VALDOSTA – The New Year poses great opportunities for local residents, but it also marks the start of the 2024 election cycle. The Valdosta Daily Times reached out to voters across Valdosta-Lowndes County about their hopes for America. Here are two who responded.

“Everything’s expensive…”

Corey Wright, 28, is a case manager and street outreach coordinator for Lowndes Associated Ministries to People Inc. (LAMP). Although he is registered as a Democratic voter, Wright identified himself as a Democrat-Socialist.

He’s pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership at Valdosta State University. His top concerns for the 2024 election are the state of the economy, the implementation of a national abortion policy and the Israel-Hamas War.

“Everything’s expensive, and nobody is making more money. That’s a problem that should have been addressed 10 [to] 15 years ago but now it doesn’t seem like anyone cares. Yet the 1% continues to increase their wealth,” Wright said during his listing of important issues.

On the subject of a national abortion policy, Wright said it’s a definite issue because its implementation is stripping away women’s autonomy.

He raised concerns on the nation’s actions during the Israel-Hamas War.

“I’m big on the Israel-Hamas War… We’re basically supporting the genocide of a people. We have seen what happens when countries support a genocide of a people, and we’re watching it in real time. It seems like nobody except the people seem to care and the people who have the power to make a difference because it goes against their political interests don’t care. That’s not right,” he said.

Wright reflected on President Joe Biden’s current term in office following former President Donald Trump’s administration. He was proud of Biden’s work up until 2022 when Wright said his actions began to turn for his party’s agenda.

Would Biden be the safer choice?

Beverley Richardson-Blake, a Democratic-African American retired educator, works as a community advocate within Valdosta and Lowndes County. If the presidential vote resulted in Trump versus Biden, Richardson-Blake said her vote would go to Biden.

“He would be a good, vital candidate. He’s learned from his experience. He does have a critical ear and he listens. Sometimes he over-listens, but at the same time he does listen and try to address the people that he is supporting. Out of the two, he would be the best one,” she said.

When asked, “Would Biden be the safer choice?” Richardson-Blake agreed. She believes Biden has done a good job during his term so far but needs time to make more changes.

“There has to be that turnaround time. He has had opposition, so the economy has not turned like he would like to see it turned because he’s had to fight on the side while trying to push things forward,” she explained.

Richardson-Blake said some of Biden’s decisions have been questionable but after reflecting, she recognizes the balance in his choices.

The issues she’s most concerned about were the economy, crime and gun control, and health care.

She hopes if more people had jobs it would help address critical issues such as using crime as a solution to issues and homelessness.

More to come

This is the first in a series planned through at least November. If you’d like to share your views in a future article, please call The Valdosta Daily Times at (229) 244-1880 or email kevin.hall@gaflnews.com with your contact information.