Sonya Halpern

Sonya Halpern was born in Atlanta, Georgia.[1] Halpern earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts and an M.B.A. from the University of Hartford.[2] Her career experience includes working in executive roles with the YMCA, YWCA, President's Advisory Committee on the Arts, Electing Women Alliance Atlanta, Atlanta School for the Arts Foundation, Public Broadcasting Atlanta, and South Arts.[1][2]

Sonya Halpern did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Sonya Halpern did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Sonya Halpern did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My experience includes leadership roles in both the private and public sector. I worked with ESPN and Cox Enterprises early in my career before moving on to advocacy work in education, the arts, and politics. I have now spent the better part of the last 20 years working with community organizations and nonprofits throughout Senate District 39. That work has included being the founding co-chair of the Electing Women Alliance Atlanta, a founding member of the Atlanta School for the Arts Foundation, and an Executive Committee member of YMCA of Metro Atlanta. In these roles, I have come face to face with the myriad problems that arise from poor policy decisions at the state level, from lack of healthcare access to crippling poverty. I realized that the only way to create meaningful change is at the state level. I have spent decades fighting the symptoms of bad policy that leaves so many people behind - now I'm ready to tackle the issues head on.

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?

Everyone should have access to quality, affordable health care.Every child should be able to get a good public education, regardless of where they were born. All workers should receive a livable wage.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I'm personally passionate about five key areas of public policy - health care, education, economic equality, criminal justice reform, and voting rights. I believe all of these policy challenges intertwine and must all be addressed to ensure that the people of my district and my state have the opportunity to live healthy, happy lives.

At this particular moment in time, we also must address the COVID-19 crisis which has done so much damage to people's health and stability. Expanding Medicaid would be the single most beneficial policy in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic as it would bring health care coverage to the hundreds of thousands of people for whom COVID-19 presents the greatest threat. It is also essential that we bolster funding for struggling hospitals across the state so that they can afford critical supplies. We must ensure that they are also prepared for vaccine distribution once it becomes available. Once the pandemic is in check, I will fight for policies which close the gaps that made this pandemic into one of the greatest crises of the 21st century.

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

The most important qualities for an elected official are their ability to connect with the people of their district and the skills to navigate complex challenges in government.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy of creating new opportunities to succeed for the people of my district. Right now, too many people are held back by a lack of health care, inability to get a good education, and low wages. We have a responsibility to do better for the people who are struggling in our district.

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

It is absolutely beneficial to build relationships with other legislators. Over the last twenty years, I have seen firsthand how much can be done when we work closely with our leaders, even those we disagree with. No single legislator can pass a bill on their own - we need dozens of others on our side. As senator, I would work to build relationships to pass policies which benefit my district.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I favor a completely non-partisan redistricting process. Voters should choose their elected officials, not the other way around.