Rob Clifton
Rob Clifton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 131st district | |
| Assumed office January 13, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Jodi Lott |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 October Augusta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Lauren Clifton |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Auburn University |
| Website | https://www.legis.ga.gov/members/house/5080?session=1033 |
Robert Solomon Clifton[1] is an American politician and businessman who has been a member of the Georgia House of Representatives for the 131st district since January 13, 2025.[2] This district comprises a portion of Columbia County, Georgia, and the City of Evans.[3] The district has a population of around 61,000 people.[3]
Clifton currently serves on the Economic Development and Tourism, Interstate Cooperation and Transportation committees.
Elections
[edit]2024
[edit]On November 5, 2024, Clifton defeated Democrat opponent Heather White in District 131 at the 2024 Georgia House of Representatives election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Rob Clifton | 21,351 | 65.1% | N/A | |
| Democratic | Heather White | 11,466 | 34.9% | +34.9 | |
| Total votes | 32,817 | 100.0% | |||
Clifton defeated fellow Republican Paul Abbott in the June 18, 2024 runoff election after no candidate secured a majority in the primary election.[4]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Rob Clifton | 1,561 | 73.3% | +24.5 | |
| Republican | Paul Abbott | 569 | 26.7% | +7.9 | |
| Total votes | 2,130 | 100.0% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Rob Clifton | 1,887 | 48.8% | N/A | |
| Republican | Paul Abbott | 728 | 18.8% | N/A | |
| Republican | Russell Wilder | 674 | 17.4% | N/A | |
| Republican | Benjamin Cairns | 333 | 8.6% | N/A | |
| Republican | David Byrne | 247 | 6.4% | N/A | |
| Total votes | 3,869 | 100.0% | |||
Legislative positions and appointments
[edit]House Majority Whip James Burchett appointed Clifton to the 2025–26 Majority Whip Team.[5] This group of Republican legislators educates and coordinates legislators of their party to advance key initiatives within the House of Representatives.[6] He also sits on the House Study Committee on Affordability & Accessibility of Georgia’s Legitimation Process, which investigates methods to ensure Georgia's legitimation process is open to all.[7]
Political beliefs
[edit]Clifton maintains conservative political beliefs, and wants to "represent [the District] and the conservatives of Columbia County."[8] He stated he wants to "hold true to what [his] county is" and avoid liberalization as Columbia County urbanizes.[8]
Abortion
[edit]Clifton is "pro-life".[8] On an April 1, 2024 candidate survey conducted by Georgia Life Alliance, Clifton stated abortion should be illegal in all instances.[9] He supports the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022) and Georgia's "Heartbeat Bill".[9]
Immigration
[edit]Clifton is a member of the Pro-Enforcement Immigration Caucus, a legislative caucus "dedicated to strengthening immigration enforcement and ensuring the rule of law is upheld throughout Georgia"[10][11] The Caucus supports increased cooperation and information-sharing with federal immigration agencies, like United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).[10]
Law enforcement
[edit]On February 6, 2025, Clifton sponsored HB 309, which would require county governments to receive majority public support in a ballot referendum before a county police force may be abolished.[12]
Personal life
[edit]Clifton is a father of two, and is the CEO of SD Clifton Construction.[8][13][14]
Clifton is a member of the Journey Community Church.[8]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Georgia State Rep. Rob Clifton - Biography". LegiStorm. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ↑ "Rob Clifton (Georgia)". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on February 7, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
- 1 2 "House District 131 Data Profile" (PDF). Atlanta Regional Commission. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 7, 2024.
- ↑ Hill, Stephanie (June 19, 2024). "Clifton wins District 131 runoff in Columbia County". The Augusta Press. Archived from the original on February 7, 2025. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ↑ "Georgia General Assembly Week 6 Roundup: tort reform, tax breaks and the circus". State Affairs. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ↑ "Rep. Rob Clifton Appointed to Majority Caucus Whip Team for the 2025–2026 Legislative Term – Georgia House of Representatives". February 24, 2025. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ↑ AllOnGeorgia (May 16, 2025). "Speaker Jon Burns Announces Appointments to 2025 House Study Committees". AllOnGeorgia. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Wright, Liz (March 18, 2024). "Local builder explains his candidacy for District 131". The Augusta Press. Archived from the original on February 7, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
- 1 2 "Georgia Candidate Pro-Life Certification Application for Rob Clifton" (PDF). Georgia Life Alliance. April 1, 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 7, 2025. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- 1 2 "Chairman Jesse Petrea, Georgia Lawmakers, Launch Pro-Enforcement Immigration Caucus at State Capitol – Georgia House of Representatives". April 4, 2025. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ↑ "Local lawmakers, others launch 'pro-enforcement immigration caucus'". WSAV-TV. April 5, 2025. Archived from the original on April 23, 2025. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ↑ "Georgia HB309 | TrackBill". trackbill.com. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ↑ Cline, Damon. "S.D. Clifton Construction celebrates 30 years in business". The Augusta Chronicle. Archived from the original on February 7, 2025. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ↑ "Rob Clifton – SD Clifton Construction, Inc".
