Meet the candidates running for the Macon-Bibb County Commission District 2 seat
Incumbent Paul W. Bronson, who was first elected to the commission in 2020, will face Wallace Herring on May 21 in the race for District 2 on the Macon-Bibb County Commission.
Bronson graduated from Fort Valley State University with a master’s degree in mental health counseling, and obtained a Master of Business Administration degree in 2018 at Wesleyan College. He works as a senior human resources officer in the U.S. Department of Defense. Herring currently works as an insurance agent with Alfa Insurance and holds a degree in accounting and finance from Tuskegee University.
Key issues the candidates cited include economic growth, public safety and affordable housing. Bronson was especially proud of his previous work supporting minority-owned businesses in downtown Macon. Herring emphasized his past work serving the community through nonprofits in the Macon area.
Early voting for the District 2 race ends May 17. Election Day is May 21. The new term will begin Jan. 1. Because the race is non-partisan, it will be decided in May instead of during the General Election in November.
The answers below are from the candidates in their own words, but slight edits have been made for clarity and writing style.
Paul W. Bronson
What makes you qualified to run for office?
Prior to becoming a commissioner, I felt that my seven years of working as a Bibb County firefighter and with the Georgia Department of Safety provided me [with a] clear understanding of public safety. It created a strong base for me to stand on when speaking on the matters of what citizens needed and the resources required for our men and women in uniform to complete the job.
I feel that my education in mental health equips me with compassion and desire to help those in need with advocating for better programs and support. In supporting small and minority businesses in the downtown and surrounding areas, my degree in business gave me the knowledge to strengthen our small business department and grow the economic base needed in this city.
In our efforts to tackle blight and build relations with our community leaders, I contribute my 21 years of military service answering calls to state disasters, national emergencies, and global conflicts. As an officer, it’s important to me that we are transparent in our dealings, clearly communicate with our citizens, and create opportunities for growth.
Being involved and making positive change happen prior to holding an elected office to me speaks volumes and is evidence of my dedication to this community. Overall, working for the White House, interning at the state level, and having served the last four years as commissioner, I have gained the necessary knowledge and skills that our district deserves, and it would be an honor if I am allowed to continue building my education, and most importantly, serving you!
How do you plan on connecting with Macon residents on the campaign trail and if elected to office?
Immediately before and after being elected, I held town halls and community forums to provide citizens an update to the status of projects happening around the district. Each Tuesday, I take roughly about an hour and a half to call citizens and conduct a status check with them. During the month, I send out birthday and celebration cards that acknowledge newlyweds, reaching 100-year of joy, and new additions to the family.
Throughout the quarter, I present “Coins of Excellence” to citizens who show dedication and love for our city through selfless acts and random kindness. I believe it’s the small things that matter and make living here in Macon all that more special.
What are the three biggest issues you see in Macon-Bibb County?
Communication, economic stability and development inequality.
How do you plan to solve those issues while in office?
Continue to host Community Check-ins, development brainstorming sessions, and advocate for additional support from the mayor and fellow commissioners. I would increase my quarterly meetings that allow citizens to not only voice their thoughts, but to actually put together a plan of action that would increase participation and teamwork at all levels.
Is there anything else you would like to add that you feel is important for voters to know?
It’s been an honor to serve over the past 25 years of my life, with four of them being as an elected official, and I humbly ask for their continued support to reelect me to represent the district. Thank you all for believing in me and supporting the cause, but most importantly thank you for trusting me to get the job done. In all, no matter what…It’s a team effort!
Wallace Herring
What makes you qualified to run for office?
I was born and raised here in Macon. I come from a family of public servants, pastors, educators and law enforcement. It has always been my belief that it is better to serve than to be served! And as such, I have dedicated my life to a life of service. Upon graduating from Southwest High School. I went on to attend Tuskegee University on an athletic and academic scholarship.
After graduating from Tuskegee with a degree in finance, I was blessed to live and work in several states where I obtained a wealth of knowledge in leadership, management and business. Fourteen years ago, I came back to my roots and started a business in the city that helped raise me. I am involved and love this community and want only the best for it.
As such, I am a member of Glorious Hope Baptist Church, where I serve on the trustee board. I also serve on the Middle Georgia Regional Commission, Historic Macon Board, and I am a proud member of 100 Black Men of Macon Middle Georgia. After observing the disparities prevalent in our society, I became involved with Men About Change where I also serve as a board member.
Men About Change is a nonprofit charitable project providing educational enrichment, early learning/childcare, mentoring, and supervisory services to at-risk youth in the greater Macon area. I am an advocate for youth workforce development and supporting partnerships between business and industry, government and public schools. Our youth deserve an opportunity to have a career that pays well, affords them the opportunity to have a home and build a legacy for future generations here in Macon.
My heart is that of a servant leader and I am ready to serve District 2 and this great city. Simply said, Macon Matters To Me!
How do you plan on connecting with Macon residents on the campaign trail and if elected to office?
I have started meeting with community leaders and the residents of District 2. I will continue to have meet and greets, knock on doors, attend worship services, and listen to the people that I will serve while campaigning. There’s power in being quiet and inviting others to share their stories, their vision, and their hopes for our community.
While in office I will make sure I’m available and present in my district. Throughout this campaign, I have stated that it’s time for accountability. To that point, once elected, it is my plan to have quarterly engagement meetings with the constituents of District 2. It will be important for me to make sure that I do what I say I am going to do.
I want to be held accountable for the work I will be elected to do. Additionally, I want to make sure that I stay connected with the community and the needs of those I will serve. Quarterly community meetings will achieve this objective.
What are the three biggest issues you see in Macon-Bibb County?
The three biggest issues that I see here in Macon-Bibb County are improving public safety, supporting equitable economic growth and safe and affordable housing options.
How do you plan to solve those issues while in office?
When it comes to public safety, I want to make our neighborhoods safer by investing in proven, community-based strategies to prevent violent crime, including programs like Macon Violence Prevention. Moreover, I support investing in programs that give our youth the resources and opportunities they need to be successful. Better said, it takes a village! As commissioner, I will work with community leaders, churches and residents to continue to put programs in place that will give our youth better options.
I also support providing law enforcement and first responders the resources they need and provide job incentives like better pay, promotion opportunities and home ownership resources to keep them in the community for which they serve. I also support programs that assign trained mental health professionals to work in partnership with law enforcement.
Supporting equitable economic growth will involve a two fold approach. First, I believe that our youth are our future and we must support and encourage them with the resources they need to be successful. Keeping that young talent here in Macon benefits our communities.
I believe we need to hold businesses accountable when they decide to do business in District 2 by ensuring that they are involved in the community. They can sponsor community events, partner with our schools and help fund community initiatives.
I also believe we have to attract new business to the district by providing tax breaks and other incentives. We must convince businesses and companies that Macon is a great place to do business and our economic well-being, vitality, and health is homogeneous. It depends on smart economic growth.
Safe and affordable housing options are a must. Once elected in office I have a plan to work with the local government and the private sector to take blighted properties and neighborhoods and turn them into thriving, diverse communities where residents can have affordable housing options.
I will also incentivize investment in affordable housing options for civic workers (teachers and first responders).
I will hold landlords accountable for health and safety violations to ensure safe and equitable housing for all.
Is there anything else you would like to add that you feel is important for voters to know?
I recognize the voices that have been hushed, the pleas that have gone unheard, and the dreams that have been deferred for many in Macon. For too long, many have felt ignored or marginalized. I am here because I know that together, we can change that. Macon is a great place to live and it’s time to change the narrative and make sure that all Maconites thrive!
I encourage all citizens to go out and exercise your right to vote on Tuesday, May 21, 2024! And I would be honored and much appreciative if on that day you would vote WALLACE HERRING for County Commissioner District 2.
