Mayor Kim Learnard Endorses Chandra Wright for Fayette County Commission

Peachtree City Mayor Kim Learnard endorsed Fayette County Commission District 3 candidate Chandra Wright during a gathering at Learnard’s home, where women who lead local governments, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations were among those present.

Wright is running against James Clifton in the November 3 election for the commission seat representing Peachtree City.

Learnard delivered a short endorsement statement that she also provided in writing to The Citizen, making both a case for Wright and a pointed argument against Clifton.

Learnard criticized Clifton’s previous campaigns for public office, his public criticism of elected officials in Fayette and Coweta counties, and statements he has made on issues including data centers, the Fayette County Water System, the Fayette County Development Authority, and Peachtree City officials.

“A vote for James Clifton is a vote for Steve Brown,” Learnard wrote.

Her case for Wright centered largely on Wright’s education and professional experience. Wright recently completed a master’s degree in public policy at Georgia State University and previously worked in Peachtree City’s Planning and Development Department.

She also holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science and spent nearly 20 years working in software development and project management for AT&T/Lucent Technologies, according to Learnard’s statement.

“Chandra Wright is smart, friendly, and connected in our community,” Learnard wrote. “She is well qualified, and ready to make a positive contribution on the Fayette County Commission.”

“I wholeheartedly endorse Chandra Wright for Fayette County Commission Post 3,” she concluded.

‘Facts over fear’

Speaking after Learnard, Wright described five reasons she believes voters should choose her, beginning with a phrase she returned to throughout her remarks: “facts over fear.”

“I am just so tired of public officials and people who are in positions of leadership and authority, not feeling that they have to give citizens the truth,” Wright said.

She said she would approach decisions by gathering information, talking to experts and fellow officials, and making that information available to residents.

“If we provide citizens with the information and the facts, we are smart enough to make the decisions that need to be made to move our communities forward,” Wright said.

Wright also emphasized listening to residents, arguing that public policy cannot be developed effectively without understanding how an issue affects the people who live under it.

She said that as commissioner she would attend neighborhood and homeowners association meetings, hold town halls, communicate through newsletters, return calls, and maintain open office hours.

“Because I cannot lead you, I cannot govern, I cannot vote the way you want for me to vote if I’m not listening to you,” Wright said.

Quality of life and data centers

Wright identified protecting Fayette County’s quality of life as another central part of her campaign, while acknowledging that the phrase can mean different things to different residents.

As an example, she turned to one of Fayette County’s most contentious current issues: data centers.

“I understand why people are concerned about it,” Wright said. “I understand why people have questions about it because it’s new. It’s different. It is changing the landscape.”

She said questions about environmental effects, electrical infrastructure, and other potential consequences are legitimate and should be addressed when governments negotiate agreements.

“We have to have people in office who are asking the hard questions with the people who are negotiating those deals,” Wright said.

“It is so important that we put good policy in place and good agreements in place so that people are taken care of in every decision that is made,” she added.

After the gathering, Wright provided The Citizen with an additional statement clarifying that she does not view the issue as a simple choice between supporting or opposing data centers.

“This is not about being for or against data centers,” Wright said. “It is about being informed, being firmly on the side of the people, and making decisions that reflect that. That is the only path to protecting and improving our quality of life for generations to come.”

Wright noted that one data center campus in Fayetteville is already under construction and another near Highway 74 in Tyrone is under discussion.

If elected, she said she would work with local governments, state officials, the Georgia Public Service Commission, and data center operators “to ensure that every commitment made to this community is honored and every environmental and infrastructure impact is understood and responsibly managed.”

She also addressed what Fayette County should do if the already-approved projects eventually generate the level of tax revenue officials have discussed.

“Additionally, if the data centers produce the enormous windfalls we’ve been told to expect, I will focus on acquiring tax relief for property owners and investment into Fayette County that reflects the priorities of its residents,” Wright said. “The people of Fayette County must have a meaningful voice in how this additional revenue is spent.”

Experience and representation

Wright also contrasted her experience with Clifton’s, pointing to her previous work in local government and her decision to return to school to study public policy.

“I’m the only candidate, the only one who has ever worked in local government,” Wright said.

She told those gathered that, because of her family circumstances and the support of her husband, she would be able to serve as commissioner full time and make herself accessible to residents.

Wright closed her case for the office by raising representation on the five-member commission.

“It’s about time we had a woman on the board of commissioners,” Wright said.

She noted that Pota Coston was the last woman to serve on the Fayette County Board of Commissioners, and that Coston died in 2015, about six months into her term.

Wright then asked those gathered to support the campaign through donations, canvassing, and campaign signs as she heads toward the November election.