In Athens, concerned constituents hold a town hall without their congressman

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On Tuesday night, more than 300 constituents represented by U.S. Rep. Mike Collins met at the Athens Clarke County Library for a town hall — without the lawmaker in attendance.

The event was hosted by local Democrats and moderated by state Rep. Spencer Frye of Athens. It featured panelists who spoke about the ways their lives have been impacted by the recent actions of federal officials.

Abby Horvath, a veteran and former med-evac pilot who advocates for women in the armed forces, criticized comments made by administration officials who questioned the practice of allowing women to serve in combat roles.

"I do not think every woman should be in combat, just like I don't think every man be in combat," Horvath said. "But put me to the test, hold me to the same standards, like I was, to fly. Hold me to the same standards and I will pass and I will exceed them. But give me the test to take."

Others shared their concerns over avian influenza and its possible impact on the 10th Congressional District’s poultry industry. Both of Georgia's commercial flock infections took place in Elbert County situated in the northeast corner of the district, along the state's border with South Carolina.

In February, Claire Teitelbaum lost her job with the U.S. Geological Survey. She had studied how wildlife spread avian influenza as they migrate.

"This was more or less my dream job," she said. "I wanted to be able to use my skills to help other people do their work, and to continue solving conservation problems, and to really understand how research can be useful."

State Sen. Josh McLaurin of Atlanta and state Rep. Ruwa Romman of west Gwinnett County also made guest appearances, taking questions from the crowd which organizers said would also be submitted to Collins’ office in Monroe, Ga.

After the event, a spokesperson with Collins' office issued the following statement to Georgia Public Broadcasting:

“Since joining Congress in January of 2023, Rep. Collins and his staff have hosted a town hall nearly every quarter, including our most recent on February 20th, 2025; brought in over $24M into the district; held over 800 meetings and publicly available events in Georgia’s 10th Congressional District; and have answered 102,895 emails and letters from constituents," the staffer said. "Representative Collins, in two years, has passed two bills into law under two U.S. Presidents, under two different parties — getting dangerous fentanyl off our streets and passing the Laken Riley Act, respectively. His commitment to Georgia’s 10th Congressional District and his constituents is unquestionable, regardless of if he unable to attend a rally hosted by Democrat organizations.”

The town hall was one of several events organized by different activist groups around the state, including a protest at U.S. Rep. Austin Scott's Warner Robins office on March 17, 2025.