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VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - The Georgia House of Representatives seat that serves Lowndes County is vacant for the first time in 13 years.

This comes after former Representative Dexter Sharper stepped down in March 2026, after he and two other state representatives were accused of lying on pandemic unemployment forms and taking nearly $14,000 in benefits.

>> READ MORE: Former Valdosta state rep Dexter Sharper to plead guilty in unemployment fraud case <<

Now, a Special Election will be held May 12, to fill the vacant Georgia House of Representatives seat.

Candidate Profiles:

KRISTINA CHEEK MCBRIDE

Background:

• 20 years experience in maternal health initiatives
• Business work with Southern Georgia Black Chambers
• Certified doula and childbirth educator

Top Issues:

1. Economic Opportunity
2. Maternal and Community Health
3. Medicaid Expansion

Experience Advantage:

• Unique combination of doula/childbirth educator expertise with policy experience
• Years of lobbying experience for community health
• Brings both grassroots community work and capitol experience

Collaboration Approach:

• Has already built relationships with caucus leaders and built relationships on the House floor
• Has bills ready to present on House floor for affordability and maternal health
• Emphasizes importance of established relationships before entering legislature

Message to Voters:

• “We have to do something different”
• Urges voters to carefully vet candidates and ask hard questions

ALVIN PAYTON, JR.

Background:

• Retired
• Served 12 years on Valdosta City Council
• Currently serves on Valdosta Park and Recreation Authority
• Father was first African American elected as Lowndes County Commissioner
• Lifelong community service involvement

Top Issues:

1. Sports Megaplex
2. City Auditorium
3. Affordable Housing

Experience Advantage:

• Emphasizes importance of relationships as “keystone”
• Has relationships with city and county elected officials
• Has relationships with various authorities (industrial authority, park and recreation)
• Educational background and council experience provide strong foundation

Collaboration Approach:

• Believes relationships are one of the best ways to get things done
• Plans to reach across the aisle
• Core goal is to represent District 177 citizens
• Understands importance of working with city and county officials and various authorities

Message to Voters:

• “There are five great candidates in the race”
• Encourages voters to look at qualifications of all candidates
• Highlights his council experience, authority experience, and educational background
• Committed to serving community “win or lose”

ERIC HOWARD

Background:

• Recently served on Valdosta City Council
• Has recent knowledge of barriers and issues the city faces
• Maintains constant contact with current delegation

Top Issues:

1. Community Safety
2. Juvenile Justice Reform
3. Supporting Educators

Experience Advantage:

• Maintains constant contact with current delegation
• Understands the challenges of representing Valdosta and parts of the county
• Understands current barriers the city faces
• Already has relationships with current delegation

Collaboration Approach:

• Acknowledges going in as minority party
• Plans to extend “olive branch”
• Willing to work with majority party on issues they support
• Believes compromise makes candidates electable

Message to Voters:

• Pay attention to election cycle (special election and primary)
• Look at everyone’s body of work
• Listen to questions being asked and answers given
• Make decisions based on substance

ELSIE NAPIER

Background:

• Healthcare provider and Nurse Practitioner for over 45 years
• TEACH Outreach Ministries
• 45-50 years devoted to families and giving voice to the voiceless

Top Issues:

1. Healthcare Access
2. Affordable Housing
3. Public Education

Experience Advantage:

• “You cannot represent anybody that you don’t know”
• Emphasizes boots-on-ground experience
• Has met people where they are
• Runs feeding program that transitioned to transitional housing
• Believes you won’t forget faces once you meet people where they are

Collaboration Approach:

• Three C’s: Communicate, Collaborate, Cooperate
• Plans to work with city, county, and Republican representatives
• Wants to connect with all representatives
• Believes all of rural Georgia is suffering and missing opportunities, which is why she wants to collaborate with those representatives

Message to Voters:

• Every vote matters
• Character matters - watch what people do, not just what they say
• “Be about it, not just talk about it”
• Thanks voters in advance for considering her
• Asks voters to trust her as she trusts God

BLAKE ROBINSON

Background:

• Worked at Georgia state capitol for past 2 years
• Experience in Georgia politics for past 4 years
• Campaign promise: “bringing real solutions for real people”

Top Issues:

1. Affordability Crisis
2. Economic Opportunity
3. Community Investment

Experience Advantage:

• Seen what it takes to get bill from idea to law
• Built connections and relationships at the capitol
• Helped pass Senate Bill 93 on literacy while working with Senator Kemp
• Prepared to be effective legislator from day one

Collaboration Approach:

• Has experience working across the aisle
• Educated members when Democratic caucus pushed back on proposals
• Believes in finding common ground
• “We’re all state representatives” — not Republican vs. Democrat

Message to Voters:

• Don’t look at age — look at what he’s willing to bring
• Points to young legislators already getting results
• Vote based on what you want for your future, not just what you see in front of you

The elected candidate will be under the gold dome representing District 177 in January 2027.

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