- District Identifier: GA-HD-040
- District Key: sldl:13:40
- Wiki Path: explore/places/ga/lower/40
- Legislative Chamber: Georgia House of Representatives, Lower Chamber
- State FIPS Code: 13
- Current Representative: Kimberly New (Republican)
¶ 2. Geography and Communities
- Geographic Scope: Encompasses parts of Cobb County in the northwestern Atlanta metropolitan area.
- Municipal Connections: Intersects suburban residential neighborhoods and commercial sectors within Cobb County.
- Transportation Infrastructure: Connected via regional arterial roadways and commuter networks linking to major employment hubs in Atlanta.
- Environmental Systems: Part of the broader Chattahoochee River drainage basin and local watershed management zones.
- Adjacent Districts: Shares borders with neighboring Georgia House districts in Cobb County.
- Regional Context: Operates as part of the dynamic suburban ring surrounding Atlanta.
¶ 3. Population and Electorate
- Total Population: Reported as 59,326 residents based on census vintages.
- Racial and Ethnic Demographics: 58.2% White, 24.2% Black, 6.2% Hispanic, and 9.0% Asian.
- Electorate Characteristics: Suburban electorate exhibiting evolving voting patterns and engagement across diverse communities.
- Housing and Households: Predominantly single-family residential subdivisions and multi-family complexes.
- Income Distribution: Mix of middle-income and upper-middle-income working households.
- Civic Participation: Active voter turnout during primary and general election cycles.
¶ 4. Elections and Political Context (dated historical records)
- Recent Representation: Served by Rich Golick (1998–2019), Erick Allen (2019–2023), Doug Stoner (2023–2025), and Kimberly New (since 2025).
- 2024 General Election: Incumbent Kimberly New (Republican) secured election victory over opponent Montenia Edwards (Democratic) on November 5, 2024, with 59.3% of the vote (18,869 votes) to 40.7% (12,924 votes).
- 2022 General Election: Doug Stoner (Democratic) won the general election on November 8, 2022.
- 2020 General Election: Incumbent Erick Allen (Democratic) defeated Taryn Bowman (Republican) on November 3, 2020, capturing 58.4% of the vote (20,716 votes).
- Historical Competitiveness: Seat has experienced shifts between Democratic and Republican representation over past election cycles.
- Election Administration: Managed by the Cobb County Board of Elections under Georgia election law.
¶ 5. Economic and Civic Anchors
- Local Commerce: Retail centers, neighborhood commercial plazas, and service-sector businesses.
- Employment Base: Residents largely commute to regional employment nodes in Atlanta, Marietta, and Cumberland.
- Civic Institutions: Local community centers, public libraries, and religious organizations serving local neighborhoods.
- Educational Facilities: Public schools operating under the Cobb County School District jurisdiction.
- Healthcare Access: Proximity to major regional medical centers and healthcare networks in Cobb County.
- Infrastructure Support: Local utility providers and public works managed in coordination with county services.
¶ 6. People and Organizations to Map
- Key Political Figures: Representative Kimberly New, former representatives Doug Stoner, Erick Allen, and Rich Golick.
- Civic Groups: Local homeowner associations, business alliances, and community volunteer networks.
- Institutional Stakeholders: Cobb County government bodies and local school district administrators.
- Research Question 1: How do shifting demographic concentrations across Cobb County suburban corridors correlate with voting behavior changes in Georgia House District 40?
- Research Question 2: To what extent do legislative policy positions of representatives in Georgia House District 40 reflect local municipal priorities in Cobb County?
- Research Question 3: What is the economic impact of regional transportation links on local business retention and workforce commuting patterns within Georgia House District 40?
¶ 7. Representation and Legislative Work
- Legislative Duties: Representing constituent interests in the Georgia House of Representatives.
- Committee Assignments: Participating in assigned house committees during legislative sessions.
- Policy Focus: Addressing local taxation, education funding, transportation, and suburban infrastructure needs.
- Constituent Services: Providing district office assistance, casework, and direct communication channels for residents.
- Legislative Vitals: Operating under regular two-year election terms in the Georgia General Assembly.
- Official Resources: Legislative activities tracked via the Georgia General Assembly Official Website.