MDJ Voter Guide: State Senate, District 35

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Josh Tolbert is originally from Birmingham, Alabama. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, a master's degree in engineering science and mechanics, a master's degree in mechanical engineering, and a doctorate in mechanical engineering all from the University of Alabama. He lives in Smyrna with his wife, Mary, and their five children. They are members of The Square Church in Smyrna. 

Josh's run for Georgia State Senate District 35 is his entry into politics. 

Josh is a founder and engineering consultant at Atlanta Experts. He has previously worked as an engineer and a teacher. 

Believes faith-based organizations should have equal opportunities as other nonprofits to receive funding and support.

Believes in increasing housing supply by streamlining zoning for new housing and repurposing vacant commercial properties into residential use.

Opposes large institutional investors buying residential properties.

Believes local governments should do more to control spending to prevent families from being "taxed out of their homes."

- Believes faith-based organizations should have equal opportunities as other nonprofits to receive funding and support.
- Believes in increasing housing supply by streamlining zoning for new housing and repurposing vacant commercial properties into residential use.
- Opposes large institutional investors buying residential properties.
- Believes local governments should do more to control spending to prevent families from being "taxed out of their homes."

Economy

As of November 4, 2025, Josh Tolbert’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Public Safety

Supports school choice, saying "Parents should have the ability to choose the learning environment that fits their child best, whether that’s public, charter, private, homeschool, or a hybrid model."

Believes classroom time should focus on "core learning, not politics or ideology."

Believes teachers should be supported with necessary resources and not overwhelmed with administrative tasks or "cultural distractions."

Believes skilled trades, apprenticeships, and technical programs provide high-paying careers without student debt.

- Supports school choice, saying "Parents should have the ability to choose the learning environment that fits their child best, whether that’s public, charter, private, homeschool, or a hybrid model."
- Believes classroom time should focus on "core learning, not politics or ideology."
- Believes teachers should be supported with necessary resources and not overwhelmed with administrative tasks or "cultural distractions."
- Believes skilled trades, apprenticeships, and technical programs provide high-paying careers without student debt.

Education

Josh Tolbert

- Supports school choice, saying "Parents should have the ability to choose the learning environment that fits their child best, whether that’s public, charter, private, homeschool, or a hybrid model."
- Believes classroom time should focus on "core learning, not politics or ideology."
- Believes teachers should be supported with necessary resources and not overwhelmed with administrative tasks or "cultural distractions."

Joshua Tolbert earned a bachelor 27s degree in business management from Clayton State University. He lives with his wife and four young children in Mableton, Georgia.

Joshua is a business owner who has spent the past 10 years buying, scaling, and selling small businesses.

Joshua's campaign for Georgia State Senator, District 35 is his first entry into politics. 

Supports tax relief for small businesses, expanding small business lending, and creating a more level playing field for local entrepreneurs.

As of November 4, 2025, Joshua Tolbert did not have a website or any information online.

Advocates for community policing, youth engagement programs, and stronger partnerships between law enforcement and residents to build trust and reduce violence.

Supports raising teacher pay and fully funding the state's education formula.

Joshua Tolbert

Joshua's run for Georgia State Senate District 35 is his entry into politics. 

Buket Urgen

Corenza Morris earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Clayton State University. He lives in Smyrna, Georgia with his wife, Devona, and their four children. They attend LIIV Atlanta Church. 

Corenza works as an insurance professional. He has previously worked for Allstate and as a police officer. He is a veteran of the Army National Guard where he retired as a sergeant. 

Corenza Morris - Ballotpedia

MDJ Voter Guide: State Senate, District 35 | Elections | mdjonline.com

Corenza's campaign for Georgia State Senator, District 35 is his first entry into politics. 

Supports tax relief for small businesses, especially those impacted by inflation and workflow shortages, expanding small business lending and creating a more level playing field for local entrepreneurs.

- Supports tax relief for small businesses, especially those impacted by inflation and workflow shortages, expanding small business lending and creating a more level playing field for local entrepreneurs.

As of November 4, 2025, Corenza Morris’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports community policing, youth engagement programs, and stronger partnerships between law enforcement and residents to build trust and reduce violence.

- Supports community policing, youth engagement programs, and stronger partnerships between law enforcement and residents to build trust and reduce violence.

Supports investing in teachers and updating classroom resources.

Said, "I’ll work to raise teacher pay, fully fund the state’s education formula and provide schools with the support they need to focus on learning, not politics."

- Supports investing in teachers and updating classroom resources.
- Said, "I’ll work to raise teacher pay, fully fund the state’s education formula and provide schools with the support they need to focus on learning, not politics."

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Corenza Morris

Corenza Morris is from Columbia, South Carolina. She has a bachelor's degree from Bethune-Cookman University and a master of business administration from the University of Georgia. She is unmarried and has no children.

Plans to deliver property tax relief and reduce insurance costs.

Supports stricter environmental laws and regulations.

Supports access to assisted suicide for terminally ill patients.

Opposes providing taxpayer funds to abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood.

Opposes transgender healthcare for minors.

Believes chemical abortion drugs should meet safety standards, including in-person consultations with a doctor and reporting reactions and outcomes.

Opposes photo identification requirements for voting.

Supports redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.

Erica Denise Solomon - Ballotpedia

Erica-Denise Solomon was born in Columbia, South Carolina. She earned a bachelor's degree in mass communications from Bethune-Cookman University and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Georgia. She has lived in Atlanta since 2018. 

Erica-Denise works as government consultant for Belle Industries. She previously worked as a journalist for TEGNA. 

Erica-Denise's campaign for Georgia State Senator, District 35 is her first entry into politics. 

Supports small businesses by expanding access to resources and opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

Supports creating pathways for economic mobility through better job training, educational programs, and initiatives to increase literacy for all ages.

Supports improving infrastructure, including transportation, broadband access, and public resources that families rely on.

Supports ensuring homes are affordable for working families and protecting neighborhoods from private equity firms that buy land and displace local residents.

- Supports small businesses by expanding access to resources and opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
- Supports creating pathways for economic mobility through better job training, educational programs, and initiatives to increase literacy for all ages.
- Supports improving infrastructure, including transportation, broadband access, and public resources that families rely on.
- Supports ensuring homes are affordable for working families and protecting neighborhoods from private equity firms that buy land and displace local residents.
- Supports raising the minimum wage.

As of November 4, 2025, Erica-Denise Solomon’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports expanding early voting, restoring Sunday voting hours, and making Election Day a national holiday.

- Supports expanding early voting, restoring Sunday voting hours, and making Election Day a national holiday.

Supports initiatives to increase literacy for all ages.

Plans to advocate for expanded workforce training and literacy programs.

Plans to advocate for expanded workforce training. 

- Supports initiatives to increase literacy for all ages.
- Plans to advocate for expanded workforce training. 

Erica-Denise Solomon

As of November 4, 2025, Erica Denise Solomon’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Erica Denise Solomon

- Supports initiatives to increase literacy for all ages.

Erica Denise Solomon was born in Columbia, South Carolina. She earned a bachelor's degree from Bethune-Cookman University in 2010 and a graduate degree from the University of Georgia in 2022. She has been affiliated with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Erica's campaign for Georgia State Senator, District 35 is her first entry into politics. 

As of November 4, 2025, Erica Denise Solomon did not have a website or any information online.

Said, "The most important characteristics are integrity and accountability. An official must honor their word and be accountable to the people they serve, not special interests."

Dr. Jaha Howard Announces Candidacy for Georgia Senate District 35

Jaha Howard - Ballotpedia

Jaha Howard moved to Atlanta in 1990. He has a bachelor's degree in chemistry and a doctorate in dental surgery from Howard University, and a master's degree in oral sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He lives with his wife, Vanessa, and three children in Smyrna. He serves as a deacon at his church in South Fulton.

Jaha is a pediatric dentist and the owner of A+ Pediatric Dentistry of Atlanta. 

Jaha previously served on the Cobb County School District school board from 2019 to 2022. He ran for Georgia State Superintendent of Schools in 2022 and for Georgia State Senator in District 6 in 2016 and 2017, but did not win these elections.

Proposes that new small business owners pay zero taxes for the first two years.

Opposes big companies buying single-family homes to convert them into short-term rentals and plans to hold "predatory third-parties" accountable for high rents.

Opposes big companies buying single-family homes to convert them into short-term rentals and plans to hold "predatory third-parties" accountable for high rents, while helping responsible developers. 

- Proposes that new small business owners pay zero taxes for the first two years.
- Opposes big companies buying single-family homes to convert them into short-term rentals and plans to hold "predatory third-parties" accountable for high rents, while helping responsible developers. 

Supports investing in renewable energy and addressing the impact of data centers on power grids.

- Supports investing in renewable energy and addressing the impact of data centers on power grids.

Believes all Georgians should have access to quality healthcare options and that Medicaid, Medicare, and WIC are "extremely outdated and not user-friendly."

- Believes all Georgians should have access to quality healthcare options and that Medicaid, Medicare, and WIC are "extremely outdated and not user-friendly."

As of November 4, 2025, Jaha V. Howard’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to prioritize increasing literacy rates statewide by redirecting existing educational resources.

- Plans to prioritize increasing literacy rates statewide by redirecting existing educational resources.

Jaha V. Howard

Jaha Howard is from Atlanta, Georgia. He has a bachelor's degree in chemistry, a doctorate in dental surgery, and a master of science in oral sciences from Howard University and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He lives with his wife and three children in Smyrna. He serves as a deacon at his church in South Fulton.

Jaha is currently a member of the Georgia State Senate, representing District 35. He was elected in 2025 and is serving his first term. He previously served on the Cobb County School District school board from 2019 to 2022. He ran for Georgia State Superintendent of Schools in 2022 but did not win. He also ran for Georgia State Senator in District 6 in 2016 and 2017 but did not win.

As of November 4, 2025, Jaha V. Howard did not have a website or any information online.

Supports providing tax breaks to "responsible developers."

John Williams is originally from New Roads, Louisiana. He earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Southern University. He has lived in Georgia since 1992 and currently lives in Unincorporated Cobb with his wife Mona. They have two adult children and a grandchild.  

John worked as a mechanical engineer for Lockheed Martin. 

Six candidates, including a recently retired lawmaker, enter race for ...

John D. Williams iVoterGuide Profile - iVoterGuide

John's campaign for Georgia State Senator, District 35 is his first entry into politics. 

Supports advocating for infrastructure improvements and recreational spaces.

- Supports advocating for infrastructure improvements and recreational spaces.

As of November 4, 2025, John Daryl Williams’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports building stronger partnerships between schools, law enforcement, families, and the broader community to enhance public safety.

- Supports building stronger partnerships between schools, law enforcement, families, and the broader community to enhance public safety.

Supports expanding youth programs and mentorship opportunities.

- Supports expanding youth programs and mentorship opportunities.

John Daryl Williams

John Williams is originally from New Roads, Louisiana. He earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Southern University. He has lived in Georgia since 1992 with his wife Mona. They have two adult children and a grandchild.  

John Daryl Williams's campaign for Georgia State Senator, District 35 is his first entry into politics. 

As of November 4, 2025, John Daryl Williams did not have a website or any information online.

Believes chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards, including in-person consultations with a medical doctor and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.

Roger Bruce is originally from Harlem, New York. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Morehouse College. He is married to Angela and they have  three adult children and four grandchildren.

Roger Bruce - Ballotpedia

Roger is a human resources executive. He worked as Vice President of Human Resources for the Atlanta Life Financial Group and as East Coast Director of Human Resources for Burger King Pillsbury Companies. He also served in the Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Roger is a former member of the Georgia House of Representatives, where he served from 2003 to 2025. 

Plans to increase funding for Georgia’s $17 Billion in the state reserve to support public schools, teacher pay, and those "negatively affected by federal cuts to SNAP benefits for hardworking Georgians..."

Plans to increase funding for Georgia’s $17 Billion in the state reserve to support those "negatively affected by federal cuts to SNAP benefits for hardworking Georgians..."

- Plans to increase funding for Georgia’s $17 Billion in the state reserve to support those "negatively affected by federal cuts to SNAP benefits for hardworking Georgians..."

As of November 4, 2025, Roger Bruce’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to make voting easier for Georgians and plans to repeal Senate Bill 202, which "harmed" voting access.

- Plans to make voting easier for Georgians and plans to repeal Senate Bill 202, which "harmed" voting access.

Said, "Without bipartisan support, we could have never passed a Hate Crimes Bill to protect all Georgians from discriminatory violent acts."

Supports the Parents Protection Act and bills to protect seniors from identity theft.

As a state representative, helped pass the Parents Protection Act and bills to protect seniors from identity theft.

- Said, "Without bipartisan support, we could have never passed a Hate Crimes Bill to protect all Georgians from discriminatory violent acts."
- As a state representative, helped pass the Parents Protection Act and bills to protect seniors from identity theft.

Supports increased funding for public schools and teacher pay.

- Supports increased funding for public schools and teacher pay.

Roger Bruce

- Believes the biggest challenge for the district and many Georgians is the federal funding cut to SNAP benefits and public education, and supports retrieving state funding to sustain these programs.

Roger is a former member of the Georgia House of Representatives, where he served from 2013 to 2025. 

Roger is a former member of the Georgia House of Representatives, where he served from 2013 to 2025. He is currently running in a special election for the Georgia State Senate to represent District 35.

As of November 4, 2025, Roger Bruce did not have a website or any information online.

- Your state senator represents the interests of your district in the Georgia State Senate.
- Your state senator can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws after going through the legislative process. 
- State Senators are involved in approving some appointments by the Governor.
- The State Senate, along with the State House of Representatives, makes up our state lawmaking body: the Georgia General Assembly.
- There are 56 Georgia senators, each representing a single district.
- State Senators are elected to two-year terms. They are paid a yearly salary of $17,342.