I BELIEVE - I believe that the United States of America is the greatest nation in the history of the world. This belief is rooted in an understanding that the founding fathers were right: that we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, that it is the responsibility of government to protect those rights and that liberty is best served when government is limited. I support a future in keeping with our founding principles - a future built upon limited government, individual freedom, fiscal responsibility, traditional American values and a strong national defense. I believe America must be vigilant and proactive in the war on terror and do all that we can in defense of freedom. I believe in cutting government spending, balancing the federal budget and reducing the national debt. I believe in growing the economy and creating jobs by cutting taxes, living within our means and getting the government out of the way of job creators. I believe that economic activity should be organized through private enterprise operating in a free market. I believe that the primary function of government should be the preservation of liberty. I stand as a true Reagan Conservative and will go to Congress as a Conservative leader.

 About Maria Sheffield…

Maria Sheffield is a Georgia Conservative running for Congress. 

Maria, a main-street, middle-class, working Georgian, believes the taxpayers of Georgia 12 deserve a Member of Congress who is for them and not for President Obama. Congressman Barrow has proudly proclaimed he is working “hand-in-hand” with President Obama. The taxpayers of Georgia’s 12th Congressional District need a Member of Congress who will work “hand-in-hand” with them and against President Obama’s efforts to destroy our free market economy and undermine individual liberty. 

Maria Sheffield is a Middle Georgia girl. The values she holds, the principles she supports, and the Faith she believes in have been instilled in her in the heart of Georgia. Maria grew up worshiping God, loving America, and respecting family.

Maria understands there is right and wrong, good and bad, and things which are pro-America and anti-America. Maria Sheffield is a Christian, an American, and a conservative in that order.

Maria Sheffield is from the grassroots conservative wing of the Republican Party. Maria supports bold, conservative, transformational solutions as opposed to the disaster that is the Obama-Barrow Agenda.

GEORGIA ROOTS - Maria is a Georgia native, born and raised in a small town in Middle Georgia by a mother who was a nurse, and a native of Bibb County, and a father who served and retired from the Air Force and was a native of Laurens County. They were both truly exceptional people who instilled in Maria the value of public service and hard work.  As a student, Maria spent many years active in 4-H. This important program instilled a core set of values in Maria which guide her as an adult.  

Many generations of Maria’s family made their living as farmers and Maria was raised with a deep respect for the land and agriculture.  Maria is proud her family who have lived, farmed and worked in Georgia. Of these, at least five generations have called Laurens County home, which is a beautiful and warm place. As often said in Maria’s family, “It was a good place to live in the 1800’s and it still is today.” Laurens County is like the other counties in Georgia’s 12th Congressional District, each county has a rich heritage, amazing historical sites and treasures, welcoming neighbors, and good old fashioned entrepreneurial spirit.  

COMMITTED TO FAMILY - While Maria was blessed to have such loving and committed parents, her early life was filled with challenges. When she was five years old, her father was forced to retire from the military due to serious medical issues; her mother was killed by a hit and run drunk driver when Maria was only 15 years old; her father died 10 years later from brain cancer. Maria then cared for her only surviving grandparent, her maternal grandmother, who suffered from dementia for the last 9 years of her life. 

Maria and Scott have been happily married for eight years. As a Middle Georgia girl, Maria grew up hunting and fishing and is an avid outdoorsman.  Maria is a certified master scuba diver and tri-athlete. She has proudly completed one marathon and two half-marathons. She has also actively participated in the Multiple Sclerosis 100-plus mile annual fundraiser bike rides for many years.

EDUCATION- Despite the setbacks Maria faced as a young girl, she persevered. She graduated salutatorian from her high school and then worked to put herself through school, earning a BA in Political Science and Master of Public Administration from Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia and her Master of Business and Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia by the age of twenty-five.

SMALL BUSINESS PERSON - Maria runs her own small law firm and understands firsthand what it is like to run a small business in today’s economy. As an attorney, Maria focuses her practice on corporate and regulatory matters and has been recognized for her work with various accolades. Maria is also a registered mediator and arbitrator, eager to help her clients find the right solutions and the most direct path to success without the time and expense associated with litigation. As an entrepreneur herself, Maria uses her business acumen to help her clients make practical and strategic decisions.

COURT ADMISSIONS - Maria is admitted to practice in Georgia, the District of Columbia, Arkansas and New York. Her court admissions include the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; U.S. District Court, Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia; Georgia Court of Appeals; Georgia Supreme Court; District of Columbia Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.

RECENT AWARDS - Maria’s recent professional accolades include selection as one of Atlanta Woman Magazine’s Women on the Way, one of Business Insurance Magazine’s Women to Watch, NALS of Atlanta’s Boss of the Year and recognition as a Rising Star by Georgia Super Lawyer Magazine.

A PROVEN CONSERVATIVE - Maria has been an active Republican since high school, attending her first Republican National Convention months after her eighteenth birthday. Maria also attended two other Republican National Conventions as either an alternate or delegate.

CONTINUED SERVICE - Maria continued her commitment to the Republican Party through college serving as the Public Relations Manager for the College Republicans at Georgia College and State University as well as the President of the Society of Politics and Law. She also served as an officer for the Wilkinson County Republican Party for ten years, serving alternately as Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary. Maria has served as either a delegate or alternate to nearly all District Republican Conventions in her district and the State Republican Conventions for nearly sixteen years.

SHEFFIELD COUNTRY - In her race for Insurance Commissioner in 2010, Maria Sheffield was on the ballot for both the Republican Primary and the Republican Primary Run-off.  For both elections, Maria Sheffield won the 12^th Congressional District. 

There are 17 full counties, and 2 partial counties, in the new 12^th Congressional District. In the 2010 Primary, Maria won 10 of those counties: Columbia, Richmond, Screven, Effingham, Jenkins, Bulloch, Candler, Toombs, Laurens, and Emanuel. Further, out of the 19 total counties in the District, Maria earned at least 20% of the vote in 15 of the counties, in a 9-person race. 

In the Runoff, Maria won or tied in 14 counties: Screven, Effingham, Jenkins, Bulloch, Emanuel, Candler, Evans, Tattnall, Toombs, Appling, Jeff Davis, Wheeler, Montgomery, and Laurens.

THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB - Maria is asking for your support, asking you to tell your friends, family and neighbors about her campaign, and asking you to vote for her in the Republican primary in July 2012. Maria will never forget who she represents; she will work tirelessly for you and will never stop fighting for Georgia.

Edward Everett Hale once said, "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I should do and, with the help of God, I will do.” Maria understands that the key to accomplishment is the belief that what you do will in fact make a difference!