MEET BRIAN
rooted in faith and family
Brian grew up on his family’s farm in Henry County. After graduating from Henry County High School, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration Economics from Valdosta State University, followed by a Juris Doctor degree from Florida Coastal School of Law.
After getting his law degree, Brian returned home to McDonough and started practicing law at Smith Welch Webb and White. Brian and Lindsay married in 2014 and they are now raising their two boys, Charles Willis and Beecher, in Brian’s hometown. Brian is a partner at Smith Welch Webb and White and has a general litigation law practice that he manages.
The family is active members of McDonough Presbyterian Church and participates in various community organizations.
experience matters
Brian was first elected to the State House in 2012 and served in the House until he ran for the State Senate in 2017. He has served in the State Senate since January of 2018 and currently serves as the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Additionally, he co-chairs the Mental Health Caucus in the State Senate and has led on numerous issues, including fighting for our most vulnerable Georgians, combatting human trafficking, promoting mental health reform, and fighting for our foster care families and those with special needs.
Brian has developed and led legislation to protect and support first responders. He also stood strong on cutting taxes and unnecessary government regulation while also directly advocating for necessary funding for the south and east metro Atlanta region.
District 42
State Senate
Oct 25
Absentee Ballot Deadline
Oct 15 – Nov 1
Early Voting
Nov 5
Election Day
priorities
Fight Inflation
Our current economic situation is untenable. Families are struggling with out-of-control prices on everyday necessities. We took action in the State Senate by cutting the state income by $1.1 billion, doubling the homestead exemption from $2000 to $4000 for the first time since 1978, and increasing the child tax deduction by $1000 per child.
Support At-Risk Children
Last year, I authored SB 133, which introduced badly needed reforms to our state’s DFCS system and helped children who were falling through the cracks in foster care; the bill passed overwhelmingly and Governor Kemp signed it into law. I continued efforts this year by co-sponsoring SB 376, which further clarifies the requirements for DFCS to remove children from the home and ensures timely permanent placement for children being removed. Kids in crisis need to be swiftly placed in a stable, healthy environment so that they can get on the right track, and this legislation expedites that process.
Address the Effects of Illegal Immigrants
There is a humanitarian crisis unfolding at our southern border. Not enough is being done to enforce our federal laws and protect our national interests. It’s not just illegal immigration that gets worse, but also the opioid epidemic, violent gang activity, and threats to national security. Although protecting the border starts at the federal level, there are measures we can implement as a state to insulate ourselves. We passed HB 1105, the Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act of 2024, which requires local law enforcement to help federal agents enforce immigration laws and enact penalties for sheriffs and jailers who do not contact federal officials to check prisoners’ immigration status.
Reform Mental Health Care
Those who suffer from mental illness are some of our state’s most vulnerable individuals, and the issues facing them are often highly complex. For example, people suffering from mental illness who commit crimes must undergo a period of “restoration” before they are considered competent to stand trial; however, the facilities that administer this process are routinely filled to capacity, leaving mentally unstable individuals waiting indefinitely in our jails for care before they can have their day in court. I authored SB 533, which allows for these programs to be administered in jail facilities so that these individuals are not forced to wait until a position becomes available in a hospital. This bill passed with wide bipartisan support, and I am proud to have sponsored this measure to assist both our healthcare system and law enforcement.
connect with brian
I look forward to the opportunity to share the legislation I have fought for at the State Capitol along with the vision I have for our state and region moving forward. I hope to see you on the campaign trail soon and encourage you to reach out to me directly if you have any particular questions or thoughts to share. Together, we can set aside all the political noise thrown at us and work to move this state forward and keep Walton, Newton, Henry, and Morgan great places to grow a career and raise a family.
