we make decisions and communicate the rationale behind the decisions we do make.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to ensure that Georgia citizens have the opportunity to build meaningful careers and community and can participate as full and equal members or our society through a healthy representative democracy.

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

My mom had me volunteering at age 7, the Molly Brown House in Denver as a page. My first paying job was at Burger King as a 14 year old in Hayward, California. I was irritated, because I had to wear a green shirt and everyone else had a red shirt. California had strict child labor laws, and the managers wanted no questions about what time they had to send us green-shirt kids home each day.

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

I have had a very good life, and I try to keep this good fortune at the forefront of my mind in everything I do, because it's just that-- hard work, of course, but a lot of good fortune. I have had instances here and there when things have gone poorly; we all have. Some of those were serious (my mom and I lived in poverty for a while while I was growing up) and some of those (like figuring out tight finances and parenting) were part of growing and maturing. I do not think I would consider anything a sustained struggle. They are challenges, and facing them leads to an outcome, hopefully for the better.

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

Collaborative. The Governor is a full time position-- State representatives are a part-time position in Georgia. The Governor has a much better picture of what all of the State if facing than legislators do. At the same time, legislators do have localized and focused expertise that can augment some of the holes in the executive big-picture approach. The legislature should listen to the executive needs and should provide a check on politicized wants.

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

The changing job market-- making sure all Georgians can make a living wage in an AI world.

Reduced Federal support for everything-- we will have to have serious conversations about funding basic needs like emergency management/recovery, education, healthcare, infrastructure.

Environmental shifts and degraded agricultural capabilities, including fisheries as well as farms.

Water! Water! Water! My district may not be pressed on the water front yet, but the northern part of Georgia is already facing serious water supply challenges. And my district is not at the head of our main water supply. We will also find we need to negotiate.

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

Yes. Necessary and desirable. And wise. And mature.

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

I was one of those kids sitting in class in front of the rolled-in TV when the Challenger exploded. I think that event shaped our entire collective memory.