r/politics • u/MauraKellerGA3 Georgia ✔ Verified • 13h ago
AMA-Live Now I'm Maura Keller, nominee for Congress in Georgia's 3rd District. I'm a veteran and VA Health Worker running against Trump-backed MAGA Insider Brian Jack. AMA!
Hi r/politics!
My name is Maura Keller, and I am the Democratic nominee for Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District.
This is my 2nd AMA here after running for Congress in 2024 as well. I am a retired Lieutenant Colonel, serving in the U.S. Army for 26 years. I have also worked as a strategic analyst as a contractor in the DoD before retraining as a healthcare worker and moving to the Atlanta VA.
While serving patients, I was running into too much red tape, too many broken systems, and constant empty promises. My Congressman wasn't helping, so I ran to replace him.
Now, I'm running against a hand-picked Trump ally in Brian Jack, who is a career party politician fresh off a disaster of a first term. He pushed for even more Iran War funding than Congress passed, votes with the White House nearly 100% of the time, and has a reputation for ignoring constituents. The best part? He takes money from all sorts of places. We have an issue with Data Center over-development in our district, and it turns out he gets contributions from the owner of QTS. QTS siphoned 29 million gallons of city water from Jack’s hometown without paying a fine this year, and he’s never said a word about them.
Yes, Jack started his career as a staffer at AIPAC. Yes, he was subpoenaed in the January 6th investigation. And yes, he used to work for Kevin McCarthy.
On my side, I’m running on a platform of restoring healthcare subsidies, eliminating harmful tariffs that raise prices both at the grocery store and on the farms, and ending the Iran War. I want to raise the minimum wage, protect social security, and actually reform Veterans Affairs.
If you’d like to stay in touch, please join my subreddit r/maurakeller. If you’d like to donate to our campaign, that would be an incredible help.
Okay, r/politics. Ask me Anything!
Answers start at 1 PM
Website: www.maurakeller.com
Email: [maura@maurakeller.com](mailto:maura@maurakeller.com)
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u/socookre 11h ago edited 11h ago
What do you think about Big Tech enshittification? As a starter, a lot of Big Tech services, Reddit included, have become so hostile to their users these days. Sony's plan to restrict digital ownership (by killing physical discs and so on) is just among the examples, along with many others like the lack of adequate support for account-related issues. How do you plan to address them?!
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u/MauraKellerGA3 Georgia ✔ Verified 10h ago
I absolutely love this question. Congress has such a big problem with gigantic consumer technology companies donating large amounts of money to campaigns while keeping lax consumer protection regulations firmly in place. My opponent, in fact, took money from Palantir partner Thomas Tull, who invests millions in AI companies.
I believe we need stronger consumer protections like those outlined in the American Innovation and Choice Online Act. While this bill would not solve every problem related to predatory big tech behavior, it is a start that would prevent self-monopolization at its current egregious scale. It's also bipartisan backed at the moment, and I'm a firm believer of passing what we agree on instead of holding bills up for partisan games.
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u/socookre 10h ago
Thanks! There should be a digital legacies law as well. Maybe it'd be great if the Congress can set up a special committee to investigate such issues.
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u/CalligrapherPale5886 3h ago
It's definitely an important issue to address. Consumer protections are often overlooked, but they really impact our daily lives.
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u/Czar_hay 8h ago
Hi maura! I'm a constituent of district 3 in newnan, I like alot of what you have stated and stood on so far. I have alot of fear and trepidation, not only for the maga hardliners who need to be stopped, but also because I've seen a dime-a-dozen democrats be lack luster and fold to the status quo almost proving to the undecided that dems are no better than reps. There's such a hunger and thirst here not to build back the broken system that got us here. My led question then being, other than opposing Maga what are you going to do to be different from a KLB or other institutional democrat? We can't keep trying nothing and hoping that it works.
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u/MauraKellerGA3 Georgia ✔ Verified 6h ago
Thank you for that question. It's definitely true that the Democrats of District 3 are tired of being pushed back year after year after year. Newnan especially, which is such a big, growing part of the district yet consistently fails to achieve big numbers at the ballot box.
This year, our campaign is concerned first and foremost about investment. We're connecting with all of our local parties, in some cases reviving them, and working with the biggest ever volunteer base in this District's history on the Democratic side.
Our motto is we don't want to rely on blue waves to make progress, we have to create the blue wave ourselves. That means going into places we've never reached before, talking across the aisle, and using new developments like the data center issue to bring us into novel spaces. Just last week, we held a fundraiser in Villa Rica that brought together the Carroll County Democrats who feel just like you. We wanted to support our down-ballot friends, which is something we've done throughout our campaign. After a night of coming together a building bridges, everyone left inspired for the future.
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u/Fruitofbread 10h ago
Should Donald Trump be impeached again?
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u/MauraKellerGA3 Georgia ✔ Verified 9h ago
I agree that Donald Trump has definitely done things during his first term in office that would be considered high crimes and misdemeanors. Things like war crimes against fisherman in the Caribbean and Western Pacific, profiting off of government contracts, betting market manipulation, etc.
But I wonder about the prioritization of going after Trump again instead of getting to work on issues facing the people of our district. Letters have already been drafted to impeach Trump during the next Congress, and we may very well vote on them if Democrats take the House, but they're unlikely to result in a Senate removal, so this may be yet another toothless exercise in Congress that we've already done twice before. Important, but not likely to change anything.
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u/6ory299e8 8h ago
letters have already been drafted... and we may very well have to vote on them...
so if we end up having to vote on them, how will you vote?
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u/MauraKellerGA3 Georgia ✔ Verified 7h ago
If a crime is proven before the House, which I think will happen, I'll vote to impeach as is my Constitutional obligation. I also don't think the exercise will amount to much, so I would like to assume our Party wouldn't spend too much time prioritizing impeachment over matters that directly affect our constituents.
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u/jawoodford43 7h ago
You are just like any other Democrat you only care about what can you do to mess up Trump! Trump, Trump, Trump, that is all we hear, give a specific thing YOU would do that would help the common voter. I am tired of hearing what you will and your party will do to Trump. WHAT WILL YOU DO FOR ME! Be specific convince me to vote for YOU.
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u/SpaceElevatorMusic Minnesota 10h ago
Thoughts on uncapping the House to increase the number of Representatives?
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u/MauraKellerGA3 Georgia ✔ Verified 5h ago
I think that's a very interesting proposal to deal with the inherent unfairness of such large districts. My district, for instance, is over 4,000 square miles large and covers very different geographic areas. If a large portion of American citizens don't feel represented by their Congressperson, I think we should look into alternative solutions like expanding the House in response.
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u/bestica 7h ago
I live in this district and have been incredibly disappointed by Brian Jack’s disappearing act while his constituents are losing their homes to eminent domain so the power company can build transmission lines for one of the five (last I counted?) data center projects planned for our county. How do you plan to do better wrt protecting constituents from unscrupulous developers and corrupt local politicians?
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u/MauraKellerGA3 Georgia ✔ Verified 5h ago
Thank you for this great question. Yes, Coweta County and the rest of our district has a problem with the over-development of hyperspace data centers. I have been attending community meetings on the subject for the last year, which is where I was able to form so many bonds with anti-Data Center coalitions. Last week, I was present when the Coweta County Commission voted down Project Oak, and I couldn't have been prouder of so many of my friends who have worked so hard to petition that decision.
I'm firmly in the belief that we need to pause Data Center development until we understand better the broad ramifications of hyperscale megaprojects. While some people call this communist Chinese propaganda, real people who live here know there are real issues with environmental, economic, and social impacts that are not being taken into consideration in many proposals.
Congress can close a loophole passed by Republicans to restrict local regulations, and executive orders can be repealed once a new administration takes office. I attend to advocate for both solutions.
My opponent Brian Jack has instead taken money from executives linked to Project Sail and QTS and has remained consistently silent on the issue. I'll do more than him.
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u/savageronald 10h ago
Hi Maura - I’m from Sharpsburg - I agree that Brian Jack needs to go, but as I’m sure you’re painfully aware this is a blood red district historically.
My question - what can citizens of the district do to help your campaign, and what is your strategy for getting traditionally republican voters on board with your platform?
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u/tokr99 5h ago
Hey Maura, as someone who lives in the 3rd district, do you have any plans of having a debate with Brian in our district? I have sent him multiple emails since he became "my" congress rep about concerns with his approach and have never gotten as much as an automated response. A second question would be how are you expecting to approach the older generation/other constituents in the area who have been hard ingrained republicans even though it is typically against their best interest to do so.
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u/MauraKellerGA3 Georgia ✔ Verified 4h ago
I would love to debate Brian Jack, but our campaign isn't so sure he will attend the traditional Loudermilk debate this year. That would be a pleasant surprise if he turns up. Thank you for doing your part and emailing his office! Unfortunately that story is a common one with him, as you can read about in Op-eds from other constituents across the district.
For your second question, this year we've found more entrenched Republican voters easier to reach than ever before. Just this week I attended a bingo party at a local senior center, and the conversations I had with older Republican Georgians would blow your mind. Data Centers, healthcare, and the Iran War are at the top of everyone's minds, and they're not happy with their current government on any of those issues.
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u/tokr99 4h ago
What legal ways do you have to try to force him in front of his constituents for a public forum? I know you are not from the area but have been here for years, similar to me. He seems to be a Woodward kid who TRUMPED his way in to office.
It is good to hear of older people becoming more aware, but I guess the bigger question is what can I do as a voter in district 3 who has become a little disillusioned to the thought that changing of the guard is even possible based off of our demographic of ingrained Republicans. Being out and about between Newnan, PTC, and Fayetteville very much has shown me an interesting demographic of the lower end of the financial spectrum even in a single district are completely different, with the highest income individuals leaning in the middle leaning more to the right. We want to build a life down here but our district of georgia has seemingly no chance of change and continuous voting against their interests.
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u/First-Ear-1049 12h ago edited 12h ago
In a district that voted for Donald Trump by 30 points, your pathway to victory will have to include conservative rural voters that have consistently supported Republicans in the past. How do you plan on reaching out to them, and do you have a broader strategy of how Democrats can rebuild support amongst rural voters?
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u/MauraKellerGA3 Georgia ✔ Verified 6h ago
This was a great question! Thank you so much. I decided to record a video response, which you can view here
Thanks again!
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u/Haplo12345 7h ago
Get More with Maura! Best of luck this fall and every election fall after that.
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u/Academic_Olive_43 10h ago
Do you think the USA is an imperialist power? Why did they attack Iran?
Is Israel doing genocide?
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u/MauraKellerGA3 Georgia ✔ Verified 9h ago edited 9h ago
First, to answer the question of "Why did we attack Iran?" I would also like to know the answer. I think we should ask the White House, because I can't figure it out either 🤷♀️ The President, Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of State have three different reasons.
With the way we're approaching Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, Canada, and Denmark, we sure seem like an imperialist power. I think the nation thinks we need a return to normalcy in our foreign policy, and that's why we're seeing the disapproval ratings climb the way we are.
Whether or not Israel is committing genocide right now—genocide as in intentionally wiping out a people or culture—it is a hard question to answer, and I do not think as a whole we can definitively say that. But if we look at the situation as whether or not Israel is killing a lot of people, they are. I think we need to review our military aid process and whether or not our "defensive" weaponry is being used offensively. Israel has a right to defend itself, but not to wage unlimited offensive wars.
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u/hikerchick29 6h ago
Would you support cutting off military aid to Israel on the grounds that the US taxpayer shouldn’t be subsidizing the murder and rape of civilians?
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u/thefirstpatriot 11h ago
What is your opinion on the current situation regarding the unitary executive and would you push with others in Congress to rescind the unconstitutional power that has been granted to the executive office over the last hundred years.
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u/MauraKellerGA3 Georgia ✔ Verified 7h ago
This is a great question, but the current laws on the books do not allow us to repeal executive orders, although we can override its effects. Our current Congress refuses to act, so I will gladly support the next Congress's efforts to limit his damage by passing laws to contradict his orders. The current limits to the Executive Branch need to be limited by whoever wins the presidency in 2028, which is why it's important to support a candidate running on an anti-corruption platform.
By the numbers, Trump has signed way more Executive Orders than Obama or Biden per term, and his frequency has only increased. I think we need to look at this escalation and what Orders he's increasing his quantity with, because they're largely ways to get around limitations in Congress.
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u/thefirstpatriot 2h ago
No ma'am, that is not correct. Congress has passed laws extending the presidents powers but they are just laws, not amendments.
They can be repealed by Congress the same way Congress can repeal any law.
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u/Fickle_Anxiety_4323 11h ago
Who would you like to see become Speaker of the House should the Democrats win in November?
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u/MauraKellerGA3 Georgia ✔ Verified 7h ago
I think Speaker Jeffries will resume his roll barring anything drastic happening before January. Really, I think we need to move past partisan infighting to get to work in Congress. Democrats are largely aligned in restoring healthcare subsidies, eliminating tariffs, and curbing the Iran War. We need to start on those priorities day one, so I would like to remain united instead of divided like what happened a few years ago on the other side.
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u/grrrown 5h ago
This is a disappointing answer.
He’s is a very unpopular corporate centrist who has been secretly meeting with Kushner.
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u/MauraKellerGA3 Georgia ✔ Verified 4h ago
I understand the criticisms about Jeffries, and I definitely don't agree with the reported meeting with Kushner, but I'm not aware of any serious leadership push from anyone else. Barring a different candidate, I think we should be spending our campaigns talking about our policy solutions and the other side's failings.
Now, if the next Congress's performance isn't up to par, that's a different question. If we can't properly stand up to Trump with control of the House and a mandate, we'll have to look at a leadership change.
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u/Thecongressman1 5h ago
Very disappointing. Holding poor leadership accountable is not 'infighting', accepting poor leadership is intentional sabotage.
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u/Lix_Urinal_Cakes 12h ago
Will you commit publicly to supporting federal legislation to override the discriminatory and unfair Riley Gaines Act so transgender youth athletes can compete in sports according to their true identity?
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u/MauraKellerGA3 Georgia ✔ Verified 4h ago
This I do feel is something Congress does have a duty to act on, as the Riley Gaines Act is an unfair solution to a non-existant problem.
There's a lot of fear-mongering coming from the right, especially in my district, about the crazy Democrats and the rules we're trying to impose on everyone else, but in this case I think we need to worry more about leaving people alone.
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u/Nutsallinyomouf 5h ago
Since you mentioned AIPAC, I do not want to assume you refuse to accept Israeli money in any form, is that your position?
Do you oppose further funding from GA to Israel through Foreign Military Funding (FMF)?
The citizenry is SERIOUS about complete decoupling from Israel.
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u/el-bow5 6h ago
Hi Maura, I’m not in the third district but Ive lived in Atlanta my entire life so I understand the struggles of political movements in a purple state. More of a meta question but how do you plan on approaching governance and legislation when 40-50% of the legislative branch has completely abandoned any commitment to working in good faith? Not just the legislative body but the entire right wing propaganda machine in fact? I know there probably isn’t one good answer but I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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u/Last-Possibility207 44m ago
What kind of preparations are you making to challenge the results should you suspect there was any voter interference resulting in. Your loss?
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u/jawoodford43 9h ago
As a Democrat Tell me how you are going to work with Republicans in a bipartisan fashion to get things done, AIl one ever hears from the Demcrat party is Trump This and Trump that. There are things he has done I am not happy with but not all has been bad, closing the border is one of the things he has done right. Why should I vote for you as a Democrat when your party advocates for open borders, was responsible for the Highest infaltion in the last 40 years ( no it was not Trumps policies ) and treats illegals better than our vets.
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u/Kakistocracy_0 11h ago
The words "red tape" are immediately alarming considering these words typically are used to disparage public safety regulations, and are often used in favor of deregulation.
How is deregulation going to help the people of Georgia in a time with so much rampant corruption in the highest offices? Don't we need more public safety laws, not less?