Erica-Denise Solomon announces candidacy for November Special Election for Georgia State Senate District 35
Erica-Denise Solomon formally announced her candidacy to run for office to represent Georgia State Senate District 35. Solomon filed paperwork at the Office of the Georgia Secretary of State’s Elections Division on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.
The longtime Democratic seat covers a wide section of west Atlanta, including the Collier Heights and Bolton communities; far east Cobb County, including parts of Smyrna, Vinings and the Battery; and parts of south Fulton County, including Fulton Industrial Boulevard, the Fulton County Airport and historic Cascade Road. It has carried great importance for working families in metro Atlanta, but with challenges like affordable housing, education, and infrastructure affecting thousands of lives, the outcome of this election will shape the future direction of the community.
“I am ready to work for District 35,” Solomon said, “Not just to pass laws, but to make sure every child has a chance to succeed in school, every family can find an affordable place to call home, and every small business has the opportunity to grow.”
For Solomon, who also resides in the district, this candidacy is deeply personal. For seven years, she dedicated her career to telling the real stories of her neighbors and fighting for opportunities that uplift families. As a journalist at a local Atlanta television news station, she worked to shine a light on resilience and progress rather than reducing communities to headlines of violence. She has also served in leadership roles in the corporate sector and nonprofit advocacy, experiences that have prepared her to bring people together and create solutions.
“Throughout my career, I have told the stories of communities that are too often overlooked or misrepresented,” Solomon said. “This campaign is about honoring our story, protecting our history, and building the future our families deserve.”
Solomon’s slogan for her campaign is “Our Story. Our History. Our Future,” echoing a platform meant to uplift the district she seeks to represent, which she also calls home. Her focuses include:
Supporting small businesses by expanding access to resources and opportunities for local entrepreneurs;
A focus on workforce training, education, and literacy by creating pathways for economic mobility through better job training, educational programs, and initiatives to increase literacy across all ages;
Improving community infrastructure, including transportation, broadband access, and public resources that families rely on; and
Improving affordable housing access by ensuring homes remain within reach for working families while protecting neighborhoods from private equity firms that seek to buy up land and displace local residents.
After filing for candidacy, Solomon will host a series of listening sessions and neighborhood gatherings across District 35 during the campaign to hear directly from residents about their priorities.