Renita Duncan

Renita Duncan was born in Chicago, Illinois. She served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1988 to 2023 and has also served in the U.S. Air Force. Duncan earned a high school diploma from Copperas Cove High School. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Arkansas at Grantham in 2011, a bachelor's degree in operations management from Southwestern College in 2014, and a master's degree in human behavior studies from Capella University in 2016. Duncan’s career experience includes working as a violence prevention integrator in the Air Force.[1][2][3]

Duncan has been affiliated with Harvest Rock Downtown Los Angeles, Peace Over Violence, and Living Water.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Renita Duncan, and I’m running for Georgia House, District 147. I’m a single mother, a grandmother, a retired Command Sergeant Major, and a 35-year public servant who’s worked every level of government—from the front lines of military service to the front desks of social services. I know what service looks like, and I know what our neighbors need because I live and see it daily. We are more alike than we are different. We are not the 1%. We are the single young adult going to work or school striving for stability and that promised future, we are working families, small business owners, and farmers. We are schoolteachers, parents with households to support, and we are senior citizens making the choice between a medical subscription or a meal. We want wages and job security that match the real cost of living, and affordable healthcare that is protected by Georgia for Georgians. I am the voice in the statehouse that answers to constituents, not special interests. This campaign is about our community. Our diverse and growing community; our representation should reflect that reality and focus on our rural needs with practical present-day solutions. I Know strategic positioning can obtain measurable results, I am a servant leader, and I am ready to advocate for HD-147. I am Hope in Action and I’m asking you join me.

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?

Living wage and economic security for our residents: Too many families in District 147 work full time and still fall behind. For 30 years wages have lagged while costs rise; Georgia’s right to work rules and corporate tax breaks have left working families paying the price. A $7.25 federal minimum wage no longer reflects reality. I will fight for a living wage, real job security, and local economic policies that grow good jobs, protect workers, and ensure families can afford housing, healthcare, and a future here.Protect Affordable Accessible Health Care: Affordable healthcare is a human right. No household should have to choose between medication and a meal, between a doctor's visit and keeping the lights on. Too many residents in this rural district face high premiums, limited local providers, and shrinking access to the care they need. I will advocate for expanded community health resources, reduced out-of-pocket costs, and full protection of every patient's right to make their own medical decisions without government interference.Expand Rural Transit Access: I will introduce legislation to expand rural transit access so veterans and underserved residents can get to work, medical appointments, and essential services. My bills will create state grants for local shuttle and demand response services, authorize pilot ride share partnerships with clinics and employers, and fund veterans’ transportation assistance. I will prioritize funding and accountability, so transit investments deliver measurable access and job stability for our rural communities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

FREEDOM & DEMOCRACY, the reason I run. Women Lead, & Women lead well. Right now, Women's rights are in critical jeopardy, and that danger grows daily through executive orders and lawsuits challenging our 14th & 19th Amendment protections. I directly oppose the SAVE Act and stand firmly for every woman's right to her own reproductive choices. The six-week requirement imposed on Georgia women is unreasonable and cruel for many women, especially for survivors of assault, or living in domestic violence & women who face medical complications. All women are not made the same and we have proven that we are the most capable of making responsible life changing decisions that impact our lives and our families without government influence.

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

In 2021 I named Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as my most inspirational leader because his work shaped the movement I relate to. Today the leader who most deeply guides my politics is the Honorable Shirley Chisholm. Her courage, clarity, and refusal to be silenced taught me what it means to be unapologetically for the people. Chisholm broke barriers as the first Black woman elected to Congress and as the first Black major party candidate for president. Her motto “Unbought and Unbossed” is more than a slogan for me; it is a promise to put principle over power and people over profit. I was a two-year-old girl living in our segregated South side of Chicago IL. when she spoke Truth to Power and paved the way for me to fight so hard for the opportunity to represent our community with excellence.

Like Chisholm, I will fight relentlessly for economic justice, quality education, and civil rights while building coalitions across communities. I draw strength from her example: to speak plainly, to stand firm for those too often ignored, and to lead with service at the center. I carry her legacy into this campaign as a commitment to be a representative who listens, who acts, and who refuses to trade our future for special interests.

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

I ground my public service in my Faith & in the Army values—loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage and I stand on them personally and professionally. I believe the core characteristic of our next HD-147 representative should be accountable for bringing these characteristics with them to the Statehouse in a transparent manner.

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

As your candidate, I believe your State Representative’s job is to SERVE, PROTECT, and DELIVER for every constituent in HD-147. While I won’t share my entire playbook below are priority responsibilities I bring as your representative in the Statehouse:

1. I will Represent constituents first-I will listen to and provide avenues of communication between District continuants and my office.

2. I will Introduce and pass practical legislation that positively impacts our constituents' bottom line-Problem solving & lawmaking

3. I will Protect democracy and ensure transparency of our policy making process

4. I will Promote economic security and opportunity

5. I will Defend accessible public services and health care

6. I will Ensure public safety and infrastructure-Keeping communities safe and connected

7. Provide oversight and fiscal responsibility-Watch the budget: scrutinize spending, demand measurable outcomes for taxpayer dollars, and prioritize investments that deliver clear benefits to District 147.

I believe in reciprocity and thus, understand that I am not making decisions for myself along, but am the voice of HD-147.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Georgia Win List

Her Term

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Renita Duncan , Single mother, veteran, concerned citizen and your non-partisan champion. I am running to be your representative in California Senate District 30 in the special election March 2, 2021.

I am tired of the polarizing two party battle where nobody is standing as the voice of the people in the middle. I aim to act. I am running for the people and to be the voice of the people.

I have over 20 years of public and military service. I understand government, I understand programs and I understand creating strategies for change. I will be your voice for transformation in our district. I will fight for you.

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?

TruthIntegrityTransparency

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Economic Empowerment for Families and Businesses (Entrepreneurship)

Education Reform/reopening our schools safely post-COVID

Collaborative Community & Law Enforcement Reform

Accountability of Homeless & Homeless Veteran Initiatives

Transparency & Accountability of Government Officials (Accountability of Government funded Contracts)

Pro-life (80% of Abortion facilities are located

Criminal Justice reform