Candidate Profile: Chris Lanning Cobb County Solicitor General

COBB COUNTY, GA — Three candidates are running for Cobb County Solicitor General in the May 24 General Primary Election.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as the primary draws near.

Chris Lanning is running for Cobb County Solicitor General.

<b>Name</b>

Chris Lanning

<b>Campaign website</b>

https://www.chrisforcobb.com

<b>City or town of residence</b>

Powder Springs

<b>Office sought</b>

Cobb County Solicitor General

<b>Party affiliation</b>

Democrat

<b>Education</b>

Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from UGA; Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law

<b>Occupation</b>

Attorney, 14 years

<b>Family</b>

Wife, Erin and 2 children (ages 6 and 3).

<b>Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?</b>

No

<b>Age</b>

41

<b>Previous public office, appointive or elective</b>

No

<b>Why are you seeking this office?</b>

I am a father, husband and currently the Chief Assistant Solicitor General for Cobb County. Cobb is my home. I was born here and attended public school here. It is where I work, and where my wife and I are raising our family.

I’m running for Solicitor General to put my almost 15 years experience as a prosecutor in Cobb to make our community safer and more just for everyone. I embrace:

Increased funding for mental health services

Meaningful criminal justice reforms
Second chances for non-violent offenders
Protecting victims of domestic violence with support for the victims and their families
Creating innovative solutions to keep our community safe

It is my firm belief that creating a safer community for everyone hinges on implementing meaningful criminal justice reform. Effective, innovative approaches to prosecution, like diversion programs and accountability courts, make our community safer and stronger by protecting victims and offering second chances to those who complete the program.

That’s why, as Chief Assistant Solicitor, I’ve led the way to expand opportunities for nonviolent offenders to participate in these programs. Last year I worked with the Georgia Justice Project to help create the Cobb County 2nd Chance Desk along with other partners (Cobb District Attorney’s Office and the Cobb County Circuit Defender’s Office). It has been a year since we announced the creation of the desk, which has already helped hundreds of citizens get some kind of record relief. I personally handle every application for restriction and sealing that comes to our office. My commitment here isn’t about politics, or running a campaign and it isn’t some election year empty promise. I’ve been passionate about this issue for years and will continue to fight for it.

That work has allowed me to help reduce barriers to employment, education and housing for thousands of people. I intend to continue working with partners like the GJP to ensure that people that have paid their debt are not needlessly prevented from bettering themselves.
These partnerships are so important to me. I believe we can hold people accountable, while also supporting initiatives like the 2nd Chance Desk. Our community is so much better as a result of partnerships like these.

I am on the executive committee for Cobb County's new Cobb County Family Advocacy Center. This family justice facility will provide all manner of resources for domestic violence survivors, domestic violence victims and their families. The Center will focus on reducing the number of times a victim has to tell their story (reducing trauma), simplifying/streamlining the number of places a victim has to go to get help/services while continually working to provide more services and easier access to support for victims and their families. At this facility victims will have domestic violence/sexual assault program staff, law enforcement investigators/detectives, a specialized prosecutor(s)/prosecution unit and civil legal services. The Cobb County Family Advocacy Center is slated to be operational in December 2022. It has been an honor and a great opportunity to work with other criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders to help provide the resources that victims need.

Further, under my supervision the Solicitor's office created a Domestic Violence Unit over a year ago. This unit will work directly with the Family Advocacy Center. This unit handles the most serious domestic violence cases that the office receives. Continuing the fight against domestic violence will be a top priority when I am elected Solicitor General. I'll work to increase the protection of, and support for, victims while focusing on putting domestic violence abusers behind bars.

Finally, prosecution doesn't have to be an either or situation-we can protect victims and support public safety while also offering first time non-violent offenders second chances where appropriate

My track record of embracing proven criminal justice reform measures while protecting victims of crime is one of the reasons I was named Georgia Assistant Solicitor of the Year for 2019. As Solicitor General, I look forward to continuing and expanding these programs, because a Just Cobb is a Safe Cobb.

<b>Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.</b>

Lack of faith in the court system (from the perspective of the Solicitor General's Office).

It is my firm belief that creating a safer community for everyone hinges on implementing meaningful criminal justice reform. Effective, innovative approaches to prosecution, like diversion programs and accountability courts, make our community safer and stronger by protecting victims and offering second chances to those who complete the program.

As Chief Assistant Solicitor, I’ve led the way to expand opportunities for nonviolent offenders to participate in diversion programs and accountability courts. Last year I worked with the Georgia Justice Project to help create the Cobb County 2nd Chance Desk along with other partners (Cobb District Attorney’s Office and the Cobb County Circuit Defender’s Office). It has been a year since we announced the creation of the desk, which has already helped hundreds of citizens get some kind of record relief. I personally handle every application for restriction and sealing that comes to our office. My commitment here isn’t about politics, or running a campaign and it isn’t some election year empty promise. I’ve been passionate about this issue for years and will continue to fight for it.

That work has allowed me to help reduce barriers to employment, education and housing for thousands of people. I intend to continue working with partners like the GJP to ensure that people that have paid their debt are not needlessly prevented from bettering themselves.

These partnerships are so important to me. I believe we can hold people accountable, while also supporting initiatives like the 2nd Chance Desk. Our community is so much better as a result of partnerships like these.

I am on the executive committee for Cobb County's new Cobb County Family Advocacy Center. This family justice facility will provide all manner of resources for domestic violence survivors, domestic violence victims and their families. The Center will focus on reducing the number of times a victim has to tell their story (reducing trauma), simplifying/streamlining the number of places a victim has to go to get help/services while continually working to provide more services and easier access to support for victims and their families. At this facility victims will have domestic violence/sexual assault program staff, law enforcement investigators/detectives, a specialized prosecutor(s)/prosecution unit and civil legal services. The Cobb County Family Advocacy Center is slated to be operational in December 2022. It has been an honor and a great opportunity to work with other criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders to help provide the resources that victims need.

Finally, prosecution doesn't have to be an either or situation-we can protect victims and support public safety while also offering first time non-violent offenders second chances where appropriate. By doing these things simultaneously, I believe we can restore faith in the criminal justice system.

<b>What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?</b>

I have served as the Chief Assistant Solicitor General in Cobb County since January 1st, 2018. Prior to that, I served as the Deputy Chief Assistant in the Solicitor’s Office beginning in 2015.

During that time, I have managed a staff of 75 people at any given time. The Solicitor’s Office has an annual budget of over eight million dollars. I have been involved in the budgetary process for the last four years in my position as Chief Assistant Solicitor. This year I handled the entire budget process on my own and I am now better aware of what a massive undertaking that is and all of the preparation and work that it entails. I truly understand that this process is not something that can be handled once every 12 months and forgotten again until the next year. Instead, it is an ongoing/evolving process that requires all the stakeholders and leadership in Cobb County to understand what our office does and why it is important. This means that the office needs to share our successes but also lay out the areas that need improvement and be prepared to show what our needs are and why. Not just once at a yearly budget retreat but continually throughout the year. The budget process demands trust and constant communication between the Solicitor’s Office and those who oversee/manage the budget for the county.

Similarly my work in the community with local leaders proves that I am the most qualified.

I believe in working with/training the lawyers in the Solicitor’s Office to make my vision a reality. It is possible, and necessary, to protect the public safety, while making sure that every person that we come in contact with is treated with dignity and respect. In my current role, I have already begun taking steps to make sure attorneys in the office are buying into that vision. It is important to keep in mind that these are not just defendants-these are our family, friends, church members, neighbors etc. and we will treat them as such. I hope to instill that while a day in court can often feel like just another day at work for the lawyers and staff in the office, that this day is one of the most important and terrifying days for most of the people in the courtroom. I will work hard to ensure that everyone in the office understands that what happens in that courtroom can and will have a lasting impact on that person’s life, job, housing, schooling, family, driver’s license and future. I want all of my office to understand that the people we see are more than a bad decision or mistake they made. They are three dimensional human beings-not just defendants. That people are more than their GCIC sheet.

I am endorsed currently by the Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens, Cobb County District Attorney Flynn Broady, Cobb County Chairwoman Lisa Cupid, Cobb County Commissioner Monique Sheffield, Cobb County Commissioner Jerica Richardson, Cobb County Clerk of Superior Court Connie Taylor, Douglas County District Attorney Dalia Racine, and former Governor Roy Barnes. I have also earned the endorsement of the Working Families Party and the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys. Cobb leaders and groups have coalesced to support me as the next Solicitor General.

<b>If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?</b>

This is an open seat.

<b>What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?</b>

As Chief Assistant Solicitor, I’ve led the way to expand opportunities for nonviolent offenders to participate in diversion programs and accountability courts. Last year I worked with the Georgia Justice Project to help create the Cobb County 2nd Chance Desk along with other partners (Cobb District Attorney’s Office and the Cobb County Circuit Defender’s Office). It has been a year since we announced the creation of the desk, which has already helped hundreds of citizens get some kind of record relief. I personally handle every application for restriction and sealing that comes to our office. My commitment here isn’t about politics, or running a campaign and it isn’t some election year empty promise. I’ve been passionate about this issue for years and will continue to fight for it.

That work has allowed me to help reduce barriers to employment, education and housing for thousands of people. I intend to continue working with partners like the GJP to ensure that people that have paid their debt are not needlessly prevented from bettering themselves. These partnerships are so important to me. I believe we can hold people accountable, while also supporting initiatives like the 2nd Chance Desk. Our community is so much better as a result of partnerships like these.

I am on the executive committee for Cobb County's new Cobb County Family Advocacy Center. This family justice facility will provide all manner of resources for domestic violence survivors, domestic violence victims and their families. The Center will focus on reducing the number of times a victim has to tell their story (reducing trauma), simplifying/streamlining the number of places a victim has to go to get help/services while continually working to provide more services and easier access to support for victims and their families. At this facility victims will have domestic violence/sexual assault program staff, law enforcement investigators/detectives, a specialized prosecutor(s)/prosecution unit and civil legal services. The Cobb County Family Advocacy Center is slated to be operational in December 2022. It has been an honor and a great opportunity to work with other criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders to help provide the resources that victims need.

Further, under my supervision the Solicitor's office created a Domestic Violence Unit over a year ago. This unit will work directly with the Family Advocacy Center. This unit handles the most serious domestic violence cases that the office receives. Continuing the fight against domestic violence will be a top priority when I am elected Solicitor General. I'll work to increase the protection of, and support for, victims while focusing on putting domestic violence abusers behind bars.

<b>What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?</b>

I have served as the Chief Assistant Solicitor General in Cobb County since January 1st, 2018. Prior to that, I served as the Deputy Chief Assistant in the Solicitor’s Office beginning in 2015.

During that time, I have managed a staff of 75 people at any given time. The Solicitor’s Office has an annual budget of over eight million dollars. I have been involved in the budgetary process for the last four years in my position as Chief Assistant Solicitor. This year I handled the entire budget process on my own and I am now better aware of what a massive undertaking that is and all of the preparation and work that it entails. I truly understand that this process is not something that can be handled once every 12 months and forgotten again until the next year. Instead, it is an ongoing/evolving process that requires all the stakeholders and leadership in Cobb County to understand what our office does and why it is important. This means that the office needs to share our successes but also lay out the areas that need improvement and be prepared to show what our needs are and why. Not just once at a yearly budget retreat but continually throughout the year. The budget process demands trust and constant communication between the Solicitor’s Office and those who oversee/manage the budget for the county.

I was recognized by the Georgia Solicitor's Association as the Assistant Solicitor General of the Year for the entire state of Georgia in 2019.

<b>What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?</b>

When you see people in court, it may be their absolute worst day. Try not to lose sight of that when dealing with them. Remember to always treat everyone you meet with courtesy, dignity and respect.

<b>Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?</b>

Prosecution doesn't have to be an either or situation-we can protect victims and support public safety while also offering first time non-violent offenders second chances where appropriate.

My track record of embracing proven criminal justice reform measures while protecting victims of crime is one of the reasons I was named Georgia Assistant Solicitor of the Year for 2019. As Solicitor General, I look forward to continuing and expanding these programs, because a Just Cobb is a Safe Cobb.