It has been a week. There is obviously a lot going on around our country, and now Trump's attacks are hitting close to home and could create long-term electoral consequences as we head into the 2026 elections.

And to top off an already tough week, we got news Friday that a journalist (Don Lemon) was arrested while covering the events in Minneapolis. Mr. Lemon was released on his own recognizance (despite the prosecutor’s unexplainable request for a large bond). The First Amendment is first for a reason and I look forward to Mr. Lemon emerging victorious as he defends the freedom of the press. But it shouldn’t be necessary.

In more immediate legislative news, several committees started meeting this week, so we can expect many more votes on the House Floor this coming week.

Trump’s Raid of Fulton County Elections Board

On the Scene of the Raid

You have undoubtedly heard about the FBI raid on Fulton County's main election site on Wednesday, where they hauled off roughly 700 boxes of 2020 election ballots and other sensitive data.

When I heard about what was going on, I hit the road with fellow Representatives Tanya Miller and Saira Draper. We stood witness to the raid and shared what we saw. I must be clear: this is NOT normal; the 2020 election is long behind us; Biden won; Fulton County election results were audited multiple times; it is time to move on. This latest move is not about the 2020 elections; it is about the 2026 elections. This is an effort to have the State Elections Board take over the Fulton County Elections Board just in time to suppress the vote to hurt our statewide Democratic candidates in 2026.

We will not be Deterred

Fulton County Voters are strong and resilient and your legislators are here to fight with you. Democrats in Georgia are making real progress. We have flipped "safe" Red House seats Blue, won two seats on the Public Service Commission, and we are coming for more in these 2026 Midterms. Because Georgia deserves better.

History of the 2020 Election Saga

If you need a refresher on the events that led to this week’s raid, check out the great summary put together by the AJC.

August 2023: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis charges Trump and 18 others with racketeering and other crimes stemming from their roles in trying to overturn the 2020 election.
November 2024: Trump is reelected president. He continues to claim the 2020 election was stolen, though no evidence supports his claim.
December 2024: The Georgia Court of Appeals disqualifies Willis from prosecuting Trump and the other defendants in the election interference case, citing her romantic relationship with a special prosecutor in the case. The Georgia Supreme Court later upholds the decision, and the charges in the election interference case are later dismissed.
July 2025: The State Election Board renews its investigation of Fulton County’s 2020 election and requests the Justice Department’s help.
October 2025: In a letter, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon seeks a slew of records previously requested by the State Election Board.
October 2025: The State Election Board subpoenas Fulton County 2020 election ballots.
November 2025: In a second letter, Dhillon asks Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney and Fulton County Superior Court Clerk Ché Alexander for county election records.
December 2025: The Justice Department files a federal lawsuit against Alexander, seeking copies of the ballots. The county argues the request is improper and that it cannot release the ballots. The case is still pending.
Wednesday: Armed with a search warrant, FBI agents arrive at the Fulton County elections operation center in south Fulton County. The warrant says they are seeking 2020 ballots and other election records.

Legislative Town Hall Recap

Thank you to everyone who attended our first Legislative Town Hall earlier this week. As always, I was glad to partner with Senator Sonya Halpern. We gave an overview of what we anticipated for the 2026 Legislative Session.

We covered the budget, taxes, housing, healthcare, education, immigration, public safety, MARTA, voting, and more! Please mark your calendars for our post-Crossover Day and post-Sine Die townhalls. These will be in person at Morningside Presbyterian Church in the sanctuary from 7-8:30pm on March 11 and April 14, respectively.

Standing Up Against ICE’s Unlawful Actions

I stood with my Democratic colleagues Tuesday to condemn the ICE killing of Alex Pretti. Our position was clear. We stand with the people of Minnesota who are rightfully outraged that ICE seems incapable of doing its job without violating basic civil rights. Immigration laws can be enforced without protestors being gunned down on the street or children being ripped from their parents’ arms.

While the fight against ICE’s unlawful actions will play out largely at the federal legislative level (I support decreased funding for ICE given recent events) and in courts (I was glad to hear that the officers involved in Alex Pretti’s killing are now on leave and under investigation), we are doing what we can here at the state level. Several bills aimed to keep Georgians safe from ICE overreach were introduced this week.

I support these measures. I'm proud to have signed House Bill 1050. This bill restricts ICE from enforcing immigration law in our public schools without a warrant.

Cold Case Unit Case heading to Trial

In 2023 Georgia passed the Coleman-Baker Act, which created a cold case unit at the GBI. After a case is unresolved for 3 years, family members can request this unit re-open an investigation using updated investigative tools.

In 2001, my classmate Tara Baker was brutally murdered during our first year of law school at UGA. Thanks to the cold case unit’s creation, her case was reopened and a suspect arrested and indicted. The trial started this week in Athens.

I took to the well to update my colleagues on the progress that’s been possible in this case thanks to our bipartisan efforts. When we focus on people and work together, we can accomplish a lot.

Come See Me at the Capitol

Throughout the week I had the privilege of speaking with constituents visiting the Gold Dome. I heard about licensure needs for midwives, loan forgiveness for rural optometrists, restrictions needed on data centers, and efforts for fair electoral maps. You are telling me what is important to you, and I am listening!

I encourage you to come down to the People's House. Tell me what matters to you and how I can help!

What’s next?

Next week is Legislative Week 3. I anticipate that business will begin to move much faster. We’ll start voting on more bills on the House Floor and there will be more debates in and an increased frequency of committee meetings. Make sure you stay up to date using the links below!

📸 Watch the House Floor Chamber at 10am - Monday

👩‍⚖️ Tune into the Rules Committee Meeting at 9am - Monday

📜 A link to the Georgia General Assembly Website

In service,

Stacey Evans

Evans Examiner: Week 2