NE Atlanta News

In a crowded field of eight candidates seeking the nomination in the Republican primary to face off for Georgia’s 6th Congressional District seat, Mallory Staples is hoping to set herself apart from the others.

According to her campaign website, Staples described herself as a conservative Christian and a "MAGA mom" who has experience as a teacher and small business owner, but how much do district voters know about her? According to Liz Kuhn, a voter who lives in the district, not much. 

“I have no idea who she is,” Kuhn told NE Atlanta News, adding that she has seen Staples' signs and knows she is running for the 6th Congressional District seat. 

According to Ballotpedia, Staples joins fellow Republicans Jake Evans, Byron Gatewood, Meagan Hanson, Blake Harbin, Rich McCormick, Paulette Smith, Suzi Voyles and Eugene Yu in the primary.  

“I’ve never heard of her, and I’m not familiar with anything that she’s done for my district,” Kuhn said. 

The district is currently represented by Lucy McBath (D-Marietta), who is seeking reelection in the newly redrawn 7th District, according to McBath’s website.

According to Ballotpedia, the winner of the Democratic primary contest between Bob Christian and Wayne White will face off against the candidate who prevails in the GOP primary. Kuhn said she herself has been a candidate for superior court judge, a nonpartisan race, and said she’s never met Staples and doesn’t believe she’s the right candidate for the district. Kuhn acknowledged that candidates don’t necessarily have to live in the district, but she doesn’t know how someone living elsewhere can know what is important to 6th District voters. 

“So there's always been a lot of information about candidates in the sixth, and I just haven't heard much about her at all,” Kuhn said.

Kuhn added that it is important for voters to know about all of the candidates, not just Staples, including where they stand on key issues, from expanding Medicare and Medicaid to positions on issues such as health care, taxes and balancing the needs of the country with those of the 6th District. 

“I don’t know any of that about her,” she said.