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Miles Joins Growing Field of Dems in 2014 Senate Race

August 29th, 2013

Georgia’s Democratic field for next year’s U.S. Senate race became a little more crowded Wednesday. Former State Senator Steen Miles, an African-American, announced her candidacy on the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington.

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Miles’ announcement came at the end of a commemoration of the March. The event took place at a Stone Mountain Village gazebo in front of a small crowd. Miles detailed her “to do” list should she win.

“We will fight to make certain that women receive equal pay for equal work,” Miles said. “We will fight to make certain that a woman’s reproductive rights remain the sacred domain of women, their doctors, and their God.”

Miles also promised to address gun control, voting rights, immigration reform, LGBT rights, and climate change. On those issues, she took a more progressive position than Democratic opponent Michelle Nunn, daughter of former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn. Miles will face Nunn and three others in the Democratic primary. Nunn is expected to attract national attention and funding. But Miles said she’s not worried.

“We may not have the money, and we may not have the father’s name,” she said. “But what we do have is the experience, the time, the focus, and the heart to make a difference for all Georgians. And that’s what we’re going to Washington to do.”

The eclectic mix of speakers included former DeKalb County school board chair Eugene Walker, who has been suspended from his post, and Debbie Dooley of the Tea Party Patriots, who paid homage to the Civil Rights Movement.

“We are all here today celebrating Dr. King’s legacy,” Dooley said. “[We’re not here] as Democrat or Republicans, not as conservative or progressives, but we’re here as Americans to celebrate this.”

Dooley said as the head of the Green Tea Coalition she’s worked with Miles on other causes. However, she said she won’t support her Senate campaign.