Tonya Peterson Anderson (born July 16, 1969) is an American pastor and politician who serves in the Georgia State Senate. She previously served in the Georgia House of Representatives, from 2013 to 2015. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
Tonya Anderson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Georgia Senate from the 43rd district | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | JaNice Van Ness |
| Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 92nd district | |
| In office January 14, 2013 – September 14, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Pam Stephenson |
| Succeeded by | Doreen Carter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 16, 1969 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence(s) | Lithonia, Georgia, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Alabama State University Luther Rice University |
| Profession | Pastor |
Anderson was a candidate District 43 of the Georgia State Senate in the 2016 election. She advanced to a runoff election against Dee Dawkins-Haigler. Anderson led Dawkins-Haigler in the official vote count by 0.12 percent (4,276 votes to 4,266 votes), leading to Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp to order a recount.[1] The recount confirmed Anderson's victory over Dawkins-Haigler by 10 votes.[2]
Anderson defeated Republican incumbent Janice Frey Van Ness. The two women faced off prior in a December 2015 run- off, resulting in a very narrow win for Van Ness. Anderson was sworn into the State Senate on January 9, 2017. Before serving in the legislature, Anderson served as the mayor of Lithonia. Anderson has served in the Air Force Reserves.[3] She also served as Chair of the Georgia Women's Legislative Caucus.[4]
References
edit- ^ Niesse, Mark. "Recount ordered in tight Ga. Senate runoff". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ^ Niesse, Mark. "Anderson's narrow runoff win for Ga. Senate confirmed". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
- ^ "Rep. Tonya Anderson" (PDF). Georgia House of Representatives. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
- ^ "Rep. Tonya Anderson Named Chair of Women's Caucus". 19 February 2015.
External links
edit- Profile at the Georgia State Senate
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Biography at Ballotpedia
- Profile at the Georgia General Assembly from the 2013-2014 Session