First-term Georgia House member Letitia “Tish” Naghise has passed away. Naghise passed away on Wednesday, according to House Speaker Jon Burns’ spokesperson Kaleb McMichen. Wan Smith, a friend and former coworker, reported that Naghise passed away at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, where she had been admitted for many days. The reason of death was not disclosed.
“She was an excellent servant leader, an extraordinary and versatile leader, who didn’t start or stop with the legislature,” remarked Smith, who oversaw Naghise while she worked for the environmental advocacy group Georgia Conservation Voters Education Fund.
The 59-year-old Fayetteville resident defeated a Republican easily in the general election after winning the Democratic primary in House District 68, which comprises Atlanta suburbs in southern Fulton and northern Fayette counties.
On her website, Naghise said that it was Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in 2008 that first drew her into Democratic politics.
She served on the state committee and was a delegate to the 2020 Democratic National Convention. In 2017, she volunteered for U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff’s first, unsuccessful bid for the U.S. House. Naghise was referred to by the Democrat as “a kind, loving, industrious, and committed community leader and public servant” in a statement on Wednesday.
Here we given the recent tweet related to her:
Georgia state Rep. Tish Naghise dies https://t.co/2xEBUp7O4o
— Atlanta Journal-Constitution (@ajc) March 8, 2023
Before making a successful maiden attempt at government in 2022, Naghise worked for the Democratic Party of Georgia, the census advocacy group Fair Count, and Georgia Conservation Voters.
In addition to campaigning for office, Smith said Naghise was a full-time employee of Georgia Conservation Voters and a master networker.
She was just a typical person, but Smith said she knew everyone. “She knew someone there or knew someone who could put her in contact with someone there,” I said, “no matter what area of the state we were organizing in.”
On her website, Naghise claimed to have held positions as a paralegal and fraud examiner. According to state ethics reports, she also possessed a small stake in T & C Transportation Enterprises, a trucking company. Naghise was originally from Nigeria.
Do you know which celebrities died? See how they died in recent publications:
- Joe Zucchero Obituary: What Was the Reason for His Death?
- Tom Jackson Obituary: His Life Journey To Death All Covered!
- Wayne Shorter Obituary, Legendary Jazz Saxophonist Dies At 89
Rep. Naghise was “my personal friend and a beloved member of the Democratic Caucus,” according to a statement from Macon Democrat James Beverly, the House Minority Leader. “She arrived at the Capitol with enthusiasm and grace, and she immediately made an impression. She strongly desired to fight for the greater good, which inspired her to devote her life to organizing and serving the public.”
According to Smith, Naghise’s husband Charles and one son are still alive, but another died in 2021. To replace Naghise, Governor Brian Kemp will call a special election.
Democratic Rep. Michael Glanton of Jonesboro resigned for health reasons, leaving a second open House seat in Clayton County.
On March 21, voters in House District 75 will go to the polls to choose Glanton’s successor. There would be a runoff in April if no one received a majority.
You can also stay tuned with us on our Twitter handle.
