2026 Georgia General Election

Debra Wooten Ashley

Debra Wooten Ashley was married to Ricky Ashley at the time of his death.

Debra Wooten Ashley works as a cashier and salesperson at LaGrange Car Wash.

As of October 23, 2026, Debra Wooten Ashley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Pavel Tantchev

Troup Coalition to host District 2 candidate forum at Griggs Center

Economy

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Israel Barsh

Facebook

Israel Barsh earned a bachelor's degree in social work, military science, and business from Washington State University. He later earned a doctorate in divinity from A.L. Hardy Seminary, with a focus on community development. He is married to Resa Barsh, and they have ten children; they serve as overseers of The Palace of the King Church of LaGrange and have led the Feed the Valley food distribution for families.

Councilman Boddie resigns after guilty plea, potential charge remains

Israel is the CEO and founder of Lionsgate Coalition and owns U.S. Global Office of Nonprofits LLC. He previously worked as a social worker, juvenile counselor, and child protective services agent, and founded and served as principal of a K–12 Christian academy.

Israel previously ran for mayor and city council in LaGrange but did not win either race.

02

Economic Growth

& Jobs

* Attract new industries — technology, logistics, clean energy — while supporting local small businesses.

Israel Barsh For Mayor of LaGrange, GA 2025

Plans a District 2 “empowerment zone” offering nonprofit grant-writing training and utility-bill assistance without taxing the city budget.

Proposes a youth employment agency to prepare young people and adults for high-wage careers.

Plans to attract technology, logistics, and clean-energy industries while supporting local small businesses.

- Plans to attract technology, logistics, and clean-energy industries while supporting local small businesses.

Advocates investing more city funds in youth jobs and activities, including a skating rink or bowling alley.

Plans monthly town halls, citizen advisory boards, and an open budget dashboard to promote city accountability.

Supports expanding affordable and workforce housing projects.

Plans to partner with nonprofits, churches, and developers to expand housing and create a 24-hour homeless shelter and transitional housing program.

01

Public Safety

& Crime Reduction

* Reduce gun violence and gang activity with community policing and neighborhood watch programs.

Plans youth outreach, mentoring, and after-school programs to prevent crime.

Plans to expand the use of cameras, license plate readers, and policing based on crime data.

Calls for a task force to work with the police chief to protect District 2 neighborhoods and youth.

Proposes community policing and neighborhood watch programs to reduce gun violence and gang activity.

- Proposes community policing and neighborhood watch programs to reduce gun violence and gang activity.

Plans to improve roads, sidewalks, lighting, public parks, neighborhood revitalization, and citywide broadband access.

Kalitha Reynolds

Kalitha Reynolds has attended town hall meetings and police forums in LaGrange and has shown up for other organizations.

Kalitha is the owner and operator of The Reach Agency, an insurance company.

As of October 23, 2026, Kalitha Reynolds’s website did not contain information on this issue.

LinkedIn

Kalitha Reynolds has a bachelor's degree in management and technology from Auburn University.

Kalitha Reynolds is the owner of The Reach Agency, a local insurance agency, and the founder of ReachHerInc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Kalitha Reynolds is the owner and operator of The Reach Agency, an insurance company.

Reynolds is running for LaGrange council as a concerned citizen

Calls for more youth development programs and activities.

Advocates for city leaders to work collaboratively with residents, business owners, government agencies, and police.

Advocates for responsible growth, increased homeownership, and property-code enforcement in District 2.

Said LaGrange should be an affordable and livable city.

Calls for code enforcement to help keep District 2 neighborhoods safe.

Mikquez Berry

As of October 23, 2026, Mikquez Berry’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Nathan Gaskin

City of LaGrange, former City Councilmember to receive award...

Nathan was sworn in as District 2 city councilman in 2022 for his second four-year term.

LaGrange mayor, city council members sworn into office - WTVM.com

Plans to connect local contractors with free financing options for home-improvement projects.

Pledges to freeze Troup County taxes at their current level if elected county commission chair.

Opposes school teams' exclusive use of a public recreation pool and says the pool should be available to the public.

Gaskin’s initiative will focus on the following areas:

Helping first-time homebuyers. Gaskin is partnering with local organizations to help connect community members with opportunities for down payment assistance and credit counseling.

Providing critical home repairs and upgrades. Gaskin plans to connect homeowners to resources that will help with home repairs and upgrades, including grants and low-cost loans.

LaGrange City Councilman Nathan Gaskin Launches “Building Forward” Housing Initiative

Helping first-time homebuyers. Gaskin is partnering with local organizations to help connect community members with opportunities for down payment assistance and credit counseling.

Providing critical home repairs and upgrades. Gaskin plans to connect homeowners to resources that will help with home repairs and upgrades, including grants and low-cost loans.

Creating opportunities for local contractors. Gaskin plans to connect local contractors with free financing options to help local contractors finance their home improvement projects.

Loans for landlords. Gaskin plans to connect landlords to resources that will ensure their tenants have a safe place to live with reduced energy burdens.

Affordable Housing Developers. Gaskin plans to introduce below market-rate, flexible loans for small to mid-size affordable and workforce housing developments.

Councilman Gaskins is also working with the non-profit Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) to help offer unsecured Green Home Loans which are approved based on ability to pay, not credit scores.

Plans to connect landlords with resources intended to provide safe housing and reduce tenants' energy burdens.

Plans to connect first-time homebuyers with down-payment assistance and credit counseling.

Plans to connect homeowners with grants and low-cost loans for home repairs and upgrades.

Plans to introduce below-market-rate, flexible loans for small and midsize developments offering affordable and workforce housing.

- Plans to connect first-time homebuyers with down-payment assistance and credit counseling.
- Plans to connect homeowners with grants and low-cost loans for home repairs and upgrades.
- Plans to introduce below-market-rate, flexible loans for small and midsize developments offering affordable and workforce housing.

As of October 23, 2026, Nathan Gaskin’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Councilman Gaskins is also working with the non-profit Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) to help offer unsecured Green Home Loans which are approved based on ability to pay, not credit scores. SELF’s Founder, Doug Coward, said, “We specialize in financial inclusion and helping low- and moderate-income homeowners gain access to low-cost and accessible loans for critical home repairs and upgrades.” SELF also has additional financing programs for Landlords and small Affordable Housing Developers.

Is working with the Solar and Energy Loan Fund to offer Green Home Loans based on ability to pay rather than credit scores.

- Is working with the Solar and Energy Loan Fund to offer Green Home Loans based on ability to pay rather than credit scores.

Rollo Milton

Rollo Milton grew up on Fannin Street in District 2.

Rollo currently works as a field service technician for Atlanta Gas Light.

As of October 23, 2026, Rollo Milton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Rollo Milton was born and raised on Fannin Street in District 2.

Rollo Milton currently works as a large-project coordinator for USIC, a company that locates underground utility lines for Georgia 811.

Rollo Milton works as a field service technician for Atlanta Gas Light.

Milton wants growth to continue in District 2 - LaGrange Daily News

Opposes high utility rates and says the city should keep them under control.

Wants a grocery store and drugstore near Hamilton Road so older residents have closer access to groceries and medicine.

Supports continuing town halls and maintaining communication between constituents, the council, and the mayor.

Plans to increase District 2 neighborhood cleanups and code enforcement related to abandoned houses.

Plans to expand neighborhood watches and police neighborhood roll calls to reduce crime.

Prioritizes public safety in city budget decisions.

Plans to examine District 2 infrastructure to get it “back up to par.”

Shavaskey Brown

Instagram

Shavaskey Brown is a lifelong LaGrange resident. He earned a Bachelor of Science in physical education from Middle Tennessee State University. He and his family attend New Beginning Baptist Church.

Shavaskey Brown is passionate about seeing LaGrange grow

Shavaskey Brown works as a domestic supply chain manager for MGroup, a local manufacturer that provides showers, flooring and cabinetry for hotel chains.

Calls for teaching young adults interviewing, resume-writing, and workplace-readiness skills.

Wants local residents equipped to fill jobs coming to Troup County and LaGrange.

Wants to continue promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education in LaGrange.

Prioritizes homeownership education on affordability, credit, employment, and bill payment over affordable-housing initiatives.

Said reducing violence starts with supporting elementary-school youth through mentoring and community resources.

As of October 23, 2026, Shavaskey Brown’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Tabitha Lewis

As of October 23, 2026, Tabitha Lewis’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Tabitha Lewis was raised in District 2. She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from LaGrange College and a master's degree in public administration from Troy University, and is completing a Ph.D. in public policy.

Tabitha Lewis says LaGrange needs to move forward together

Tabitha Lewis currently serves as the regional director of Communities in Schools of Troup County. She previously worked for the Georgia Department of Labor in vocational rehabilitation, disability adjudication, and behavioral health and developmental disabilities.

Economic Development and Small Business: “Kia and its suppliers have proven LaGrange can grow. Now the retail and amenities need to catch up. Tabitha will fight to bring real investment back to LaGrange Mall and the surrounding corridor, and support the local, minority-owned, and family businesses already carrying downtown, so growth creates opportunity on every block of District 2, not just the ones already thriving.”

Tabitha Lewis for LaGrange City Council, District 2

Advocates for workforce training to fill local jobs and help residents earn living wages.

Plans to seek investment in the LaGrange Mall corridor and support local, minority-owned, and family businesses.

- Plans to seek investment in the LaGrange Mall corridor and support local, minority-owned, and family businesses.

Youth Engagement and Development: “LaGrange's future depends on the young people growing up here today, and not every student is headed to a four-year degree. Tabitha will champion trade and apprenticeship partnerships between LaGrange City Schools, LaGrange College, and local employers, and back the mentorship programs and safe spaces that keep District 2's youth engaged, supported, and headed somewhere real.”

Plans to champion trade and apprenticeship partnerships and support youth mentorship programs and safe spaces in District 2.

- Plans to champion trade and apprenticeship partnerships and support youth mentorship programs and safe spaces in District 2.

Affordable Housing and Responsible Growth: “LaGrange is growing, and that's a good thing, but growth shouldn't mean pricing longtime neighbors out of the neighborhoods they built. Tabitha will push for responsible development standards, real affordable housing options for working families, and infrastructure that keeps pace with new rooftops, so District 2 keeps its small-town character even as the city keeps growing.”

Supports stricter enforcement on blighted properties and repair-grant opportunities that help homeowners maintain affordable rents.

Wants to hold landlords accountable for repairing homes in disrepair while using grants to avoid transferring costs to tenants.

Plans to pursue responsible development standards, affordable housing options, and infrastructure that keeps pace with housing growth.

- Plans to pursue responsible development standards, affordable housing options, and infrastructure that keeps pace with housing growth.

Plans to include youth in discussions about the causes of youth violence.

- City council members work together with the rest of city council to set and implement city policy. 
- City council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city 
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Most city council members in Georgia are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 

Passes laws and regulations for your city.

LaGrange City Council Member, District 2

Candidates (8)