Debbie G. Buckner is a Democratic member of the Georgia House of Representatives, representing District 137 since 2003. A native of Columbus, Georgia, she moved to Talbot County in 1976 after marriage. District 137 includes Talbot County and portions of Meriwether, Muscogee, and Troup counties. Notable achievements include advocating for mandated mammogram coverage, expanded postpartum Medicaid from 6 weeks to 1 year, prescriptive authority for advanced practice nurses, increased medical education slots for mental health providers, and placing medical providers in rural areas. She has received awards such as Legislator of the Year from the Georgia Rural Health Association , American Heart Association’s Outstanding Advocate Award , and American Cancer Society’s Outstanding Legislative Leadership Awards .

Education and Political Experience

Education: Earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Columbus State University; attended Georgia Southwestern College for postgraduate work and a teaching certificate.

Political Experience: Elected in 2002. Serves on Appropriations Subcommittee on Health, Natural Resources & Environment, Retirement, State Properties, Ways & Means, and Technology and Infrastructure Innovation committees. Current roles: Secretary of the Rural Development Committee, Vice Chair of the Rural Caucus, and Tri-Chair of the Working Families Caucus. Previously: House Democratic Caucus Secretary, assistant to Majority and Minority Whips, and the only freshman on the Natural Resources & Environment Water Subcommittee.

Professional Background: Former Director of Community Benefit at Columbus Regional Healthcare System; previously Director of Community Relations at Doctors Hospital and Senior Public Health Educator at Columbus Health Department. Current board roles: Chair of Three Rivers AHEC, board member of West Central Georgia Cancer Coalition.