Decision 2024: Meet Phyllis Tufts Hightower, candidate for Georgia House District 149, Democratic Primary
Early voting began on April 29 and ends on May 17. Election Day will be May 21.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Two Democratic candidates are qualified for the upcoming Georgia House District 149 election.
Floyd Griffin and Phyllis Tufts Hightower are competing to win the Democratic nomination in the upcoming primary election.
41NBC’s Monica Diaz-Meek spoke with each candidate ahead of the May 21 election.
Candidate name: Phyllis Tufts Hightower
Running for: Georgia House District 149
Campaign Website: Facebook
MONICA- Good afternoon. Today we have Phyllis Tufts Hightower, who’s running for Georgia House district 149 joining us. Thank you for being here.
PHYLLIS- Thank you for having me.
MONICA- I’m excited to have you. We are currently in the voting process right now. I have a few questions for you. First off, what do you think is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed and how will you do that if elected?
PHYLLIS- I think one of the biggest issues that needs to be addressed is, the issue about women’s reproductive rights. It’s been a very hot button issue, and it’s unfortunate that a certain party has decided to take away those rights. And, so I believe that they need to be restored. And I believe that I can be the one to have a seat at the table to make it happen.
MONICA- Alright, now, how has your background and your experience prepared you for this role?
PHYLLIS- Well, I have worked for over 30 years in mental health and retired. I’m a retired state of Georgia employee. The last 16 years of my employment, I worked with at risk youth in Macon. And I’ve spent my whole career serving people. And this is just a continuation of me serving. And I’m very passionate about helping people and helping them, get the rightful privileges that they deserve.
MONICA- Alright. Now, what would progress look like to you if you were elected for this position?
PHYLLIS- Progress again, being able to impact women’s reproductive rights that have been taken away and to see those restored as well as Medicaid. We have lost the opportunity for so many thousands of people in Georgia to have Medicaid and so to have Medicaid restored here in Georgia would be certainly a great example of progress.
MONICA- And so what makes you different than your opponents? Why are you qualified or why should voters vote for you?
PHYLLIS- Well, I do believe all of my years of of working in mental health, those are important issues. Working with at risk youth, those are extremely important issues. And I’ve got the experience in the background. And when it comes to women’s reproductive rights, definitely believe that as a woman, I can have a seat at the table and really speak from a different point of view.
MONICA- And so lastly, why is this so important to you specifically? You speak on advocating for women’s health and the reproductive rights. Why is it so important to you?
PHYLLIS- Because the government should not make a decision as to a woman’s private choices, personal choices? That should be between her, her God and her doctor. And so those are issues that are passionate to me and they’re very important.
MONICA- Alright. Well, thank you so much. Now, to you find out more about Phyllis Tufts Hightower, head on over to 41 NBC, and for the Georgia House Races as well. Thank you for being here.
PHYLLIS- Thank you for having me.
Snippets from all candidates’ interviews will air on 41NBC News at 6 p.m., 11 p.m., DayBreak and 41Today. All interviews will also be posted in full on 41NBC.com on the following days:
Tuesday, May 7- Floyd Griffin
Wednesday, May 8- Phyllis Tufts Hightower
