Dooley represented the district, which encompasses much of Marietta and some areas north of the city, in 2004, before she was ousted by Republican Steve Tumlin, the city's current mayor. Voters then ousted Tumlin, returning Dooley to office in 2009.
Her opponent this year has the endorsement of Mike Huckabee, who urges voters to support Teasley, the conservative Republican, over "a progressive Democrat."
Teasley says there is a clear difference between what he and Dooley believe the role of government should be.
"The fundamental role of government is to secure the rights that the creator has granted the individual and not try to be all things to all people," he said.
Dooley acknowledges representing a district that's fairly balanced between Democrats and Republicans, which is why she believes it's important to serve as a moderate.
"As far as serving, you have to be answerable to your district, and that's the whole district, whoever voted for you and whoever voted for the other guy. I first and foremost represent my district, and the people of my district, then my city, my county and do no harm in the rest of the state," she said.
Dooley said a benefit she brings to the table is that she doesn't require on the job training.
"It's wizard chess down there," she said. "What you have to ask is why and who benefits? Those are the two key questions a legislator has to ask for - what's going on? Because it's not always clear. It very rarely is."
Dooley said she recognizes the high level of anxiety among voters.
"Everyday people, we're trying to do whatever we can think of to secure our lives and our future. Wall Street is up. Banks are given bonuses, the ones that drove us into the ditch, and there's no hiring. Why is there no hiring? If all of the top people are doing so well, why is there no hiring? Who benefits? It's very frustrating because it does feel as though every day people have been asked to fix it on our own, which is impossible, while the sharks are nibbling around the edges," she said.
Endorsed by the Georgia Association of Educators, she denounced the $4 billion in education that has been carved out of the budget in the last eight years.
"How can education, how can any business cope with that and succeed and even stay afloat? I hear people talking about vouchers and public schools, but a Legislature that will not fund public education is certainly not going to fund private. What kind of jobs are we going to attract with an uneducated workforce?" she asked.
Anyone driving through Marietta can't fail to notice the numerous Teasley campaign signs dotting the city. Teasley said he's knocked on thousands of doors, wearing out his shoe leather, in working to convince Mariettans to vote for him.
"I was born in Kennestone and my three kids were born in Kennestone. This is the community we've always known and loved. This is home and we want to make a difference," he said.
Neither Dooley nor Teasley support extending MARTA rail lines into Cobb, although both are open to light rail for the county.
The Journal asked if they would favor more restrictions on lobbyist gifts to legislators.
Dooley supports a ban on gifts to legislators.
"I don't need a gift to do my job," she said.
Teasley answered: "Georgia has recently gone from one of the loosest states to the 5th toughest state as it relates to ethics reform. I am pleased to see that Georgia is headed in the right direction."
Dooley said the biggest issue facing the General Assembly next year is the budget.
"How much is the revenue and what are the priorities we fund," she said.
Teasley said it's jobs.
"I have personally knocked on over 4,000 doors since April, and the voters that I have spoken to want to create private sector jobs and cut government spending," he said.
The State Ethics Commission reports that as of Sept. 30, Dooley had total contributions to date of $77,588 with a net balance on hand of $32,884. Contributors include: $2,400 from Washington, D.C.-based Emily's List, which describes itself as dedicated to building a progressive America by electing pro-choice Democratic women to office; $500 from the Marietta law firm Cauthorn, Nohr and O'Dell and in kind expenses valued at $1,747 from that firm; $500 from Marietta attorney Matt Flournoy, $1,000 from Cathy Bruning of Marietta: and $500 from McKenna Long & Aldridge attorney George "Buddy" Darden, among others.
As of Sept. 30, Teasley reported total contributions to date of $59,795 with a net balance of $49,374. Contributors include $250 from Friends of Steve Tumlin, $500 from Citizens for Ed Setzler, $500 from Gingrey for Congress, $1,000 from Friends of Earl Ehrhart, $2,000 from the Cobb Republican Party, $1,000 from David Knight for state House, $1,000 from Edward Lindsey for State House, $1,000 from Friends of Donna Sheldon, $1,000 from Ralston for Rep. Committee and $1,000 from Friends of Jan Jones, among others.
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Dooley? anyone? anyone? anyone?
Oh! I also saw Dooley signs in front of foreclosed homes or those who must not pay their bills… election promises or just coincidences?
Let’s make sure we remove Dooley from office, the majority of the poles already have a government job.
NOT.
Go Pat!
Who is Dooley by the way? She has shown ZERO concrete accomplishments, she was an accidental side effect of the 08 elections, voted in by party line, when democrats ‘suddenly’ showed up to vote for Obama (not for Dooley), it’s like saying you’re taller because you’re standing on a speed bump.
On the job training?! What a joke! Seems like all the ‘job training’ or experience Dooley implies she has resulted in NOTHING, so it’s ‘training’ with ZERO execution results or ‘training’ that will result in a good purpose, which is getting rid of left wing liberal status quo individuals (now posing as ‘center’ – another joke) who perpetuate a free ride tax system.
TEASLEY IS THE ONLY CHOICE.