Mandi Ballinger: A Voice for Georgia’s Most Vulnerable

In a statement, Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns shared that State Representative Mandi Ballinger has passed away after a long and courageous battle against cancer. Ballinger, who represented her district with integrity and compassion for more than a decade, was widely respected for her tireless advocacy for children, families, and survivors of domestic violence.

A Distinguished Career in Public Service

Rep. Mandi Ballinger was serving her fourth term in the Georgia House of Representatives at the time of her passing. She chaired the Judiciary Juvenile Committee and served on numerous others, including the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety, Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Judiciary Non-Civil, Reapportionment and Redistricting, and Transportation Committees.

Her leadership extended beyond the House floor. Ballinger was appointed by Speaker David Ralston to the Georgia Commission on Domestic Violence, the Georgia Child Fatality Review Board, and the Georgia Council for Interstate Juvenile Supervision. She also served on the Sex Offender Registration and Review Board and the Special Advisory Group for Juvenile Justice, appointed by former Governor Nathan Deal.

Her dedication to children and families led to an appointment to the Georgia Supreme Court’s Justice for Children Committee by Justice David E. Nahmias, and she actively participated in the Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee with the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL), as well as the Human Services and Public Safety Committee with the Southern Legislative Conference.

Champion for the Vulnerable

Throughout her career, Chairlady Ballinger was recognized as a steadfast advocate for those most in need. Her legislative work significantly advanced Georgia’s laws addressing domestic violence and child abuse. She received recognition for her leadership from the Georgia Association of Solicitor Generals, the District Attorneys Association, the Georgia Commission on Domestic Violence, and the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

A strong supporter of the Second Amendment, Ballinger was twice honored as Legislator of the Year by Georgia Carry for her work on firearm rights and safety. Her leadership on juvenile justice issues earned her the Martha K. Glazebrook Award from the Georgia Council of Juvenile Court Judges.

A Leader Beyond the Capitol

Before her time in elected office, Ballinger’s compassion guided her work in victim advocacy and nonprofit leadership. She began her career in a domestic violence shelter, later serving as a Victim Advocate for a district attorney’s office and as founding director for a Child Advocacy Center. Her professional journey reflected her lifelong commitment to helping others and protecting Georgia’s most vulnerable citizens.

In her community, she served on the boards of Cherokee Focus and The Children’s Haven, the local Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program. Her engagement in civic life was matched by her personal warmth and dedication to those around her.

Honored for Her Leadership

Ballinger’s exemplary leadership was recognized through her participation in national programs, including NCSL’s Emerging Leaders Program and the Child Welfare Fellows Program. She was also selected for the State Legislative Leaders Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Program in association with the University of Virginia. In 2013, she completed the Georgia Legislative Leadership Institute (GLLI) at the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government.

Remembered for Her Strength and Heart

In his statement, Speaker Burns described Ballinger’s service as “marked by unwavering resilience and the utmost dedication,” noting her “indelible mark on countless lives across the entire state of Georgia.” He asked Georgians to join him and his wife, Dayle, in lifting up Ballinger’s husband, State Court Judge Allen Morris, her son, Henry, and their family and loved ones in prayer.

Mandi Ballinger’s enduring legacy of compassion, courage, and commitment will continue to inspire those who serve the state she loved so deeply.