The Clayton Crescent asked candidates who are running for the Georgia House District 75 seat vacated by former Rep. Mike Glanton to answer some questions about their priorities and key issues like the jet fuel tax, education, firearms, abortion, and LGBTQ+ rights.
All three candidates—Herman “Drew” Andrews (D), Della Ashley (R), and Eric Bell II (D)—got the survey at the same time and all responded. Each question required a short answer and candidates were told that overly long answers (more than a few sentences or a short paragraph) would be edited for space.
You can see candidate filings with the Georgia Campaign Finance Commission and Clayton County’s EasyFile portal.
How long have you lived in District 75?
 Herman “Drew” Andrews | 17 years |
 Della Ashley | 27 years |
 Eric Bell II | 31 years |
What do you do for a living?
Herman “Drew” Andrews | Retired veteran |
Della Ashley | Self-employed caregiver nurse |
Eric Bell II | Government Affairs Coordinator, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport |
What other appointed or elected offices have you held, if any?
Herman “Drew” Andrews | Vice Chair, Development Authority of Clayton County |
Della Ashley | None in the government |
Eric Bell II | Mental Health Board member |
What other elected offices have you run for, if any?
Herman “Drew” Andrews | Georgia House District 75 (2016, 2022) |
Della Ashley | Clayton County Board of Education (District 2) |
Eric Bell II | Clayton County Board of Commissioners (District 3) |
Have you filed your January 31, 2023 Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report?
Herman “Drew” Andrews | Yes |
Della Ashley | Did not file on January 31, 2023 |
Eric Bell II | No |
Have you filed any Two-Day Reports for campaign donations of $1,000 or more?
Herman “Drew” Andrews | No |
Della Ashley | No |
Eric Bell II | No |
Have you filed a Declaration of Intent (DOI) to receive campaign contributions?
Herman “Drew” Andrews | Yes |
Della Ashley | Yes |
Eric Bell II | Yes |
Have you filed an Affidavit of a Candidate’s Intent Not to Exceed $2,500 in Contributions and/or Expenditures?
Herman “Drew” Andrews | No |
Della Ashley | No |
Eric Bell II | No |
What are the two most pressing issues you hope to address if you are elected to House District 75?
Herman “Drew” Andrews | The two most pressing issues impacting HD 75 are economic and workforce development. Clayton County remains the most impoverished in the Metro Atlanta Area as a Tier 1 county. Through my leadership on the Development Authority Board, I have been able to provide small businesses with $1.5 million (through Clayton Cares grant initiative) and connect 130,000 Clayton County residents with job opportunities (through ClaytonWorks initiative). As your next State Representative, I plan to focus on legislation and funding streams to create opportunities that will bring economic mobility to House District 75 and our county. |
 Della Ashley | Economy improvement and human life preservation and protection. |
Eric Bell II | Public safety and education. |
When is the last time you spoke with members of the Clayton County Legislative Delegation?
Herman “Drew” Andrews | My last encounter with our elected Clayton County Legislative Delegation in a formal setting was on Thursday December 15th, 2022, at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon. However, as your informed community advocate, I am in constant contact with members of our Legislative Delegation during the legislative session, tracking bills, [and] requesting community inputs during committee hearings that impact our community and our quality of life. |
Della Ashley | Not recently. Saw one member at an African American history event in February. |
Eric Bell II | Sunday, March 4. |
What are your thoughts about Clayton County getting a share of airport revenues? How might the county do that?
Herman “Drew” Andrews | We will continue our alliance building conversation with the City of Atlanta regarding Clayton County’s ability to get a funding share of the airport revenues. However, there are taxes that are associated with the airport that we should be leveraging. As your next State Representative of HD 75, I plan to continue pushing the narrative of creating various streams of revenue that complement the airport as we create a crucial funding source, utilizing the land south of the airport to benefit our community. |
Della Ashley | We used to get fuel tax revenue and legally this was determined to be in error and ended. I am not aware of a way to legally obtain a share of the airport revenues, but we can and do benefit from the individuals traveling to and from the airport shopping in Clayton County. |
Eric Bell II | Clayton County needs to work in collaboration with the Atlanta and Fulton County elected officials to push our federal leaders to make sure that Clayton County is getting its share of airport revenues. |
How will you work with members of the other party, whether within the delegation or from other counties, to help Clayton County develop new business sectors, and what might those be?
Herman “Drew” Andrews | Through past and current experiences of driving community change, I have always been open, willing, and motivated to reach beyond party lines or affiliation to do the necessary work of building our community. I am currently working in that capacity as the vice chair of the Development Authority of Clayton County (DACC). The State of Georgia is ranked as the #1 place to do business. I am collaborating with companies such as “Construction Ready” that provide specialized skills training for at-risk youths from ages 18 – 21 in partnership with Clayton County Public Schools. I am also collaborating with “Accession,” which provides specialized skills training programs in heavy equipment, welding, and CDL certification for adults. |
Della Ashley | I intend to work respectfully and find common ground with delegation members of our Clayton County delegation and with delegation members from other counties. I would like to see more quality restaurants and stores occupy vacated shopping plazas. We could probably use more urgent care medical facilities and reliable dental offices. |
Eric Bell II | I will work with other party members to further enhance education to have a qualified workforce suitable to attract more businesses and to staff existing businesses, thus allowing our community to support higher-earning careers and economic mobility. |
Monday, March 6 was Crossover Day at the Gold Dome. What bill or bills are you watching closely this session and why?
Herman “Drew” Andrews | The bills that I am currently watching closely in this session are: HB1, HB297, HB304, HB404, HB325, HB352, SB44. These bills address several of our residents’ chief concerns and quality of life. |
Della Ashley | Glad for the bill that helped diabetics have continual blood sugar monitoring device. Watching those concerning election law. |
Eric Bell II | SB44– this bill adds mandatory minimums for gang recruitment. SB113 and SB114 are Buckhead City bills. |
What legislation would you consider to address firearm safety?
Herman “Drew” Andrews | As a military veteran, we are taught the importance of training and awareness of vigilant firearm safety. I plan to implement this same type of knowledge to reinforce personal wellbeing and safety. My consideration would be to support legislation that requires firearm safety training prior to ownership. In addition, I would attempt to partner with companies like Smith & Wesson to provide gun safety training around our county. |
Della Ashley | Legislation that would create rewards for those who take classes on safely using their firearm. Support second amendment right to protect and defend. |
Eric Bell II | Common sense gun reform: raise the age to own a gun to 21, ban assault rifles and automatic switches, require mental health screening, and require gun education before gun ownership. |
How do you think people from outside Clayton County perceive us?
Herman “Drew” Andrews | As the only candidate in this race already doing the work, I am more concerned with how the residents of Clayton County view themselves. We are a county full of talent and untapped resources. But we must do a better job of telling and sharing our stories. There are great things happening across our county. For example, the Development Authority of Clayton County (DACC) has supported the expansion of Clorox Company located in Forest Park, GA to offer starting pay for employees at $20 per hour. We are deeply invested in the development of the people in our community – we tell our story. |
Della Ashley | Some see the area as an economical place to live. Others hear of crimes reported on the news and fear the area. |
Eric Bell II | A county with a lawless sheriff who both fights and commits crime. |
What do you see as Clayton County’s most pressing education needs?
Herman “Drew” Andrews | As a father and passionate lifelong learner, I believe one of the most pressing educational needs is the investment in early learning centers/academies. I plan to effectively use my platform to legislatively advocate for policies on board-based community collaborative programs linked to improving students and schools outcome success. Including those programs which highlight how mental/emotional and physical safety in schools is related to positive academic performance. Comprehensive school safety approaches that include prevention, intervention, and responses to address causes of at-risk school challenges such as poor attendance, course failure and school dropout. The specific areas that I will focus on are: elevating the teaching profession and strengthening the teacher pipeline, expanding opportunities for students, and strengthening the partnership between schools and the community. |
Della Ashley | The basic skills of reading and mathematic skills are the most important purpose, for the schools should not be a place to indoctrinate students for political purposes. Let the teachers teach. Encourage parental involvement. |
Eric Bell II | Access to educational resources and wrap-around services. |
Are you familiar with the needs and concerns of Clayton County’s LGBTQ+ residents and their families? How will you address them?
Herman “Drew” Andrews | As an advocate, I have supported the Pride Parade, World AIDS Day, and celebrated with the community when the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same sex marriage (Love Wins!). I will continue to be a friend and advocate to the LGBTQ+ community, supporting legislation that is inclusive and promotes a comfortable live, work, play environment. In addition, I will continue to support our friends at GA Out. |
Della Ashley | Clayton County residents need to all live respectfully and be patient with one another. Treat others as you would like to be treated is a wise saying. |
Eric Bell II | I am great exposure due to my friends and family in the LGBTQ+ community. I am prepared to tackle housing insecurity, violence, and employment and education discrimination by listening to the community and working to educate the community at large and erase stigmas. I will work with my colleagues to protect and uplift all marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+. |
What are your thoughts on HB1, the Georgia Pro-Birth Accountability Act?
Herman “Drew” Andrews | This bill will allow for monetary compensation for mothers who are forced to carry to term their unplanned pregnancy. In addition, I would propose legislation that would also provide compensation for those children to attend college and technical schools. |
Della Ashley | We need to protect human life and there is help for women without using elective abortion for birth control. |
Eric Bell II | I am supportive of anything that expands Medicaid and Medicare; however, we know that this is not enough to affect maternal mortality, as black people are more likely to die giving birth, regardless of income level. |
What else do you want District 75 voters to know about what you plan to do if elected?
Herman “Drew” Andrews | First thing first, I want them to know my agenda is the ‘people’s first’ agenda. I am visible and accessible in the community. I live, work, organize, and invest in Clayton County. When elected to State Representative HD75, I will work to ensure affordable housing, livable wages, and access to medical care for all residents by reaching across the aisle to make empathy and fairness common sense. Hearing from and partnering with my constituents will be my #1 priority, with solution-based conversations (i.e. townhalls, advisory boards and community organized listening sessions). |
Della Ashley | I would like to support youth learning more about agriculture and nature in this area. This could be one tool in keeping them off the streets. |
Eric Bell II | I plan to use my experience as product of Clayton County to make Clayton County the number 1 place to live, work, and play. I plan to put the people first, as I have done before as a Navy veteran, activist, and advocate. My work with the Georgia Black Caucus, Clayton County Mental Health Board, Library Foundation Board, Schools CTAE Board, and other community activities have prepared me to take Clayton to the next level. |
Candidates’ campaign websites
- Herman “Drew” Andrews
- Della Ashley
- Eric Bell II
