Meet the Candidates: Horacena Tate

Sen. Horacena Tate, a Democrat who has served seven terms in the Georgia Senate, is seeking reelection to the newly redrawn Senate District 38, which includes portions of Mableton and Smyrna. She is facing challenger Reginald Crossley, who currently oversees the Fulton County Youth Commission for the Department of Housing & Human Services.

Since District 38 now has more parts of southern Cobb after redistricting, Tate said, “I will look out for the constituents of Cobb and consult with Steve (Thompson). I will spend a lot more time (there) than I did before…I know that you cannot pass anything in isolation by yourself.”

The lifetime Georgia resident was raised in Atlanta, and attended Georgia colleges, eventually earning her doctorate from Clark Atlanta University in 1992. She began her professional career with the Georgia Department of Labor after volunteering in the Office of the Governor.

Patch caught up with her this week to get some answers about her experience and vision if reelected.

Why exactly are you seeking reelection?

“Because there’s still a lot of work to be done,” Tate responded.

She said she has worked to enhance Pre-K programs throughout the state and to ensure that HOPE scholarships are available to those who need them most, and being reelected would allow her to continue this work.

She said she can provide a voice to those who “have less of a voice than they’ve had in the past. I lend a voice to the minority view that is so needed.”

Although that “minority voice” she said describes Democrats, she said it could also describe people of color and women as well since there was “a war on women this year.”

What have you accomplished while in office that makes you most proud?

She said she was most proud of co-authoring the “Caleb’s Law” bill, which prohibited text messaging while driving and added one point to the driving record of anyone caught texting while driving. The bill made texting while driving a misdemeanor punishable by a $150 fine. The bill became law, effective on July 1, 2010.

The law was named after Caleb Sorohan, a college freshmen who died in Georgia while texting and driving in December 2009.

She co-authored the bill with Republican senators, Jack Murphy, Bill Hamrick, Don Balfour, Bill Jackson and others.

“I’m not one to worry about the D or the R. I want us to have good bills that protect Georgians,” Tate said about working across the aisle.

What makes you unique and most qualified for this office?

“I have a proven track record. I won in ’99 by one vote.”

Since Tate is sixth in seniority of all Georgia senators, she said she and her fellow senators have learned how to work together. “We all know each other, understand the differences and can work together,” she said.

“Anyone new would have to learn the landscape. I know how to get what we need. There’s no learning curve for me.”

What are the major issues facing District 38?

Tate said District 38 is facing “major foreclosure issues” and has several blighted communities. “You have a lot of boarded-up houses or houses that need to be cleaned up.”

“A lot of constituents are concerned about the overgrowth and yards that need to be cut,” Tate said. She plans to work closely with city councils and county commissioners to ensure that “overgrowth” issues are addressed adequately.

She said economic development should be the major focus for the area, along with ensuring that Georgians have the best educational systems for their children and grandchildren.