- District ID: GA-SD-023
- Legislative Key: sldu:13:23
- Wiki Path: explore/places/ga/upper/23
- Current Representation: Max Burns (Republican)
- Data Vintage: 2023 Reapportionment cycle / 2026 active session
¶ 2. Geography and Communities
- Geographic Footprint: Located across East Georgia and the Central Savannah River Area.
- Counties Included: Southern Augusta-Richmond, Burke, western Columbia, Emanuel, Glascock, Jefferson, Jenkins, McDuffie, Screven, Taliaferro, and Warren counties.
- Municipal Centers: Includes Sylvania, Waynesboro, Thomson, and Louisville.
- Transport Corridors: U.S. Route 1, U.S. Route 25, and regional state highways linking rural agrarian communities.
¶ 3. Population and Electorate
- Total Population Metrics: Voting age population recorded at 190,344 during the 2023 reapportionment baseline.
- Demographic Composition: Mix of rural agricultural communities, suburban fringes near Augusta, and historically distinct small towns.
- Voter Registration: Diverse electorate balancing rural conservative voting blocks with active minority populations in eastern counties.
¶ 4. Elections and Political Context
- Historical Representation: Represented by former U.S. Representative Max Burns, a Republican from Sylvania first elected in 2020.
- Electoral Competitiveness: Highly competitive regional district combining rural conservatism with localized coalition voting.
- Election Administration: Coordinated across multiple county election boards in the CSRA region.
¶ 5. Economic and Civic Anchors
- Major Employers: Plant Vogtle nuclear facility in Burke County, agricultural enterprises, timber operations, and localized manufacturing.
- Educational Institutions: Local public school districts and regional technical college campuses.
- Civic Infrastructure: County extension offices, regional medical centers, and local civic organizations.
¶ 6. People and Organizations to Map
- Key Figures: State Senator Max Burns, county commissioners, and local municipal mayors.
- Civic Bodies: CSRA Regional Commission and local county chambers of commerce.
- Research Question 1: How do commodity price fluctuations and state agricultural extension programs impact farm income and small business stability across rural counties in Georgia Senate District 23?
- Research Question 2: What is the economic footprint of nuclear power generation and associated industrial facilities on local employment and tax bases in Burke County and adjacent jurisdictions?
- Research Question 3: To what extent do regional hospital closures and provider shortages affect preventative health outcomes across the ten-plus rural counties comprising District 23?
¶ 7. Representation and Legislative Work
- Committee Assignments: Legislative involvement in natural resources, agriculture, and government oversight committees.
- Legislative Priorities: Supporting agribusiness development, energy infrastructure expansion, and rural broadband deployment.
- Constituent Services: Multi-county outreach addressing agricultural assistance, state road maintenance, and senior services.