Senator Donzella James is a democratic senator representing Metropolitan Atlanta’s 35th District of Georgia, which includes portions of Fulton and Douglas Counties. She proudly served four and one half full terms, beginning in 1995, and retired to offer herself to serve in the US Congress. In 2009, Sen. James was re-elected to serve once again in the State Senate. Sen. James currently serves as the Chairwoman of the Urban Affairs committee and as Vice Chairman of the Interstate Cooperation committee. She is also a member of the Appropriations, Education and Youth, and Economic Development and Tourism committees.

She has worked to bring progressive change in the area of crime reduction, a safe and clean environment, stronger drunk driving laws and sex trafficking laws, economic development, increased access to affordable healthcare, affordable housing and quality education.

Sen. James is a distinguished and experienced law-maker, having sponsored or co-sponsored more than 400 pieces of legislation throughout her tenure in the Georgia Senate. She was proud to support Senate Bill 1 during the 2015 Legislative Session which requires insurance companies pro-vide coverage for autistic children ages 6 and under, up to $30,000 per year. Sen. James championed House Bill 89, a piece of legislation that gives local ordinance continued flexibility to incorporate drug-free commercial zones, making our communities safer places for Georgia families. Sen. James has been an ardent supporter of education, fighting to increase funding and minimize cuts to the budget during the most recent economic recession. She has also championed veterans issues, dedicating a Douglas County bridge in PFC Melvin Johnson’s honor, the first African American solider to lose his life in the Vietnam War from Douglas County.

A state senator with passion for issues effecting those in need around the world, Sen. James has lead the charge to strengthen Georgia’s relationship with the continent of Africa. With the passage of Senate Resolution 9 during the 2013 Legislative Session, she was instrumental in urging the Georgia Department of Economic Development to pro-mote and reinforce beneficial ties with African nations. She has traveled extensively to gain a better understanding of the humanitarian issues facing nations around the world, specifically those in Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana, Congo, Turkey, Costa Rica, and South Korea.

Sen. James is leading the charge to address the housing disparities in Georgia. Senate Bill 125 seeks to repeal the prohibition against cities and counties enacting any rent control laws as a way to keep housing affordable. She also was successful in passing SR 37 creating the Senate Property Owners' Associations, Homeowner's Associations, and Condominium Associations Study Committee to undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems and recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.