Former Lithonia city Councilwoman Doreen Carter is making a foray into the state level with a bid as a Democratic candidate for the new state House District 92, which has no incumbent Representative.

Carter, 49, an accountant, served on the city council 2008-2011, chairing the finance committee, and also made an unsuccessful bid for mayor of Lithonia in 2011.

“Working for DeKalb and Rockdale (as a Representative), I’d get to expand the good work I’ve been doing and get to know the people here.”

She touted her experience on the city council and in the community. 

“One of the things coming on to that council, I made sure we put financial policies in place, had our finances in order, hired a professional accountant. The city is now poised for growth and they can access funding in various sources,” she said.

She also described service outside of elected office, such as organizing the Stonecrest Business Alliance, which she said just received an LCI grant. She is currently president of the Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce and has served as the stewardship director for New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.

With three children between the ages of 11 and 14, education is another passion for Carter.  She currently works part time at the Georgia PTA as a financial specialist.

“We have an opportunity now for education reform and we need that kind of legislation supported at the Capitol,” she said. “One of the things we’ve seen over the years is that teachers spend so much time preparing the children for testing that they have not been able to spend the time educating them.”

She was also opposed to the bill for the charter school referendum that recently passed through the legislature.

“I’m not an advocate of doing anything that would fundamentally hurt education. I think this bill was not a good bill,” she said.

“I believe we should put the appropriate funding in the public schools where the masses of the children go and continue to explore opportunities to teach them.”

Transportation is another priority issue, said Carter

“I think we have great opportunity to work collaboratively with elected officials in Rockdale and DeKalb to ensure we have quality education, resources for our seniors and our youth, and that we do something creative and aggressive relating to transportation.”

A native Atlantan and Grady baby, Carter graduated from Murphy High School in 1981, received her Bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and is currently enrolled in Kennesaw State University’s executive MBA program, which she will receive in May. She also holds a Master’s in Theology from Life University in Tampa, Fla.

She had considered running for state House before, when Rep. Randal Mangham contacted her about running for his seat, but she realized she would have to vacate her city council seat. 

“I am committed to finishing the things that I start,” she said. She praised Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick, who won the seat for District 94, which covers DeKalb and Rockdale, but whose new district will now be in Gwinnett and DeKalb.

Doreen Williams, treasurer of the Rockdale County Democratic Party, previously announced her bid for the District 92 seat as a Democrat.

For more information, contact doreenrobersoncarter@gmail.com