SAVANNAH, GA – August 19, 2025 – Coastal Georgia for Democracy will host a series of town halls across the region to give Georgia candidates ample opportunities to take the stage, share their vision, and hear directly from the public throughout the 2026 campaign season. The first Coastal Georgia Town Hall will take place on August 26, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Coastal Georgia Center, 305 Fahm Street.

The town hall will feature candidates from several upcoming races in Georgia. Confirmed speakers for the August 26 town hall are:

• Amanda Hollowell, Congressional candidate, Georgia’s First Congressional District

• Derrick Jackson, Georgia state Rep., candidate for Governor of Georgia

• Dr. Alicia Johnson, Public Service Commission (PSC) candidate

• Gabby Nelson, Mayor Pro Tem and Candidate for City Council Member for Port Wentworth

• Kendra Clark, Candidate for Georgia House of Representatives District 165

“With the 2025 Public Service Commission election in November, and the 2026 midterms approaching, now is the time for those in power to have an honest exchange with residents and businesses in Coastal Georgia,” said Co-Chair and Director of Outreach, Suzanne Potts, Coastal Georgia for Democracy. “The town halls will be a chance for leaders and neighbors alike to examine the real impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and discuss how to work together on political, economic, and community-based solutions for moving Georgia and Savannah forward.”

The federal reconciliation bill signed into law includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts that are paid for by decimating Medicare and Medicaid and cutting billions from much needed infrastructure spending. An estimated 300,000 Georgians will lose health coverage while rural hospitals and nursing homes close. In addition, tax incentives for clean energy will be cut and states like Georgia will end up shouldering more of the costs from SNAP(1). In April of this year, FEMA cut its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which included a promised $30 million grant to the City of Savannah to address drainage and flooding issues.

The Coastal Georgia Town Halls will be an opportunity for a dialogue on how to find a path forward with leaders that recognize the issues and want to solve them. With many vulnerable communities in Savannah and District One, from isolated rural towns to marginalized minorities, there’s never been a more important time for political candidates to understand the concerns of those they are aiming to represent.

Details on future town halls and candidate lineups will be shared as they are confirmed in the coming months and schedules are finalized.

1 “Historic Federal Tax Shift Benefits Wealthiest, Grows Deficit and Exacerbates Georgia’s Rural Challenges,” Georgia Budget & Policy Institute.

About Coastal Georgia for Democracy

Coastal Georgia for Democracy, a grassroots group of residents in the coastal Georgia region, is Savannah’s Indivisible group in Georgia’s District 1. We are committed to protecting democracy and promoting genuine equity and inclusion through progressive advocacy. We do not endorse candidates. We aim to defend and protect against attacks on constitutionally guaranteed freedoms, including safe and fair elections, and the voting rights of citizens. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and BlueSky.

Media Contact: 

Suzanne Moccia

Co-Chair, Director of Communications 

Coastal Georgia for Democracy 

suzanne_moccia@comcast.net