"Unfit to lead": Mailer from GOP candidate outrages Dems
GOP mail piece draws criticism from Dems
An otherwise uneventful race for a North Atlanta state house seat quickly became a topic of discussion as Democrats cried afoul over a mail piece from the GOP candidate.
On Wednesday, a voter took to social media to share a mail piece from Republican Deborah Silcox. The seemingly inoffensive flyer highlights her stances on police funding and property tax relief.
But it also says that Silcox, a former state lawmaker, is the only candidate in the race who can devote her full attention to being a legislator “because her adult kids are grown.”
Silcox’s Democratic opponent, Dr. Kelly Coffman, viewed the mailer as a personal attack because she is the mother of three young children. “I have 3 young kids, a psychiatric practice that is thriving, and I'm running an incredibly competitive campaign,” Coffman responded. “I know how to get things done, so why would you NOT vote for me?”
Democrats were quick to criticize the mailer. They reminded voters that the General Assembly is part-time with a yearly salary of roughly $17,000. Some female lawmakers even shared their own experiences with running for office while caring for their children or even being pregnant.
“She just shamed every working mother in Georgia,” said Democratic State Rep. Shea Roberts, who defeated Silcox in 2020. “That kind of offensive attack on women makes her unfit to lead.”
State Sen. Michelle Au pointed out that many Georgia women are also working moms. “If your point is that you think it would be TOO HARD to have young kids and to serve as a legislator, then just say that, but you’re kind of telling on yourself,” Au said.
Some even suggested that female candidates are held to different standards. “No one ever — EVER — asks fathers of young children how they will balance the legislature (or their careers) with fatherhood,” State Rep. Teri Anulewicz responded.
Silcox has not responded to the criticism.
Coffman and Silcox are running for a swingy state house seat in the North Atlanta suburbs. The district includes parts of Buckhead, Sandy Springs and Roswell.