Kandiss Taylor

Kandiss Taylor was born in Baxley, Georgia. She received a bachelor's degree in 2003, a master's degree in 2005, and a specialist's degree in 2006 from Georgia Southern University. She also received a Ph.D. from Regent University in 2014. Taylor's professional experience includes working as a student services coordinator and she has been certified in early childhood teaching and in school counseling. She has been affiliated with the Professional Association of Georgia Educators.[1]

Kandiss Taylor did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Kandiss Taylor did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Taylor's campaign website stated the following:

Gun Rights

#1 Rule of gun safety: Carry one

As your Governor, I will ensure that every Georgian maintains their constitutional right to protect themselves— a right written into the foundation of our country as the 2nd amendment. Without the ability to bear arms we are vulnerable to a tyrannical government. Constitutional carry will be my first order of business as your Georgia Governor.

Election Reform

Voting is our highest right

I am the only candidate fighting for election integrity. We can’t expect fraud to go away by using the same process we did in the 2020 election. As your governor, I will secure our elections by removing Dominion machines and drop boxes. The people of Georgia want paper ballots.

Immigration

Let ICE do their job!

Quit handcuffing our immigration and customs enforcement officers. No Sanctuary Cities or Counties in Georgia. Protect our GA ports of entry.

Education

Our children come first

Critical Race Theory, Comprehensive Sex Education, and Social Emotional Learning have no place in our Georgia schools. These programs are rooted in oppression, making students feel victimized and uncomfortable. We must protect our children and establish a learning environment where they can practice patriotism.

Pro Life

Jesus came to bring abundant life

As your Georgia Governor, I will ceaselessly defend the right to life for all children in Georgia, from the moment they begin to develop, and make sure that they have abundant opportunities to thrive in this beautiful state. Life begins at conception which is why I intend to not only criminalize abortion when there’s a heartbeat, but when there is any proof of pregnancy at all.

Economy

Our workforce is powerful

I intend to focus on Georgia Grown, infrastructure, and economic development across the state. One of the largest industries in our state economy is farming. Not only is agriculture vital to the wellbeing and survival of Georgians, but 1/7 of the jobs in this state are in the farming sector. I will give farmers the attention and aid that they deserve because, without them, there would be no Georgia.

[2]

—Kandiss Taylor[3]

Video for [the profile publisher]

Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased March 4, 2020

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Dr. Kandiss Taylor is a lifelong resident of Appling County. She is a 3 time graduate of Georgia Southern University with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education, a master's in School Counseling, and a specialist in School Counseling. She received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University in Virginia Beach. Currently, Dr. Taylor serves as the Student Services Coordinator for the Appling County Board of Education. She began her career in public education 17 years ago as a 3rd grade teacher and went on to spend years as a school counselor. She is the wife of Ryan Taylor and the mother of 3 children.

She served as the county leader for Dr. Ben Carson's presidential campaign in 2016.

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 middle class. I am a normal American just like the voters of Georgia. I will be pushing for a Fair Tax and term limits for Congress.I care deeply about education and teachers having the autonomy to teach without hindrance.Farming is a vital industry to Georgia, and farmers must be protected. They need to be paid for their commodities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Fair tax, Education, Farming, Mental Health, Protecting Social Security, and meeting the needs of our Veterans.

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

In regards to life, I look up to my mama most. She is the perfect example to follow in her kindness to others and giving nature. My mama has shaped me into who I am today by grounding me in the Gospel. Knowing who I am is the single most important determinate in who I will be in government.

In regards to politics, Dr. Ben Carson is the one who breathed life into a dream of running for office that I have always had in my heart. He spoke at my graduation ceremony when I received my Ph.D. Dr. Carson encouraged us to take part in government to prevent losing our democracy as we know it. Our founding fathers desired everyday Americans in office; not just career politicians and lawyers. I look up to Dr. Carson's character and moral code as well as his love of continuous learning.

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

Any of Dr. Ben Carson's books. I agree with his views on pretty much everything. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speeches have always compelled me to examine situations more carefully and intentionally.

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

Fair, honest, loyal, good listener, strong communicator, able to confront with dignity and tact

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

I am a first born child and very independent. I am a natural leader and know my strengths as well as my weaknesses. I am a lifelong learner and understand the necessity of growth and open-mindedness. I am a fighter of truth and fairness and a fixer by nature of relationships.

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

To protect the interests of "the people." To be the voice of the "the people." To fight for justice and reform for "the people."

What legacy would you like to leave?

To be remembered as one who spoke up for truth, ensured fairness, protected liberty, led by example, and always kept Christ first.

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

The one that sticks out the most to me is September 11, 2001. I was a junior at Georgia Southern University and was driving to my 9 am education class. I remember the frantic voices coming over the air waves on my car radio. I didn't even know what the Twin Towers were in New York City. I rushed into my class and told my professor. She immediately turned on the news for all of our class to watch. The class was silent. We were in shock and praying silently to ourselves. One of my classmate's father was a General working at the Pentagon, and when the plane hit there, we were all stunned. Immediately, she called to make sure her father was okay. He didn't answer the call, but later, we found out he was safe. For days, we watched the news and sat in devastation as we heard of the countless lives lost. This event will be with me always.

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

I worked in a local beauty shop in my small, South Georgia town. I washed hair, swept hair off the floor, washed, folded, and put up towels, ran errands, answered the phone, made appointments, and any other task I needed to accomplish. I worked there for the duration of high school and sometimes on weekends when I came home from college. My senior year of high school, I participated in the work based learning program, and I was employed at the Appling County Sheriff's Office as a secretary. I worked there for over a year typing incident and accident reports, logging tickets, answering the telephone, and making mail runs. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with law enforcement and still have friends who work there.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers because redemption is spelled out so beautifully in this novel based on a Biblical Story. I have fought for sexually abused children all my career, and this novel shows the redemptive nature of God and what He has in store for those whose innocence is stripped away.

Can I pick 2?

Dorothy from Wizard of Oz. She helped everyone she met along the way to find what they needed in life even when the power they searched for, initially, turned out to be fake. She didn't let that deter her but helped them see the strength within, and she always remembered the importance of going home. I will always come home to Georgia and will make every decision with Georgia on my mind.

Scarlett O'Hara-A true Georgian who loved her state to no end. She is a fighter and didn't let any man or obstacle beat her. I love her outlook on life and her famous quote that "Tomorrow is another day!"

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

"The Man" by Taylor Swift

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

I have faced a vast amount of challenges in my life and have always overcame them with determination, prayer, and tenacity. The most recent struggle has been the diagnosis of my 12 year old daughter's type one diabetes. She almost died this past Halloween before we had her taken by ambulance for treatment at a children's hospital. We have learned more than we ever wanted to know about this autoimmune disorder and what healthy eating, exercise, and blood sugar control looks like on a minute by minute basis. She is doing great and is a fighter like her mama.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Healthcare restructuring to ensure we can face a pandemic with greater efficiency. The national debt was already entirely too high, and now, with COVID-19, we've added so much more. This has to be dealt with, and a fair tax must be enacted.

Ensuring the farming industry is saved, more profitable, and stable. Mental healthcare in America needs some restructuring to ensure we meet the needs of a growing population.

What qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The U.S. Senate is unique in that each state has an equal voice not based on how large the state is geographically or in population. The U.S. Senate has the sole power to conduct impeachment trials. Because the U.S. Senate has an equal voice for each state, the legislature receives a different balance of importance than in the House. Our founding fathers were visionaries, and this is just one example of their unique vision for the future of our great country.

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

Our founding fathers created our democracy to be ran for the people by the people. Million and billionaires, lawyers, and career politicians are not "by the people." They are part of an elite group of the population not representative of the masses. Common, middle class Americans have been busy feeding their families and paying their taxes, and they have allowed these elitist to dominate our government and politics. This was definitely not how our founding fathers envisioned our democracy to work, and this is exactly why the middle class is not represented well.

No, there is little to no benefit for senators to have previous experience being corrupted, controlled, bought off, or manipulated. We need hardworking, everyday Americans to be our voice in D.C.

What do you think of the filibuster?

A filibuster is a creative measure to prevent or delay a vote. I would exercise my right to use a filibuster to prevent something coming to vote that was not in the best interest of the people. I am thankful we have this in our tool belt.

What criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees?

The appointee's experience, moral code, training or education, and intent.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other senators?

Absolutely! Our government was created to function as branches of the same tree. We are not to be only a red and blue argument, but to function as iron sharpens iron to ensure the people are represented. Strong working relationships between all senators are vital to the success of our Nation. Division has been here long enough.

If you are not a current senator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Education, Mental Health, Farming, Tax Reform, Social Security, Veteran Affairs

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. Senate, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

Of course! I would be open to any role, but I would aspire to be floor leader. I would love to go head to head with Nancy Pelosi.

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

Not really. If I have to choose one, I agree with Marco Rubio on most of his budget and economy stances, abortion on demand, and some civil rights issues. However, I differ on gun control, education, and other things. It is difficult to choose one to model myself after. I will model myself after Jesus. He is the only perfect human to ever live.