Democratic secretary of state nominee Penny Brown Reynolds called for unity during a Savannah campaign stop, but her federal record and election platform reflect several progressive priorities.
Reynolds told WJCL Sunday that Georgians are “tired of the division more than anything.” The appearance followed the Democratic Party of Georgia’s state convention, where she urged activists to choose hope over fear.
During a July 28 Atlanta News First interview, the former Fulton County judge challenged election-fraud allegations by demanding “some credible evidence.” Reynolds has said audits and recounts confirmed Georgia’s 2020 presidential result.
Her campaign calls for expanded early-voting locations and accessible voting centers, along with “convenient” absentee-ballot drop boxes. In a televised primary debate, Reynolds said the election “well has been poisoned with wrong information” and blamed a movement seeking to create voting barriers.
Reynolds’ progressive record extends to the Biden administration. As acting assistant secretary for civil rights at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), she presented a strategic plan centered on “racial justice, equity, and equal opportunity.” The plan expressly covered gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.
USDA said Reynolds committed to championing its 66-recommendation Equity Commission agenda. The department said it sought institutional change involving department-wide equity, farmworkers, nutrition assistance and “recognizing immigrants and their families.”
Reynolds is endorsed by EMILY’s List, which says it recruits and supports Democratic pro-choice women. The organization said her election would help “take back power” and stop what it called Republican voter suppression.
She faces Republican state Rep. Tim Fleming in November. Fleming, a former deputy secretary of state and chief of staff to Gov. Brian Kemp, has emphasized election safeguards and administrative experience. The contest offers voters a choice between Reynolds’ Biden-era equity and expanded-access agenda and Fleming’s election-security platform.
