- District Identifier: GA-HD-045
- Legislative Key: sldl:13:45
- Chamber: Georgia House of Representatives (Lower)
- State: Georgia (FIPS: 13)
- Geographic Scope: Cobb County, Georgia
¶ 2. Geography and Communities
- Location: Situated entirely within Cobb County in the northwest metropolitan Atlanta area, encompassing suburban communities and residential neighborhoods.
- Municipal Context: Covers portions of unincorporated Cobb County and areas adjacent to Marietta and Smyrna.
- Transportation: Served by major regional arteries including Interstate 75 and local state routes providing access to broader Atlanta transit grids.
- Environmental Features: Characterized by suburban watershed systems, local parks, and green spaces managed under county oversight.
¶ 3. Population and Electorate
- Baseline Population: Aligned with standard Georgia state legislative apportionment averaging approximately 59,585 residents per district as of the 2020 Census.
- Demographic Profile: Predominantly suburban electorate featuring diverse income brackets, multi-family developments, and established single-family residential communities.
- Voter Trends: Exhibits competitive partisan dynamics reflecting broader suburban shifts across metropolitan Atlanta.
¶ 4. Elections and Political Context (dated historical records)
- Current Representation: Represented by incumbent State Representative Sharon Cooper (R).
- Recent Electoral History: In the 2024 general election, incumbent Sharon Cooper (R) secured victory over challenger Eric Castater (D) with 57.5% of the vote. In 2022, Sharon Cooper (R) defeated Dustin McCormick (D) capturing 58.9% of the vote.
- Electoral Administration: Governed by the Georgia Secretary of State and administered locally through the Cobb County Board of Elections.
¶ 5. Economic and Civic Anchors
- Employment Hubs: Residents commute extensively into Atlanta, Cumberland CID, and Marietta commercial centers for employment in healthcare, technology, and professional services.
- Civic Institutions: Local community centers, public libraries, and regional healthcare facilities anchor civic participation.
- Educational Infrastructure: Served by the Cobb County School District public school network and proximity to regional higher education institutions.
¶ 6. People and Organizations to Map (include three correlation questions)
- Key Figures: Sharon Cooper (State Representative), local civic leaders, and municipal officials.
- Organizations: Cobb County Government, local chambers of commerce, and regional health networks.
- Correlation Question 1: How do healthcare infrastructure investments in Cobb County correlate with constituent engagement across Georgia House District 45?
- Correlation Question 2: To what extent have shifting suburban voter demographics in Cobb County influenced competitive margins in Georgia House District 45 elections?
- Correlation Question 3: What role do regional transit and commercial arteries play in connecting residents of Georgia House District 45 to metropolitan Atlanta employment centers?
¶ 7. Representation and Legislative Work
- Committee Assignments: Representative Cooper has historically held influential committee assignments focusing on public health, human services, and legislative policy within the Georgia General Assembly.
- Legislative Focus: Active engagement in healthcare legislation, public welfare, and state appropriations impacting suburban municipal governance.
- Constituent Services: Maintained through district offices offering direct liaison services with state agencies and local administrative bodies.