Lawmakers: On Day 17, Senate education champion intends to step down

Longtime Georgia education champion, State Sen. Lindsey Tippins (R-Marietta), announced today after 12 years in office, he won’t seek another term.

“I want to tell you that this has been one of the most wonderful experiences I’ve had in my life,” Tippins told his fellow senators while talking on the Senate floor. “I value the privilege of serving with each of you.”

Tippins first became well known in Georgia education circles during his 12 years on the Cobb County Board of Education. 

Since arriving in the General Assembly in 2010, Tippins, who represents parts of northwest Cobb County, has served as chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee.

He asked his fellow senators to “pay attention to education because that has more effect on our future than any other topic that we deal with in this body.”

Tippins worries that the pandemic-related learning loss is “probably a year’s worth of education.”

“We have children who have not mastered the second, third, fourth, and fifth grades that have been promoted to the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades — and on up — but that’s foundational, and that’s necessary,” Tippins told the Senate. “I leave you with this thought. Take care of these kids in education in the state of Georgia.”

Tippins thanked his colleagues for their relationships — with a caveat.

“Am I going to miss it? Absolutely," Tippins said. "Am I not going to miss parts of it? Absolutely."

Tippins also served as a member of the Senate Appropriations, Natural Resources and the Environment, and Transportation Committees and serves as ex-officio of the Senate Education and Youth and Regulated Industries and Utilities Committees.

His wife and his son were present in the Senate chamber during the announcement.