Sheri Gilligan Explained

Sheri Gilligan
Term Start:August 5, 2015
Term End:January 9, 2023
Predecessor:Mark Hamilton
Successor:Carter Barrett
Birth Name:Sheri Smallwood[1]
Birth Date:25 March 1963
Birth Place:Cumming, Georgia, U.S.
Party:Republican
Alma Mater:University of Georgia
Children:4
State House:Georgia
District:24th

Sheri Smallwood Gilligan[2] [3] (born March 25, 1963) is an American politician who served in the Georgia House of Representatives for the 24th district from 2015 to 2023.[4] [5] Gilligan was first elected in 2015 in a special election after previous representative Mark Hamilton resigned; she beat out three other opponents to complete Hamilton's remaining 18-month term.[6]

Gilligan was born and raised in Forsyth County. While in high school, she competed at rifle shooting and set a new state record.[7] After graduating from the University of Georgia, Gilligan moved to the Washington, D.C. area, where she worked as an intelligence analyst for two decades, including at the CIA. She also joined the Naval Reserve.

She is also a substitute teacher for Forsyth County Schools; she previously taught as an adjunct instructor at Lanier Technical College.

A self-described conservative,[8] Gilligan supports gun rights, wants to lower taxes, and restricting abortion.[9]

Gilligan plays the oboe.

Elections

Special election, 2015

A special election was held on June 16, 2015 to fill Mark Hamilton's seat in district 24. Gilligan won the election with nearly half the vote.[10]

General election, 2016

Gilligan ran unopposed during the 2016 primaries, going on to earn 25,996 votes in the general election.[11] [12]

Primary and general elections, 2018

In 2018, Gilligan was challenged during the May 22 primary elections by Joanna Cloud, but defeated Cloud with 60% of the vote.[13] In the general election, Gillian ran unopposed once again, garnering 23,646 votes.[14]

Primary and general elections, 2022

Gilligan was defeated by Carter Barrett in a runoff in 2022.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Forsyth County conservative Sheri Smallwood Gilligan to run for State House . votegilligan.com . 26 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160826231010/http://votegilligan.com/forsyth-county-conservative-sheri-smallwood-gilligan-to-run-for-state-house/ . 2016-08-26 . 2016.
  2. Web site: Galloway . Jim . Mereda Johnson, wife of congressman, wins top berth in DeKalb commission runoff . . 26 February 2019.
  3. Web site: Chandler . Thom . Who is running in the May 22 Georgia Primary? . The Georgia Sun . 26 February 2019 . March 5, 2018.
  4. Web site: Kathleen Sturgeon . Gilligan wins House District 24 runoff . Northfulton.com . 2015-07-17 . 2018-12-17.
  5. Web site: Representative Sheri Gilligan . House.ga.gov . 2018-12-17.
  6. Web site: Whitmire . Kelly . Field set at four in race for Forsyth state House seat . . 26 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150522170318/https://www.forsythnews.com/section/1/article/27423/ . 2015-05-22 . May 20, 2015.
  7. Web site: Rep. Sheri Gilligan (R-24) Biography . Georgia House of Representatives . 26 February 2019.
  8. Web site: Sturgeon . Kathleen . Four vie for Georgia House District 24 seat . northfulton.com . 26 February 2019 . June 2, 2015.
  9. News: Whitmire . Kelly . Gilligan wants 'to continue the good work' . 26 February 2019 . . May 2, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190226053312/https://www.forsythnews.com/local/state-government/gilligan-wants-continue-good-work/ . 2019-02-26 . live.
  10. Web site: Georgia Election Results, Special Election, June 16, 2015 . Georgia Secretary of State . 15 July 2019.
  11. Web site: Georgia Election Results, General Primary and Nonpartisan General Election, May 24, 2016 . Georgia Secretary of State . 15 July 2019.
  12. Web site: Georgia Election Results, General Election, November 8, 2016 . Georgia Secretary of State . 15 July 2019.
  13. Web site: Georgia Election Results, General Primary and Nonpartisan General Election, May 22, 2018 . Georgia Secretary of State . 15 July 2019.
  14. Web site: Georgia Election Results, General Election, November 6, 2018 . Georgia Secretary of State . 15 July 2019.