This podcast episode features Ariel Phillips, a candidate for Georgia House District 147. Phillips, a veteran who settled in Middle Georgia after serving at Robbins Air Force Base, shares her journey into local politics and community activism.
She discusses her passion for public transportation, veterans’ issues, and her district’s shifting demographics. Phillips emphasizes the importance of working across political divides, drawing from her own experience of having a Republican family and a diverse district.
Ariel Phillips, a candidate for Georgia House District 147, shares her journey from Mississippi to Middle Georgia, where she settled after serving in the U.S. Air Force. In the podcast, Phillips highlights her deep connection to the Warner Robins area and explains her platform, focusing on improving public transportation, advocating for veterans, and addressing local needs.
Despite her district becoming more conservative, Phillips emphasizes her ability to build relationships across political lines, drawing on her own experiences with a diverse family and community. Phillips also discusses the district’s shifting demographics and shrinking size, reflecting on the challenges this poses for effective governance. She criticizes the lack of public transportation infrastructure, stressing the need to secure funding through federal and state resources, especially given Warner Robins’ growth as one of the fastest-growing cities in Georgia. Her military background and work with Northrop Grumman underscore her commitment to serving her community beyond politics.
Phillips also speaks about the achievements in her district, including the election of its first Black woman mayor, and hopes to build on this momentum if elected. Ariel Phillips has always felt an inescapable pull to be part of something greater. They joined the Air Force as a radar technician shortly after graduating from high school, which led them to their current role as a manufacturing analyst for Northrop Grumman.
Along the path to where they are today, Ariel has strived to build community relationships and embody the idea Mr. Rogers expressed when he said to “look for the helpers.” They strongly believe that “if you want it done right, you have to do it yourself” and is very proud to be working on their second campaign for the Georgia State House.
Ariel holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy with a concentration in Morality, Politics, and Law, as they believe that having an open perspective on the world is the most effective way to identify what needs to be done to make it a better place. Fighting for people to have access to the resources