Connie Stokes

Connie Stokes (born September 3, 1953) is an American politician from the state of Georgia. A member of the Democratic Party, she is a former DeKalb County Commissioner, and formerly served in the Georgia State Senate. Stokes ran for lieutenant governor in 2014.

Connie Stokes
DeKalb County Commissioner
In office
2004–2010
Member of the Georgia Senate
from the 43rd district
In office
1994–2004
Succeeded bySteen Miles
Personal details
Born (1953-09-03) September 3, 1953
Atlanta, Georgia
Political partyDemocratic Party
Children3
ResidenceLithonia, Georgia
Alma materArt Institute of Atlanta
J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University
Occupationreal estate

Early life and career

Stokes was born into poverty and abandoned by her mother, who was an alcoholic.[1] Her great-grandmother raised her in Atlanta's Fourth Ward. She went into business in real estate.[1]

Political career

Stokes ran for the Georgia State Senate seat representing the 43rd district in 1994, receiving the endorsement of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.[2] She won, and was reelected five times. While she served in the Georgia Senate, Roy Barnes, the Governor of Georgia, appointed her to serve as one of his floor leaders.[3][4] She also served as chairwoman of the Health and Human Services committee.[5]

In 2004, Republicans won control of the Georgia Senate, and stripped Stokes of her committee leadership positions. As a result, she chose to run for Georgia's 4th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives, which was being vacated by Denise Majette, who was running for the United States Senate.[1][6] She received an endorsement from Barnes,[1] but lost the Democratic nomination to Cynthia McKinney,[7] and was elected a DeKalb County commissioner that fall.[8] She chaired the budget committee.[9] In 2010, she challenged Hank Johnson for the House of Representatives, also representing Georgia's 4th congressional district,[7][10] but Johnson won the nomination.[11]

In 2013, Stokes declared her candidacy in the 2014 Georgia gubernatorial election.[3] After Jason Carter entered the race, Stokes decided to run for lieutenant governor instead.[12] She lost in the general election to incumbent Casey Cagle.[13]

Personal

Stokes received an Associate's degree from the Art Institute of Atlanta and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Georgia State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business, with a major in marketing.[6][14] She received a Masters in Public Administration, with a major in public management, from California State University, Dominguez Hills.[14] She lives in Lithonia, Georgia, with her husband and three sons. She works as a business management consultant.[3]

References
  1. "4TH DISTRICT RACE: Stokes has Barnes' backing: State senator lifted herself out of poverty". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. April 29, 2004. p. JA1. Retrieved October 9, 2013. (subscription required)
  2. "DeKalb priorities: unity and economic leadership". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. July 8, 1994. p. A/14. Retrieved October 9, 2013. (subscription required)
  3. Kleehammer, Christina. "Democrat Connie Stokes to challenge Deal for Ga. Governor – WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports". Wtvm.com. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  4. "Ga. Democrat files paperwork for gubernatorial bid". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. September 19, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  5. "Laptop lethargy: Lawmakers split on desk computers: 2000 Georgia Legislature". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. February 21, 2000. p. B1. Retrieved October 9, 2013. (subscription required)
  6. "4th District Race Draws Connie Stokes", Atlanta Daily World, April 28, 2004
  7. Cardinale, Matthew (April 15, 2010). "APN Chat with Connie Stokes, Congressional Candidate, 4th District". Atlanta Progressive News. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  8. "Grant money diverted in DeKalb: Funds meant for inner-city youth went to church; county may have to reimburse state". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. October 18, 2004. p. D1. Retrieved October 9, 2013. (subscription required)
  9. "DeKalb commissioner running against Hank Johnson". www.ajc.com. January 12, 2010. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  10. "Five challengers await Georgia congressman". The Augusta Chronicle. Associated Press. March 3, 2010. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  11. Blake, Aaron (July 20, 2010). "The Fix – Georgia Election Results: Former Gov. Roy Barnes wins Democratic primary; Handel, Deal in runoff". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  12. Cassidy, Christina A. (November 7, 2013). "Jimmy Carter's Grandson to Run for Ga. Governor". ABC News. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  13. "Cagle earns 3rd term in state's No. 2 post". www.gainesvilletimes.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  14. "Johnson faces 6 in fight to keep 4th District seat". www.ajc.com. June 6, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
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