www.starnewsgaonline.com StarNews January 14, 2024 Page 5
State Representative David Huddleston begins his second year under the Gold Dome
Retired from Carroll EMC and a fifth generation farmer, he lives on his family farm in Roopville where he and his son operate a cow-calf operation, chicken houses, hayfields and beehives
story by Wayne J. Reynolds
David Huddleston was elected in 2022 as State
Representative for District 72. He began serving his second year
on January 9, 2024 when the Georgia General Assembly
convened for Day 1 of business. State Rep. Huddleston’s
district includes portions of Carroll, Heard and Troup counties.
The Georgia General Assembly is older than the United
States Congress, having been created in 1777 during the
American Revolutionary War. The Georgia Senate, referred to
as the upper house, has 56 members while the Georgia House of
Representatives, the lower house, has 180. Members from each
body serve for two years, but have no limit (a term limit) to the
number of times they can be re-elected. Recently,
Representative Huddleston reflected on his freshman year.
“In my first year, I learned so much. When I talk with people,
I share with them I am not a typical politician. I am more of a
servant - serving people,” Huddleston said. “People ask me if
I’m going to make a career out of this. I respond by saying -1
should have started before turning 58! People chuckle, and that
is what I want. We can then have a conversation.”
Huddleston said that he received two valuable pieces of
advice this past year. One was, now that you are elected, people
will think you are an expert. Huddleston says he is far from it.
But, he began learning and establishing contacts so when people
did have a question or problem, he knew where to direct them.
“For example, prior to the session last year, I went to the state
budget department, met the department head, introduced myself
and asked to meet the rest of the staff so as to learn their
responsibilities. When I went back, they knew me. You need to
be proactive, not reactive! When I talk to groups they ask me to
share, and I ask them to share with me. I am your
representative. It is amazing the people I have met across the
district.
“The second piece of advice I received was, ‘You can’t be
everywhere all the time. ’ I stmggled with that, but came to
realize it is a marathon, not a sprint. You can be as busy as you
want to be, but I try to be available to people. As I said, I am
their servant.”
Huddleston said his biggest surprise was his second week in
the session which is when departments provide their budgets
and Huddleston realized how much money it took to mn the
state. And the State of Georgia is a business.
Rep. Huddleston said, “We all pay taxes, and I want to make
sure as a person, district, an area, we get a return on that tax
investment. It may come in a variety of ways - suspension of
the tax tax, community services, grants, equipment for law
enforcement, education, etc. There are a number of ways that
money may come back to the district. That is my biggest
challenge, being an eagle’s eye to make sure those dollars come
back to the district.”
He said he learned that, as a legislator, they create laws, they
have no power to enforce them. Enforcement is up to the state
agencies. People needto understand that. “But, also letting them
know I am their voice.”
A Gwinnett legislator remarked to Huddleston that he can go
across his district in 15 minutes. For Huddleston, he discovered
it’s a one hour and fifteen minute long drive to cross his district:
Hogansville to Carrollton. “I represent seven cities, seven
different city councils, three county commissions, four police
departments, and three sheriff’s departments. All in the same
district, but each with different needs and different relationships.
I leam every time I do something.!”
Huddleston has learned to take advantage of opportunities to
share such as the time when he dropped by a Hogansville
council meeting and was given the opportunity to speak.
“People see me and know I am available. I work at gaining their
confidence and then work at building on that foundation.”
He was also advised that it is not a part time job, but rather a
full time job. “I am busier now than when I worked foil time for
Carroll EMC. I also learned that I don’t have to always agree
with people. Together, we can sit down and listen and leam
regardless of background or party affiliation.”
The 2023 General Assemby session featured 53 new
legislators - -the largest freshman class ever and the leadership
established a mentor program to mentor the new legislators.
State Represenative J Collins from Villa Rica was
Huddleston’s mentor. “Jay did a great job of helping, sometimes
just showing up and putting a hand on my shoulder to see how
District 72 State Representative David Huddleston
it was going. Also, the entire delegation from Troup and Carroll
have been great in answering all my questions and offering
advice.”
State Rep. Huddleston also announced he is running for re-
election. “I have had a great time and have learned from the
people. I have established the contacts and the experience to
work for my district’s residents.”
See DAVID HUDDLESTON page 6
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