Sheri_Smallwood_Gilligan
Sheri Gilligan
American politician
Sheri Smallwood Gilligan[4][5] (née Sheri Smallwood, born March 25, 1963) is an American politician who served in the Georgia House of Representatives for the 24th district from 2015 to 2023.[6][7] Gilligan was first elected in 2015 in a special election after previous representative Mark Hamilton resigned;[3] she beat out three other opponents to complete Hamilton's remaining 18-month term.[8]
Gilligan was born and raised in Forsyth County. While in high school, she competed at rifle shooting and set a new state record.[2] After graduating from the University of Georgia,[2] Gilligan moved to the Washington, D.C. area, where she worked as an intelligence analyst for two decades, including at the CIA.[3][2] She also joined the Naval Reserve.[8]
She is also a substitute teacher for Forsyth County Schools; she previously taught as an adjunct instructor at Lanier Technical College.[8]
A self-described conservative,[9] Gilligan supports gun rights, wants to lower taxes, and restricting abortion.[3]