Candidate Profile: Brad Gilmore, Bartow County School Board Dist. 3

CARTERSVILLE, GA — Three candidates are running for Bartow County Board of Education District 3 in the May 24 General Primary Election.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as the primary draws near.

Brad Gilmore is running for Bartow County Board of Education District 3.

Name: Brad Gilmore

Campaign website: Brad Gilmore for Bartow School Board District 3

City of residence: Cartersville

Office sought: Bartow County Board of Education District 3

Party affiliation: Republican

Education: BBA healthcare management, associates degree business administration and management

Occupation: Human resources

Family: Wife Christa. Married 9 years. Two children: A son, Jackson (age 5) and a daughter, Scout (age 1)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Previous public office, appointive or elective: No

Age: 35

Why are you seeking this office? My number-one motivator is my own two children. They inspire me every single day. I want to ensure that they, along with all the children and youth within our community, continue to be supported and receive the best education and opportunities to succeed in life. Our current school board, under the leadership of our superintendent, has made tremendous strides to this end. I am running to ensure that they are supported and that we continue to move forward.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it. The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is mental health, and this is what I intend to do about it. I want to continue to support our current campaigns and systems that are working to improve the mental well-being of the students, teachers and staff. I would also like to see additional programing brought in that will further expand these resources. One program that I am a strong advocate for is Sources of Strength. It is a best-practice youth suicide-prevention project that provides long term solutions and trainings to students, teachers, and staff by harnessing the power of peer social norms and culture. It is endorsed by NAMI, DBHDD, DPH and the Department of Education. It is evidence-based and meaningful with real-time metrics so that we can see how it is working and where adjustments may need to be made.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? What sets me apart from the other candidates seeking this post is my love for our community and our children, my willingness to listen to all points of view and take them into consideration when making decisions, and my desire to see our school system and community continue to succeed and move forward. I have worked with community leaders and youth for over a decade to help make a difference in Bartow County and create community health and prevention projects focusing on issues like: bullying, mental health, suicidal ideation, healthy relationships, and substance abuse prevention. I am someone you can trust to make decisions based on the needs of the community and our children.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community? I am not challenging an incumbent, but will say that the current school board has not failed the community. They have made great strides to bring our school system to where it currently stands. I am running to ensure that we keep doing great things for this community and to bring fresh ideas to the table.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign? The mental health of our students, teachers and staff is my top priority. Also, recognizing that each student has a meaningful path after graduation whether it is the workforce, trade school, the military or college, and giving them the resources and knowledge base needed to succeed. Finally, ensuring that every student continues to receive free breakfast and lunch. We live in the most prosperous nation on earth. There is no reason why we should ever have a child go hungry while they are in our schools. A good education cannot begin if a child is hungry. We need to feed the body and the mind.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? I have served on boards and committees focused on youth my entire career. I have served as an adult advisor for youth from every county school, our city schools, and private schools for the past decade. I work every day with the interpretation and creation of policies to support educators and understand the importance of strong leadership. I am passionate about our community and know that we work best when we work together through collaboration.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you? People tend to think that you should only care or be nice to those in power, but my father always taught me that everyone matters. We should extend our praise and support to all levels. Each person holds immense value, and it is important that we let them know how much they matter.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions? I am a Christian, conservative outsider who has continuously proven that I am focused on the community and wants us to continue to move forward. I want to be a voice for all.