Mike Cheokas is a former Republican member of the Georgia House of Representatives, representing District 138 from 2005 to 2017.
Cheokas' professional experience includes working as a businessman.
Following his unopposed victory in the November 2, 2010, general election, Cheokas switched his party affiliation from Democratic to Republican. He stated, "My fiscally conservative voting record reflects that effort and the views of my constituents, which ultimately led me to join the House Republican Caucus."
Former Secretary, Appropriations Sub-Committee on Higher Education, Georgia State House of Representatives
Former Vice-Chair, Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee, Georgia State House of Representatives
Former Member, Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee, Georgia State House of Representatives
Former Member, Health and Human Services Committee, Georgia State House of Representatives
Former Vice-Chair, Information and Audits Committee, Georgia State House of Representatives
Former Member, Insurance Committee, Georgia State House of Representatives
Former Member, State Properties Committee, Georgia State House of Representatives
Former Member, Subcommittee on Higher Education Committee, Georgia State House of Representatives
Vice Chair, Education
Member, Health and Human Services
Member, Subcommittee on Higher Education
Member, Working Group on Creative Arts and Entertainment
Reason for Seeking Public Office:
The future of our community is on the line, and it is vital that we have an effective leader who can deliver for our community.
Too often, we place more importance on political party affiliation rather than who can be effective in actually delivering for us.
Partisan politics do not matter when it comes to be effective in delivering for our district. It doesn't matter when it comes to providing our children with the education they deserve. It doesn't matter when it comes to securing resources to improve our community. It doesn't matter when it comes to improving healthcare, creating opportunities, balancing budgets, and keeping taxes low or standing up for our farmers.
I am the only candidate in this race with the ability to be effective and actually deliver for this district and our families.
I have proven that as your State Representative.
As a member of House Leadership, I have worked with House Leaders and the Governor to secure nearly $1 billion additional dollars for Georgia's public schools. That means more money for our local schools here at home. It means teacher pay raises and an end to furlough days.
I stood up to protect rural access to affordable and quality healthcare.
I joined Governor Deal in passing policies that have made Georgia the number 1 state in the nation to do business in order to create jobs and opportunities for hard working families.
I have stood strong to cut wasteful spending, balance the budget and keep taxes low so you have more money to save and spend to support your own family.
And I ensured that we passed legislation to protect our farmers and agriculture industry that is the backbone of our economy.
As our district has needed important facilities or improvements, as a Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I have delivered. I have secured vital resources to improve our community. When Georgia Southwestern needed additional resources, I delivered. When South Georgia Tech wasn't even on the list to receive resources they needed to build a new facility to grow their campus in an effort to build a trained workforce, I delivered. I worked with state leaders to get them on the list and secure the money they needed.
I love this community. I was born and raised here. Grew up with many of you. And I have spent years working hard to improve our community--long before running for office. I have served on countless boards, donated to charities, supported our churches, and as a business owner, I have employed many of our citizens.
I ran to be your State Representative not to advance a political agenda but to work hard every day and do everything within my power to help our families and improve our community.
That is exactly what I have done as your Representative.
This election is about electing an effective leader we can trust to stand up for our families, provide our community with a voice and deliver for us.
If you honor me with your vote, that is what I promise to do.