Sheri Smallwood Gilligan[4][5] (née Sheri Smallwood, born March 25, 1963) is an American politician who served in the Georgia House of Representatives for the 24th district from 2015 to 2023.[6][7] Gilligan was first elected in 2015 in a special election after previous representative Mark Hamilton resigned;[3] she beat out three other opponents to complete Hamilton's remaining 18-month term.[8]
Sheri Gilligan | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 24th district | |
| In office August 5, 2015 – January 9, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Mark Hamilton |
| Succeeded by | Carter Barrett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Sheri Smallwood[1] March 25, 1963 Cumming, Georgia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Patrick Gilligan (m. 1993) |
| Children | 4[2] |
| Alma mater | University of Georgia[3] |
Gilligan was born and raised in Forsyth County. While in high school, she competed at rifle shooting and set a new state record.[2] After graduating from the University of Georgia,[2] Gilligan moved to the Washington, D.C. area, where she worked as an intelligence analyst for two decades, including at the CIA.[3][2] She also joined the Naval Reserve.[8]
She is also a substitute teacher for Forsyth County Schools; she previously taught as an adjunct instructor at Lanier Technical College.[8]
A self-described conservative,[9] Gilligan supports gun rights, wants to lower taxes, and restricting abortion.[3]
Elections
Special election, 2015
A special election was held on June 16, 2015 to fill Mark Hamilton's seat in district 24. Gilligan won the election with nearly half the vote.[10]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sheri Smallwood Gilligan | 1,785 | 49.96 | |
| Republican | Will Kremer | 171 | 4.79 | |
| Republican | Ethan Underwood | 739 | 20.68 | |
| Republican | David M. Van Sant | 878 | 24.57 | |
| Total votes | 3,573 | 100.00 | ||
General election, 2016
Gilligan ran unopposed during the 2016 primaries, going on to earn 25,996 votes in the general election.[11][12]
Primary and general elections, 2018
In 2018, Gilligan was challenged during the May 22 primary elections by Joanna Cloud, but defeated Cloud with 60% of the vote.[13][3]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sheri Smallwood Gilligan | 4,045 | 60.69 | |
| Republican | Joanna Cloud | 2,620 | 39.31 | |
| Total votes | 6,665 | 100.00 | ||
In the general election, Gillian ran unopposed once again, garnering 23,646 votes.[14]
Primary and general elections, 2022
Gilligan was defeated by Carter Barrett in a runoff in 2022.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Carter Barrett | 3,418 | 42.02 | |
| Republican | Sheri Gilligan | 4,042 | 49.69 | |
| Republican | Ed Solly | 675 | 8.30 | |
| Total votes | 8,135 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Carter Barrett | 2,317 | 58.79 | |
| Republican | Sheri Gilligan | 1,624 | 41.21 | |
| Total votes | 3,941 | 100.00 | ||
References
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