This week, Now Georgia is running a series of candidate profiles for the open seat of Georgia Senate District 15. This will be the first time the seat has been vacant in 33 years.
Chuck Hand was born and raised in Columbus, Georgia. His mom was a paramedic, and his father Charlie was a Master Mechanic. Both his dad and grandaddy raced at East Alabama Speedway. The family moved to Geneva when Chuck was a boy before settling in Butler, Georgia, the county seat of Taylor County.
“My parents taught me that if you don’t work, you don’t eat. I wound up getting a job right out of high school,” he said.
Hand has worked in construction for most of his life. He was also raised with a respect for politics and has exercised his right to vote since he was 18 years old.
Chuck Hand’s experience
“I started paying more attention to platforms and what candidates stood for. Then I became more involved, helping with campaigns and knocking on doors for those running for office who shared my conservative values,” explained Hand.
On January 6, 2021, he and his wife traveled to Washington, D.C. to take part in protesting the election of Joe Biden against Donald Trump. The objective was to keep Trump in power by preventing Congress from formalizing the victory of President-Elect Biden. Five people died during the protest and almost 200 were injured.
“There were people there doing stupid stuff, but we were there as peaceful protestors. There is a lot of hate and divisiveness in our country, but we want to spread love and growth for District 15.”
He initially qualified to run against Sanford Bishop’s 2nd Congressional seat, but when Georgia State Senator Ed Harbison announced his retirement, Hand changed his plans.
“There is no way I want to tear down Senator Harbison’s accomplishments. I want to build on his success. I feel that I can do that in the counties represented in District 15. Outside of Muscogee County and the county seat, Columbus, the district is largely rural. I know the lay of the land and the people,” explained Hand.
He added that his mission hasn’t changed, just the goal. Beyond Muscogee County, that objective includes representing Chattahoochee, Macon, Marion, Schley, Talbot, and Taylor counties.
Lessons learned
Chuck and his wife Mandy have three grown children and four grandchildren, with another on the way.
“I want to create opportunities for young people to want to stay in this district, which has dwindled over the years in many areas.”
Hand believes the best way to lead growth is to create more jobs, lower taxes, and create safer communities.
He and other Republican candidates for state and national offices will appear at Southern Comfort: A Night in Unadilla on April 18.
Follow Chuck Hand for Georgia for more information. You can also reach him at 478-391-2198.
