Gary graduated from Butler High School and attended Georgia Southern University.

Gary built a chain of Sparkle Express Carwashes, which employs over 80 Georgians at nine locations. 

Ballotpedia: Gary Richardson (Georgia)

Gary Richardson is the State Representative in State House District 125. He assumed office in 2024 after winning a special election. Gary served on the Columbia County Board of Commissioners for 8 years and was elected by his colleagues to serve as Vice-Chair five times.

On the Board of Commissioners, he voted to reduce taxes.

The candidate's website says, "He will keep our economy thriving in by cutting taxes, supporting the return of more money to taxpayers, slashing job-killing regulations, and pushing back against big government mandates and spending."

The candidate's website states,  "Gary will continue our common sense approach that has allowed us to cut the income tax, return money to taxpayers, and grow our economy."

- On the Board of Commissioners, he voted to reduce taxes.
- The candidate's website says, "He will keep our economy thriving in by cutting taxes, supporting the return of more money to taxpayers, slashing job-killing regulations, and pushing back against big government mandates and spending."
- The candidate's website states,  "Gary will continue our common sense approach that has allowed us to cut the income tax, return money to taxpayers, and grow our economy."

Economy

As of March 19, 2024, Gary Richardson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Healthcare

Supports local government and wants to "protect local control so politicians in Atlanta can’t force their agenda on our citizens."

- Supports local government and wants to "protect local control so politicians in Atlanta can’t force their agenda on our citizens."

Voting & Elections

On the Board of Commissioners, he voted to fund law enforcement.

Opposes open borders and promises to "deport criminal illegals in Georgia,...dismantle street gangs, and end human trafficking."

- On the Board of Commissioners, he voted to fund law enforcement.
- Opposes open borders and promises to "deport criminal illegals in Georgia,...dismantle street gangs, and end human trafficking."
- Opposes gun control.

Public Safety

Education

Facebook

Gary Richardson

CJ is from Grovetown, GA, and is an Evans High School graduate. 

CJ has worked as a communications specialist, multimedia political content creator, opinion writer, and campaign strategist. 

CJ Pearson's campaign for state representative is his first entry into politics.

Candidate website

Believes Georgia's state income tax is outdated, supports its removal to match neighboring states, and plans to collaborate with Governor Kemp and Republicans to address economic challenges exacerbated by federal policies under Joe Biden.

Supports the removal of Georgia's state income tax.

Plans to reduce state government size and regulations, including abolishing Certificate of Need laws, to increase liberty and opportunities for quality healthcare access in rural Georgia.

According to his website, supports eliminating Certificate of Need laws that "limit the ability of rural Georgians to access quality healthcare."

Opposes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in business.

- Supports the removal of Georgia's state income tax.
- According to his website, supports eliminating Certificate of Need laws that "limit the ability of rural Georgians to access quality healthcare."
- Opposes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in business.

As of March 19, 2024, Cj Pearson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes the current election is crucial, advocating for increased faith in the electoral system, supports the Elections Integrity Law, and calls for further measures to secure voting machines and prevent fraudulent ballots to protect election integrity.

Wants to secure voting machines and prevent fraudulent ballots. 

- Wants to secure voting machines and prevent fraudulent ballots. 

Supports robust law enforcement funding and accountability for prosecutors prioritizing politics over law, to ensure Georgia's security and public safety.

Supports expanded law enforcement funding.

Said, "Illegal immigration ... raises the crime rates. I will support any and all legislation that reduces the chances of settlements in Grovetown, Appling, and Harlem."

Opposes making Georgia a sanctuary state.

- Supports expanded law enforcement funding.
- Opposes increased immigration.
- Opposes making Georgia a sanctuary state.

The candidate's website says, "Our values are under attack from the woke political left... They have made it clear that they intend to transform our very way of life by continually undermining our classrooms... CJ is ready to stand in their way... ensure our students are taught the truth about our history rather than far left fantasies..."

Opposes the participation of transgender athletes in sports that correlate with their gender identity.

- Opposes the participation of transgender athletes in sports that correlate with their gender identity.

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

Cj Pearson

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Georgia State House of Representatives.
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws. All bills dealing with the state budget originate in the Georgia House of Representatives.
- The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up our state lawmaking body: the Georgia General Assembly.
- There are 180 members of the Georgia House of Representatives, each representing a single district.
- State Representatives are elected to two-year terms. They are paid a yearly salary of $17,342. They only serve in the role part-time.