Built in the 1830s, Madison’s Bonar Hall was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 but most recently served as the location for a meet-and-greet with Lexy Doherty, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives District 10 seat currently held by Republican Mike Collins.
During the Aug. 18 event, Doherty explored Bonar Hall’s historic architecture and the many artifacts collected from current owner Betsy Wagenhauser’s travels. She also spoke to local Democrats about her platform as she aims to become the first woman elected to represent District 10.
“I want us to think about being on the offense and how much different this race will look like if we’re not just defending ourselves, but if we are going out and sharing our message, making sure people hear what we are for,” Doherty said. “We can have our own message … if we get our message to people, we can win this.”
Doherty said her platform includes expanding education and supporting children and families. Other policies include giving women control over their own bodies and implementing the “most basic” gun safety reforms, like the expansion of background checks.
Doherty also said she aims to help working families by giving them a “massive” tax cut, in the form of $300 checks delivered directly to parents’ bank accounts each month for every child.
She also stressed her need and desire to meet constituents where they are and thanked Morgan County for providing the opportunity to do just that.
“It’s incredibly meaningful to me for people to welcome me into their homes and to get to experience the mystery of this community, and hear from people,” she told Lake Oconee News. “I really believe in meeting people where they are in general – but in this case, it’s literal – to be able to go to communities and hear their needs.
“Nobody can know everything, so unless we are willing to go talk to people where they are about the issues that are important to them, then we have no chance to help them or do what they need. It means a lot to me to be allowed to meet people where they are. I couldn’t be more appreciative of that.”