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.

Economy

Energy & the Environment

Healthcare

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."

Voting & Elections

Candidate website

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.

Public Safety

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.

Education

Facebook

Paul Abbott

LinkedIn

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

- 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 Runoff, District 131, Republican Primary

Election results

Candidates (2)