Jewish Lawyer in Closely Watched State House Race

Democrat Adam Cleveland, a member of The Temple, concedes that challenging Republican incumbent Scott Hilton in House District 48 might be considered an uphill climb, but he believes the race is a toss-up.

“Maybe I’m a ridiculous optimist but I believe our district is independent rather than married to a party,” Cleveland told the AJT. “It’s one that’s been identified nationally and locally as a target race and a very close call. In the current climate, it’s turning in our favor.»

Neither Cleveland or Hilton faced a primary challenge.

House District 48 takes in portions of northern Fulton and western Gwinnett counties, including parts of Johns Creek, Roswell, and Peachtree Corners.

Republicans hold a 99 to 81 advantage in the Georgia House. Democrats believe that District 48 is among several House seats that can be flipped.

State House members represent an average of about 59,585 residents, based on 2020 Census data. Georgia legislators receive a base salary of $25,312 and a $247 per day per diem during the 40-day legislative session.

Hilton, 46, who holds degrees from Georgetown University and Emory University, was first elected in 2022 and then re-elected in 2024. He previously served a single term representing District 95.

Hilton was the author and chief sponsor of legislation that imposed a “bell to bell” ban on cellphone use in grades K-8 this year and next year will expand to include high schools.

Cleveland, a 48-year-old lawyer, with undergraduate and law school degrees from the University of Georgia, chairs the creditor’s rights section of the State Bar of Georgia. He lists his legislative priorities as instituting ranked choice voting, term limits, and redistricting done by an independent commission. He told the AJT that, ideally, he would like to “have the job but not make it a career.”

Cleveland and Hilton participated in a Sept. 16 debate for candidates in three legislature races, moderated by members of Student Leadership North, comprised of high school students from Johns Creek, Roswell, and Alpharetta.

In his opening statement, Cleveland said: “My vision for the state’s future is simple, because I just want all of our kids to have the same opportunities and the same rights that we have. So, healthcare shouldn’t mean financial ruin. And the shared taxes that we pay should go to our shared resources of public schools. And our kids should go to school every day knowing they’re going to come home alive because we regulated parents’ responsibility with firearms. And our government should stay the hell out of our doctor’s offices. And our friends and neighbors shouldn’t be carrying their passports in Georgia. And our leaders shouldn’t deny our votes for Congress or campaign with those who did.”

Hilton said in his opening: “Here in Georgia, we have the No. 1 state to do business. We just broke yet another economic development record this year. We have one of the lowest tax rates nationwide. And we are at the very top of net migration, people moving with their wallets, families moving here, fleeing blue states, to live here in Georgia because we are the best place, to live, work, and raise a family. My vision for the state is that we keep it that way. We are on the right direction. We should not go to an untested, unproven, unknown candidate.”

A series of yes-and-no questions yielded areas of agreement and disagreement.

Cleveland and Hilton both opposed a temporary pause on artificial intelligence (AI) data center development in Georgia, phased cuts to eliminate the state’s individual income tax, and legalizing casino gambling.

They agreed that public safety in Georgia is being adequately addressed, that restrictions are needed on police use of Flock license plate identification cameras and access to that data; that Georgia should require background checks on all gun sales, including private sales, and that the state should increase funding for need-based financial aid in higher education.

They disagreed on whether local governments should be penalized for not cooperating with ICE, the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, as per Georgia law; Hilton said yes and Cleveland no.

Hilton opposed and Cleveland supported raising the state minimum wage above the federally-mandated $7.25 per hour.

Hilton supported Georgia’s six-week abortion law, Cleveland did not.

Hilton supported and Cleveland opposed banning Diversity, Equality, Inclusion (DEI) programs from public schools and universities.

Hilton supported and Cleveland opposed potential congressional redistricting [prior to the decennial Census].

Hilton opposed and Cleveland supported legalizing recreational use of marijuana.

They disagreed on the issue of school vouchers and funding public education.

Hilton said: “I am a firm believer that, you the parent, not bureaucrats, know what’s best for your child and your child’s education. I also firmly believe that your tax dollars should follow your child.”

Cleveland said: “It is unequivocal to me that the taxes we pay are meant to educate all of our children. I don’t deny anyone the choice to go and pay for private schools they want, but that is not a resource that is shared or available to all the people in the state . . . It must go to fund public schools.”

In his closing, Hilton tied Cleveland to the Democratic Socialists of America in the Democrat party. “We are at an inflection point right now. Do we want Georgia moving forward or do we want to go backwards? I want to grow our economy, keep our schools safe, and strong,” he said.

In his closing, Cleveland targeted the Republican Party, saying: “I prioritize our state and our rights, and someone who has sat there in the same body with the people who have denied our elections, and tried to overthrow our votes, and said nothing, done nothing, to stop it or against it, has no use.”

The Socialist issue returned on Sept. 22, when Cleveland appeared at an event hosted by the Young Democratic Socialists of America, at Georgia Gwinnett College.

Hilton assailed Cleveland on X: “His presence at this event and tacit approval of socialism is shocking to see as he runs to represent an independent thinking, suburban District.”

Cleveland told the AJT: “I just recently went on a conservative podcast where we found ourselves in agreement and I’ve talked every day with at least some folks who are MAGA, too . . . my willingness to talk to even those I disagree with is how constituents know I’ll care for them in office even if they didn’t vote for me.”