Over the last few days, a couple of Republicans have thrown their hat into the ring as a candidate for Congress. Nicole Kaltsas Rodden has entered the GA-6 race, while Dr. Rich McCormick has entered the GA-7 race.
Some background about Rodden, as per her campaign website:
- Born in Manhattan, New York to an Ecuadorian mother and a Greek father, who are both first-generation Americans.
- She moved to Georgia in her late teens.
- She graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 2002 as a United States Coast Guard Third Mate, through which she has numerous certificates.
- She served ten years in the United States Navy Reserves, leaving with a rank of Lieutenant.
- She worked for Transocean after leaving the service, where she “facilitated the collaboration of international teams, implemented safety operations and procedures on large shipping vessels, and oversaw navigation, operational safety, drilling, and well control in the Black Sea.”
- She worked in over 25 countries during her military service and private employment.
- She currently volunteers “in support of various anti-human trafficking efforts, including Princess Night with the Atlanta Dream Center, The Passport events, and Drop Dead Gorgeous.” “She is also a volunteer of Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine, participating annually since it was first launched in the 6th district. Lastly, Nicole teaches English as a second language to individuals studying to become United States Citizens.”
- “Nicole is married to Robert Rodden. The two are members at First Baptist Church in Atlanta. They both are huge dog lovers and enjoy spending time with extended family.”
Some background about McCormick, as per his campaign website:
“Dr. Richard “Rich” McCormick, MD, MBA, is an Emergency Medicine Physician at Gwinnett Medical Center, where dealing with life-threatening trauma and illness is a daily occurrence.
With over 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy, Rich served in combat zones in Africa, the Persian Gulf, and Afghanistan. As a Marine, he flew helicopters, served in Special Forces, and taught at Georgia Tech and Morehouse College as the Marine Officer Instructor. In the Navy, Rich earned the rank of Commander and served as the Department Head for the Emergency Medicine Department in Afghanistan.
Rich is a graduate of Morehouse School of Medicine where he was also student body president, and completed residency in Emergency Medicine through Emory while training at Grady Hospital in Atlanta. He also received his MBA from National University in California.
Rich and his wife, Debra, an oncologist, have seven children and live in Suwanee. The McCormicks are members of Gwinnett Church where Rich is a small group leader for high school students.”