Attorney and Cobb County resident Maria Sheffield has become the newest candidate to enter the Insurance Commissioner’s race in the Republican Primary.
Sheffield currently an attorney with Burr, Forman, LLP, focusing on regulatory and corporate insurance law, public policy, government relations and coverage matters. Her practice encompasses all facets of insurance regulation.
Sheffield spent six years with the Georgia Department of Insurance working in several different departments including the Regulatory Services Division, the Division Responsible for compliance and general licensure issues.
Sheffield’s work in the Republican Party stretches back more than a decade. Sheffield worked for the Georgia State Republican Party in the 1990s, as well as serving on the campaign staff of numerous Republican candidates. She also served as the 11th District Chairman for Phil Gramm for President in 1996 and Wilkinson County Vice-Chairman for George Bush for President in 2000.
She served as the Public Relations Manager for the College Republicans at Georgia College and State University, and was President of the Society of Politics & Law at Georgia College and State University.
Sheffield was born and raised in a small town northeast of Macon. Her mother was a nurse and her father spent his career in the air force, retiring from the Air National Guard.
Her mother was killed when she was 15 by a hit-and-run driver and her father died 10 years later from brain cancer. She cared for her maternal grandmother for 9 years, who suffered from dementia, until the time of her death.
Maria worked and put herself through school obtaining a BA, MPA, MBA and JD, all by the age of 25.
T/P to the Political Vine
{ 23 comments }
You’ve got a down ballot race with about a 35 dudes on the ballot (who haven’t raised enough combined money for one statewide media buy) with one female; I like her chances of being in the runoff.
If she ends up being the only woman in the primary, amongst a sea of men, I’d hold back my entire campaign budget until the runoff.
Maria has a great story to tell and she knows the office.
Are you saying Ox was a bad Insurance Commissioner, because he had no experience at the department?
Let me translate that last question for you: Spin, spin, spin, bash the OX….. possibly in jest.
Perhaps Jason is saying that maybe it’s time to start electing people to office like you would hire employees to help your company prosper: That is, based on QUALIFICATIONS, rather than high school popularity measurements.
If you really mean that then we wouldn’t have been blessed with “The Great One”, aka “The Ox”, as Insurance Commissioner.
I’m beginnng to have some new faith in Ga Politics and a few people running for office.
No worries Technocrat, just lie down until that feeling passes.
i know of at least one awesome city council candidate worth having faith in…
Definitely city council. Maybe a couple of state house candidates as well?
Maybe…but only ones who have not run 2 or more times before and lost, thus wasting plenty of dollars that could be used elsewhere.
Bill, if Newt had quit after two times, he would never have been a Congressman. However, with each election, Newt got closer and closer to winning before he finally did.
So, if you don’t win this time, you’ll just chalk it up to being like Newt?
No, because Newt ran for Congress at my age. I’m only going for State House.
hey, i only lost by one vote last time, i certainly don’t feel like i’m wasting anyone’s time or money to try again…
Starting to sound like the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings around here. Alas, at least the Braves won one championship.
She is a remarkable woman. Very intelligent with a long history with old guard grassroots like myself who were active in the early 90’s. I do not know is she will have the resources to win, but she has my vote at this time.
I agree with your comments about Maria’s intelligence and experience. I have worked with Maria on several occasions over the years and she has demonstrated the tools needed to be a great Insurance Commissioner. My only questions is what can I do to help?
Man could we get a few more to join the race on the GOP side?
I do not know Ms. Sheffield she might be a nice person with a nice resume but the last thing we need is another lawyer who is tied to the insurance industry. Got enough of those.
I would agree it is nice to see fresh faces in the race but we need someone who will be an advocate for the people of this state not linked to insurance companies. Many of you know I support Gerry Purcell he is the only one in the race with a proven and successful track record, savings tax payers millions of dollars in health and insurance cost while working with State, Country and City governments across America. He is a fresh face with the background needed that has real answers to the tuff challenges that the office of State Insurance Commissioner has before it.
Many of you know I support Gerry Purcell
Who are you?
I am highly confident of Ms. Sheffield’s qualifications and am eager to participate in the upcoming campaign.
As someone who’s known Maria most of my life, I am truly excited for her candidacy. Her experience, knowledge, abilities, and work ethic make her a sound candidate and will make her an excellent insurance commissioner. I look forward to the coming campaign.
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