Senator Tonya P. Anderson is a Democratic member of the Georgia State Senate representing District 43, which includes parts of DeKalb, Rockdale, and Newton counties. She has served in the Senate since 2016, following prior roles in the Georgia House and local government in Lithonia.

Born on July 16, 1969, and residing in Lithonia, Georgia, Senator Anderson is a minister and retired United States Air Force Reserve member with over two decades of service, including time as an Air Force chaplain. She began her elected career as a Lithonia City Councilmember from 2006 to 2008 and served as Mayor from 2008 to 2011, where she secured funding for an amphitheater renovation, oversaw a $1.2 million federally funded streetscape improvement plan, completed "The Terraces at Parkview" housing complex for 94 low- and moderate-income families, ensured EPA/EPD compliance for stormwater improvements, and achieved "no findings" ratings on city financial audits. In 2012, she became the first State Representative for newly formed House District 92 , chairing the bipartisan Women’s Legislative Caucus, serving on the Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee, and participating in the Working Families Caucus. Elected to the Senate in 2016, she focuses on criminal justice reform, military support, family issues, and education improvements. Notable positions include Vice Chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus , Secretary of the Retirement Committee, and membership on Public Safety, Special Judiciary, Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security Committees . She was honored by the Georgia Municipal Association in 2018 for local government support, named president-elect for NOBEL Women, and remains active in organizations like Women in Government, NBCSL, Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute, and Leadership DeKalb, while volunteering with the DeKalb County Board of Health.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Holds a doctorate from The Global International Alliance.
• Political Experience:
  • Lithonia City Councilmember
  • Mayor of Lithonia
  • Georgia House Representative, District 92
  • Georgia State Senator, District 43