LAKELAND, GA- Q: For those that may not know you, can you tell them a little about yourself?
Marcus: My name is Marcus Ryan, and first and foremost, I’m a man of faith, a husband, a father, and someone who deeply believes that public service is one of the highest callings a person can answer. I’ve spent much of my life listening to people, learning from different communities, and understanding the everyday struggles that families face here in South Georgia.
I wasn’t born believing I would one day run for public office. Like many people, I’ve experienced life’s victories and its setbacks. Those experiences have shaped my perspective and taught me the importance of resilience, compassion, and accountability. They’ve also shown me that real leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about service.
I believe government should work for the people, not the other way around. Too often, citizens feel unheard once elections are over. I want to change that by being a representative who remains visible, accessible, and accountable long after the campaign signs come down.
My passion has always been helping people reach their potential, strengthening our communities, and leaving things better than I found them. Whether that’s supporting families, encouraging young people, advocating for small businesses, or standing up for our rural communities, I believe every person deserves to know someone is fighting for them under the Gold Dome.
Q: You’re currently running for GA State Representative Seat 176. What made you want to run for this position?
Marcus: My decision to run wasn’t driven by politics—it was driven by purpose.
For years, I’ve watched hardworking families struggle with rising costs, small businesses fight just to stay open, farmers face increasing uncertainty, and many of our rural communities feel like they’ve been forgotten. I realized that if people like me—people who genuinely love this community—don’t step forward, then we can’t complain when nothing changes.
I didn’t enter this race because I think I have all the answers. I entered because I believe our communities deserve someone who is willing to listen before leading.
District 176 deserves a representative who is present—not just during election season, but every day afterward. Someone who will answer the phone, attend community meetings, visit our churches, schools, businesses, and farms, and carry the concerns of the people directly to Atlanta.
This campaign isn’t about Marcus Ryan. It’s about making sure South Georgia has a stronger voice and a stronger seat at the table.
Q: You’re currently running for GA State Representative Seat 176. What made you want to run for this position?
Marcus: My decision to run wasn’t driven by politics—it was driven by purpose.
For years, I’ve watched hardworking families struggle with rising costs, small businesses fight just to stay open, farmers face increasing uncertainty, and many of our rural communities feel like they’ve been forgotten. I realized that if people like me—people who genuinely love this community—don’t step forward, then we can’t complain when nothing changes.
I didn’t enter this race because I think I have all the answers. I entered because I believe our communities deserve someone who is willing to listen before leading.
District 176 deserves a representative who is present—not just during election season, but every day afterward. Someone who will answer the phone, attend community meetings, visit our churches, schools, businesses, and farms, and carry the concerns of the people directly to Atlanta.
This campaign isn’t about Marcus Ryan. It’s about making sure South Georgia has a stronger voice and a stronger seat at the table.
Q: Tell us about GA State Representative Seat 176. What does that seat consist of?
Marcus: District 176 is one of the largest and most diverse rural districts in the state. It represents hardworking people who share common values: faith, family, hard work, and community.
Our district is made up of farmers, teachers, healthcare workers, veterans, first responders, entrepreneurs, retirees, students, and families who simply want the opportunity to build a better future.
Agriculture is the backbone of much of our local economy, but we’re also home to small businesses, manufacturers, healthcare facilities, schools, and growing industries that deserve continued investment.
Although every community has its unique identity, many face similar challenges—access to quality healthcare, workforce development, infrastructure improvements, economic growth, educational opportunities, and ensuring our young people can build successful careers without feeling they have to leave South Georgia to do it.
District 176 deserves a representative who understands that what benefits one community often strengthens the entire district.
Q: What have these experiences been like for you? Campaigning, going to the different communities talking to the people for their vote?
Marcus: This has honestly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
People often think campaigning is about giving speeches, but it’s really about listening.
Every town I’ve visited, every church I’ve attended, every front porch conversation, every community event has reminded me that people aren’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for someone who genuinely cares.
I’ve heard from grandparents raising grandchildren. I’ve spoken with young adults wondering if they have a future here. I’ve listened to farmers concerned about rising costs, teachers doing more with less, healthcare professionals trying to serve growing needs, and business owners who simply want government to become a partner rather than another obstacle.
Those conversations have strengthened my conviction that our best ideas don’t come from politicians—they come from the people living these experiences every single day.
Campaigning has reminded me that hope still exists. People haven’t given up. They’re simply waiting for leadership they can believe in.
Q: If elected, what are some of the changes that you’re going to work on in the communities of your district?
Marcus: My priorities begin with listening, because every lasting solution starts with understanding the people it affects.
From there, I want to focus on strengthening our rural economy by supporting small businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship, and creating opportunities that allow our young people to build careers here at home instead of feeling forced to move away.
I also want to advocate for stronger educational opportunities, workforce development, improved infrastructure, expanded access to quality healthcare, and policies that support our farmers and agricultural community.
Protecting homeowners and working families from unnecessary financial burdens is also important to me. We need policies that help people build wealth, not make it harder for them to stay in their homes.
Above all, I want government to become more responsive and transparent. People should never wonder whether their representative is listening.
Q: What are some of the challenges that you have faced since running for GA State Representative Seat 176?
Marcus: One of the biggest challenges has simply been the size of the district. Traveling across multiple communities, meeting as many people as possible, and making sure everyone feels heard requires tremendous time, commitment, and resources.
Running a grassroots campaign also means every dollar matters. You’re constantly balancing fundraising, scheduling events, meeting voters, building a team, and communicating your vision.
Another challenge is overcoming people’s skepticism toward politics. Many people have been disappointed before. They’ve heard promises that weren’t kept.
I understand that skepticism.
That’s why I don’t ask people to trust my words alone. I ask them to watch my actions, my consistency, and my willingness to remain accessible before and after Election Day.
Trust isn’t demanded—it is earned.
Q: If you could make one change in the communities right now, what would that change be, and why?
Marcus: If I could make one immediate change, it would be restoring people’s belief that their voice truly matters.
When citizens stop believing they can influence government, communities begin to lose hope. Civic participation declines, young people become disengaged, and progress slows.
I want every resident of District 176 to know that they deserve a seat at the table regardless of their background, income, race, age, or political affiliation.
When government listens first, communities become stronger.
When communities become stronger, businesses grow.
Families thrive.
Young people return home.
Hope grows.
That’s the kind of change I want to help create.
Q: So what’s the main focus for Marcus Ryan right now?
Marcus: Right now, my focus is earning the trust of the people of District 176.
That means continuing to meet people where they are, listening to their concerns, building relationships, and presenting practical solutions instead of political slogans.
I’m focused on building a campaign rooted in integrity, service, and accountability.
Regardless of the outcome of this election, I want people to be able to say one thing about Marcus Ryan:
“He cared enough to show up.”
Q: I would like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to conduct this interview. Are there any last comments that you want to make?
Marcus: First, I want to thank The R Report Magazine for providing a platform to discuss the issues that matter most to our communities.
To everyone reading this, whether you support me today or not, I want you to know that this campaign is built on one simple belief: our communities are stronger when we work together.
We don’t have to agree on every issue to agree that our children deserve better opportunities, our seniors deserve dignity, our farmers deserve support, our businesses deserve room to grow, and our communities deserve leaders who listen.
I believe South Georgia’s greatest days are still ahead of us.
If I’m given the honor of serving as your State Representative, I will work every day to earn your trust—not just with my words, but with my actions.
Because leadership is not about being served.
Leadership is about serving others.
Thank you, and may God continue to bless each of you, District 176, and the great State of Georgia.
Article by Patrick Gloster
