Benjamin Shawn Cairns resides in the Evans, GA area. He graduated high school in Colorado. He earned a bachelor's degree in business management and a master's degree in political science. 

Benjamin Shawn Cairns is a college professor at Georgia Military College, where he has been teaching political science, history, and economics courses for ten years. He is a former business owner. He served in the United States Marine. 

As of April 8, 2024, Benjamin Shawn Cairns’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Candidate website

Supports abolishing state income and property taxes in Georgia, advocating for a consumption tax to broaden the tax base, ensuring statewide participation in funding, and increasing school funding independent of property values.

- Supports abolishing state income and property taxes in Georgia, advocating for a consumption tax to broaden the tax base, ensuring statewide participation in funding, and increasing school funding independent of property values.

Economy

As of June 8, 2025, Benjamin Shawn Cairns’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Healthcare

Believes engaging young conservatives in voting and candidacy is crucial for the Republican Party's future, emphasizing the need for fresh ideas and increased youth voter turnout to maintain Republican majorities at all government levels.

Believes engaging young conservatives as voters and candidates is crucial for the Republican Party's future, emphasizing the need for fresh ideas and increased youth voter turnout to maintain Republican majorities at all government levels.

Supports paper ballots, voter ID, election day holiday, and bipartisan ballot oversight; opposes mail-in and early voting, and electronic systems; advocates for simplicity in elections, citing Argentina's reforms and historical same-day results.

Believes election campaigns should question candidates' motives, noting the high costs versus the modest salary of a state house position, and emphasizes leadership should prioritize public service over personal gain.

Said, "In every election that I have known in my adult life candidates talk about what they want to do for the constituents without the electorate asking what the candidate gets from being elected... If the position is part-time and pays roughly enough for travel and lodging expenses to serve the district at the state level, one must ask why it is worth such a large investment by any candidate to secure the votes necessary to win?... Is the desire of my competitors to serve the public, or is it to financially gain? Only you can decide. Leadership should be about sacrifice for others, not self-enrichment in any way."

- Supports paper ballots, voter ID, election day holiday, and bipartisan ballot oversight; opposes mail-in and early voting, and electronic systems; advocates for simplicity in elections, citing Argentina's reforms and historical same-day results.
- Believes election campaigns should question candidates' motives, noting the high costs versus the modest salary of a state house position, and emphasizes leadership should prioritize public service over personal gain.
- Said, "In every election that I have known in my adult life candidates talk about what they want to do for the constituents without the electorate asking what the candidate gets from being elected... If the position is part-time and pays roughly enough for travel and lodging expenses to serve the district at the state level, one must ask why it is worth such a large investment by any candidate to secure the votes necessary to win?... Is the desire of my competitors to serve the public, or is it to financially gain? Only you can decide. Leadership should be about sacrifice for others, not self-enrichment in any way."

Voting & Elections

Supports granting the Georgia Attorney General authority to oversee District Attorneys for fair application of state law and to request removal of those who violate their oath, aiming to reduce legal system politicization.

Believes gun laws infringe on Second Amendment rights, ineffective against crime, and penalize law-abiding citizens; advocates focusing on mental health and punishing individuals, not guns, for crimes.

Believes gun laws infringe on Second Amendment rights, ineffective against crime, and penalize law-abiding citizens.

Advocates focusing on mental health and punishing individuals, not guns, for crimes.

- Supports granting the Georgia Attorney General authority to oversee District Attorneys for fair application of state law and to request removal of those who violate their oath, aiming to reduce legal system politicization.
- Believes gun laws infringe on Second Amendment rights, ineffective against crime, and penalize law-abiding citizens.
- Advocates focusing on mental health and punishing individuals, not guns, for crimes.

Public Safety

Believes Georgia should prioritize education, emphasizing STEM, social sciences, and languages as key to student success and national progress, while considering arts and sports secondary.

- Believes Georgia should prioritize education, emphasizing STEM, social sciences, and languages as key to student success and national progress, while considering arts and sports secondary.

Education

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Benjamin Shawn Cairns

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David has a master's degree in applied systems engineering from Georgia Tech and a bachelor's degree in nanoengineering from UC San Diego. He was a member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). David grew up in rural Northern California.

David previously worked as the Cyber Threat Hunt Lead for the US Army European Command. Previously, he was a defense contractor working on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. David also served in the US Army National Guard as a Cyber Operations Officer.

David Christian Byrne's campaign for state representative in state house district 131 is his first entry into politics. 

Proposes a maximum federal interest rate of 5%.

Believes minimum wage should be decided so that rent does not exceed 30% of income.

- Proposes a maximum federal interest rate of 5%.
- Believes minimum wage should be decided so that rent does not exceed 30% of income.

The Augusta Press: District 131 candidate sets to create a brighter future with real solutions

Supports increased use of clean energy sources, including nuclear, geothermal, solar, and wind.

- Supports increased use of clean energy sources, including nuclear, geothermal, solar, and wind.

Proposes capping annual drug price increases at 7% for companies that use federal grants.

- Proposes capping annual drug price increases at 7% for companies that use federal grants.

As of June 8, 2025, David Christian Byrne’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports a prison pre-release program to reduce the likelihood of convicted criminals reoffending.

Proposes state dormitories and assisted release programs to reduce the homeless population.

Opposes open carry laws that allow for public display of firearms.

According to his website, he believes full incarceration should be "reserved for violent criminals and habitual offenders"

Supports expansion of volunteer work as punishment instead of prison sentences.

- Supports a prison pre-release program to reduce the likelihood of convicted criminals reoffending.
- Proposes state dormitories and assisted release programs to reduce the homeless population.
- Opposes open carry laws that allow for public display of firearms.
- Supports concealed carry permits.
- According to his website, he believes full incarceration should be "reserved for violent criminals and habitual offenders"
- Supports expansion of volunteer work as punishment instead of prison sentences.

Supports "competitive" compensation for teachers.

Wants to create education tracks for high school students.

Wants to replace multiple-choice testing in schools with in-person essay writing.

Supports expanding the HOPE scholarship to all Georgians in exchange for 20 hours of community service.

Supports expanding Georgia Virtual Schools (GAVS) to pre-record all courses and reserve teachers for question & answer sessions.

Supports equal school funding per students with additional funding for schools facing challenges.

- Supports "competitive" compensation for teachers.
- Wants to create education tracks for high school students.
- Wants to replace multiple-choice testing in schools with in-person essay writing.
- Supports expanding the HOPE scholarship to all Georgians in exchange for 20 hours of community service.
- Supports expanding Georgia Virtual Schools (GAVS) to pre-record all courses and reserve teachers for question & answer sessions.
- Supports equal school funding per students with additional funding for schools facing challenges.

David Christian Byrne

Paul Abbott is from Martinez, GA, and attended Georgia Southern University where he received his bachelor's and master's degree in education, as well as the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned an education specialist degree in school administration. He is married to his wife, Megan, and together they have five children and two grandchildren. In 2009, he was recognized as Teacher of the Year for Lowndes County Schools.

Paul is a life-long educator with over 32 years of experience, including a role as an administrator and a background in teaching students with disabilities. He served in the US Army and Georgia Army National Guard for 22 years, retiring in 2009.

Paul Abbott's campaign for state representative is his first entry into politics.

The candidate's website says, "Contributions are not deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes."

As of June 8, 2025, Paul Abbott’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Wants Republicans in District 131 and Georgia to engage politically, invoking Dr. King's view on the tragedy of silence by good people, emphasizing the need for active participation in challenging times through voice and vote.

The candidate's website says, "Georgia law requires political committees to report the name, mailing address, occupation and employer for each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $100 in a calendar year... The maximum an individual, corporation or PAC may contribute is $3,300 per election for the Primary and General elections, and $1,800 per election for the Runoff."

Said, "As your state rep, I have a vision to keep Columbia County and Georgia a safe place to raise a family... and continue to fight to keep taxes low."

Said, "As your representative, I will work to ensure that every school in Georgia has a school resource officer. The safety of your children, administrators, and teachers is of the upmost importance."

Supports strong law enforcement, credits Sheriff Whittle for low crime in Evans and Columbia County, Georgia; committed to maintaining safety and quality of life; endorses police statewide for secure communities.

Supports strong law enforcement, and credits Sheriff Whittle for low crime in Evans and Columbia County, Georgia.

Endorses police statewide for secure communities.

- Said, "As your representative, I will work to ensure that every school in Georgia has a school resource officer. The safety of your children, administrators, and teachers is of the upmost importance."
- Supports strong law enforcement, and credits Sheriff Whittle for low crime in Evans and Columbia County, Georgia.
- Endorses police statewide for secure communities.

Said, "I need your support to get my message to the voters of District 131. If you want a representative who will empower parents, fight for teachers, and protect children please show your support here."

Said, "I am running to make sure that parents choices and voices are heard in the education of their children without being targets of government. ..."

Said, "I feel that parents should have that same option in education. School choice is a critical component of that. I will support school choice, especially initiatives as it relates to poorly performing schools."

Supports educational choice, opposes transgender girls in female sports, concerned about teacher shortages, advocates for legislative support to reduce teacher regulations, critical of common core, plans to empower teachers and attract new educators in Georgia.

Supports giving parents greater choice in the education of their children.

Said, "I will support school choice for parents. Parents need options to get away from underperforming schools. In everyday life, we have the ability to seek services that better meet our needs."

Said, "My top priority as your state representative will be to support teachers in the classroom... Georgia's teachers are met with ever-increasing duties and responsibilities while receiving less support in the classroom... I understand the challenges teachers face and will work to make teachers' voices heard."

Concerned about teacher shortages, saying, "My top priority as your state representative will be to support teachers in the classroom... Georgia's teachers are met with ever-increasing duties and responsibilities while receiving less support in the classroom... I understand the challenges teachers face and will work to make teachers' voices heard."

Advocates for legislative support to reduce teacher regulations, and plans to empower teachers and attract new educators in Georgia.

- Supports giving parents greater choice in the education of their children.
- Said, "I will support school choice for parents. Parents need options to get away from underperforming schools. In everyday life, we have the ability to seek services that better meet our needs."
- Concerned about teacher shortages, saying, "My top priority as your state representative will be to support teachers in the classroom... Georgia's teachers are met with ever-increasing duties and responsibilities while receiving less support in the classroom... I understand the challenges teachers face and will work to make teachers' voices heard."
- Advocates for legislative support to reduce teacher regulations, and plans to empower teachers and attract new educators in Georgia.

Paul Abbott

Rob is a long-time resident of Columbia County, where he was raised and is now raising his own family. He lives with his wife, Lauren, and their two children. Rob graduated from Auburn University with a degree in building construction. He attends Journey Community Church. He is also a member of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee.

Rob's campaign for state representative is his first entry into politics.

Said, "The Biden Administration has ... destroyed our economy, ... and pushed a victimhood mentality on our citizens. Georgians suffer the consequences of President Biden’s inadequate leadership every day ... through record-breaking inflation."

The candidate's website says, "Rob firmly believes we need to get the government out of the way of our businesses so that they can thrive... Clifton is committed to promoting policies that enforce low taxes and empower business owners to invest in their employees."

Believes that businesses would benefit from lesser government involvement. 

Said, "Georgia is only as strong as our families, businesses, and local communities. ... While our state has been named the number one place to do business ten years in a row, we are growing rapidly and must ensure we remain diligent in promoting sound policy ... I will look at every piece of legislation through the lens of ... a local entrepreneur.”"

The candidate's website says, "continue to invest in infrastructure to maintain a standard of excellence in"

Believes that Georgia must "continue to invest in infrastructure to maintain a standard of excellence."

The candidate's website says, "The Biden Administration has ... destroyed our economy, ... and pushed a victimhood mentality on our citizens. ... Georgians suffer the consequences of President Biden’s inadequate leadership every day whether through ... record-breaking inflation. ..."

Believes "The Biden Administration has ... destroyed our economy, ... and pushed a victimhood mentality on our citizens. ... Georgians suffer the consequences of President Biden’s inadequate leadership every day whether through ... record-breaking inflation. ..."

Committed to promoting policies that enforce low taxes and empower business owners to invest in their employees.

- Believes that businesses would benefit from lesser government involvement. 
- Said, "Georgia is only as strong as our families, businesses, and local communities. ... While our state has been named the number one place to do business ten years in a row, we are growing rapidly and must ensure we remain diligent in promoting sound policy ... I will look at every piece of legislation through the lens of ... a local entrepreneur.”"
- Believes that Georgia must "continue to invest in infrastructure to maintain a standard of excellence."
- Believes "The Biden Administration has ... destroyed our economy, ... and pushed a victimhood mentality on our citizens. ... Georgians suffer the consequences of President Biden’s inadequate leadership every day whether through ... record-breaking inflation. ..."
- Committed to promoting policies that enforce low taxes and empower business owners to invest in their employees.

As of June 8, 2025, Rob Clifton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

The candidate's website says, "- STAUNCH DEFENDER OF THE 2ND AMENDMENT"

The candidate's website says, "A safe community is a strong community. Rob believes we must ensure our law enforcement has the support and resources they need to protect our communities. We must elect candidates who believe in upholding the rule of law."

Believes in supporting law enforcement through providing "the resources they need to protect our communities."

- Supports the Second Amendment.
- Believes in supporting law enforcement through providing "the resources they need to protect our communities."

The candidate's website says, "A strong state starts at home with strong families. Through initiatives supporting childcare improvement and parents’ rights to protect their children, Clifton is devoted to strengthening Columbia County"

Plans to encourage "initiatives that support childcare improvement" and "parents' rights to protect their children."

- The candidate's website says, "A strong state starts at home with strong families. Through initiatives supporting childcare improvement and parents’ rights to protect their children, Clifton is devoted to strengthening Columbia County"
- Plans to encourage "initiatives that support childcare improvement" and "parents' rights to protect their children."

Rob Clifton

Russell was born in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania but grew up in Augusta, Georgia. He attended Aiken Technical College and completed their Nuclear Engineering Technology Program. He is married and has one daughter. Russell attends St. Mark Methodist Church.

Russell is the owner of Top Shelf Cigar and Tobacco Shoppe.

As of April 8, 2024, Russell A. Wilder’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Wants to remove "unnecessary and outdated regulations that hurt small businesses"

Supports funding the Louisville Road I-20 interchange.

- Wants to eliminate the state income tax.
- Wants to remove "unnecessary and outdated regulations that hurt small businesses"
- Supports funding the Louisville Road I-20 interchange.

As of June 8, 2025, Russell A. Wilder’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Wants to limit absentee ballot voting to those with disabilities, the military, college students, and out of town workers.

- Wants to limit absentee ballot voting to those with disabilities, the military, college students, and out of town workers.

Supports fully funding law enforcement "at every level in Georgia."

- Opposes gun control.
- Supports fully funding law enforcement "at every level in Georgia."

Supports school choice legislation and said, "parental rights have been under assault in recent years."

- Supports school choice legislation and said, "parental rights have been under assault in recent years."

Russell A. Wilder

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Georgia State House of Representatives.
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws. All bills dealing with the state budget originate in the Georgia House of Representatives.
- The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up our state lawmaking body: the Georgia General Assembly.
- There are 180 members of the Georgia House of Representatives, each representing a single district.
- State Representatives are elected to two-year terms. They are paid a yearly salary of $17,342. They only serve in the role part-time.

Georgia State Representative, District 131, Republican Primary

Election results

Runoff election

Candidates (5)