What is your name?

Donna McLeod

Tell us more about yourself.

I was born on the island of Jamaica and grew up in Canada. I moved to Georgia in 1998. I am a chemical engineer with over 20 years experience in quality assurance management and engineering. I started as a grassroots organizer who is passionate about civic engagement and civic responsibility, which led me to run for elected office. In 2018, I was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, making history by becoming the first Jamaican-born to serve in that body.

What office are you running for?

Gwinnett County Chairperson

What is your party affiliation?

Democrat

Attach a photo of yourself

Attach your resume or CV.

Where did you go to school?

B.S., Chemical Engineering, Humber College, Canada

Provide the link to your campaign website.

https://donnamcleod.com/

What is your job/occupation?

QA and engineering consultant

What city/neighborhood do you live in?

Lawrenceville

Is this your first time running for office?

No

What experiences have best prepared you to hold elected office?

I spent over a decade grass-roots organizing, and I was the national director for voter outreach for Black Women for Obama (2012). I am a two-term Georgia state representative, from 2019–2023. I ran for Congress in 2022.

What would be your top priority upon winning office?

Getting a housing plan for Gwinnett and a transportation plan that includes rail. The congestion on the road and in our schools is impacting our quality of life.

What actions would you take to enhance government transparency and trust in government?

Simplifying paperwork for all application processes and getting in front of people by holding town halls to explain policy changes and ensuring all inputs are listened to and that respondents get timely responses. Improving the county's website so that information can be easily retrieved. 

Do you believe Georgia elections are secure and what additional security measures can be taken?

We should have handwritten paper ballots, but I think we have improved the use of machines by ensuring there is backup paper printout. This was something, as a state legislator, the Democrats were able to secure.

What is government's responsibility to ensure affordable housing?

Yes, the government is supposed to provide services to taxpayers to get a return on their investment. If someone can't afford basic shelter, then we are failing in our responsibilities. 

Do you believe public access to public records is sufficient in your jurisdiction and, if not, what steps do you support to remedy that?

No, public access to public records is just the start. I believe we need to provide an explanation and follow up as needed.