By Milton Kirby | Stone Mountain, GA | November 10, 2025

The crowd packed into Nostalgia Kitchen & Cocktails in Stone Mountain wasn’t there for reality television drama — they came to hear a new kind of pitch.

Dr. Heavenly Kimes, best known for her role on Bravo’s Married to Medicine, stepped off the screen and into the political arena Saturday afternoon, holding her first town hall at the restaurant as a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Georgia’s 13th Congressional District.

The nostalgic, mural-lined restaurant, tucked near downtown Stone Mountain, served as a fitting backdrop — lively, intimate, and full of conversation. Plates clattered, phones recorded, and neighbors leaned close as Kimes began to speak. Neighbors and fellow doctors were in the building, many eager to hear how one of their own planned to bring bedside compassion to Washington.

At 54, the dentist, entrepreneur, and TV personality is no stranger to reinvention. For years, she’s built a brand around transformation — first in smiles, now in service. What began as a planned run for the Georgia House of Representatives (District 93) has turned into something larger: a bid for Congress.

“Just days before I announced for State House, the One Big Beautiful Bill was signed,” Kimes told the audience. “I waited to hear something from my Congressman about it — I did not. When Donald Trump launched a retribution campaign against former allies like John Bolton, I hoped to hear my Congressman take a stand — I did not. Thousands of Georgians have lost their jobs this year, and I expected to see leadership at a town hall to help families transition to new opportunities — I did not.”

She paused, then added, “After hearing from community leaders urging me to run for Congress, I realized this: we need more than a vote in Washington, we need a voice. People are scared, but they also have hope — and they deserve someone willing to speak to both.”

From the Office to the District

Kimes’ campaign now centers on three familiar pillars — healthcare, economic development, and education reform. She said her decision to enter politics grew out of years of serving patients who couldn’t afford care. But even more heartbreaking, they can’t afford the prescriptions that go along with it.”

She told the crowd she understood the struggle personally. “When my first child was born, I received WIC benefits,” she said, referencing the federal Women, Infants and Children program. “Without those benefits, life would have been different.”

It was one of many moments where she blurred the line between TV personality and public servant — grounded in both story and sincerity.

New Leadership for a Changing District

Georgia’s 13th District, stretching across portions of DeKalb, Clayton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, and Rockdale Counties, has been represented by Congressman David Scott since 2002. Kimes made clear she respects Scott’s long tenure but believes a generational shift is overdue.

Scott served in the Georgia General Assembly from 1974 to 2002 — first in the House of Representatives (1974–1982) and then in the State Senate (1983–2002). He was first elected to Congress in 2002 and began his current term in January 2003. Kimes noted that Congressman Scott failed to vote in the last six elections — something she believes reflects the need for new leadership.

“We must have a new kind of candidate — one who is ready to fight for healthcare access, economic opportunity, education, and justice for every family in GA-13,” she said.

Her campaign manager, veteran political strategist Fred Hicks, framed her candidacy as essential to energizing Georgia’s Democratic base.

“If Democrats are going to win Georgia and take back the House, we need candidates like Dr. Heavenly,” Hicks said. “Candidates who are less political, more passionate, and deeply visible in their communities. Her voice and her audience are the missing keys to closing the vote gap and delivering Democratic victories.”

Healthcare at the Heart

Healthcare dominated the Stone Mountain discussion. From mental health to medical affordability, Kimes linked policy goals to lived experience.

She floated one creative — if unconventional — idea to address mental health funding: adding a one-dime fee to every ticket sold through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

“With about 108 million passengers passing through annually,” she explained, “that dime could generate roughly $10.8 million a year for mental health initiatives across metro Atlanta.”

Audience members nodded, some whispering their approval. One man in the back clapped softly, saying, “That’s thinking outside the box.”

Kimes emphasized that the federal government must partner more directly with counties to ensure those funds reach frontline organizations treating addiction and crisis intervention.

Faith in Families and Small Business

Her platform also calls for targeted investment in local entrepreneurs — particularly women- and minority-owned small businesses — and for expanding career-path programs in schools to bridge the gap between education and opportunity.

“I’ve built businesses from the ground up,” she said. “I know what it takes to sign a payroll and meet a budget. We need to make sure more people — especially our youth — learn those same skills early.”

Education, she said, should prepare students not only for college but also for trades, healthcare, and technology jobs that sustain families right here in Georgia.

“Not everyone’s path is the same,” she said. “We’ve got to invest in schools, teachers, and programs that give every child a real chance.”

The Personal Touch

Throughout the afternoon, Kimes balanced policy with personality — offering flashes of the humor and authenticity that have made her a fan favorite on television.

At one point, Hicks asked bluntly why voters should choose her to represent Georgia’s 13th Congressional District.

Kimes smiled. “You should vote for Dr. Heavenly not only because she’s the best person for the job — but because she’s real, she’s relatable, she has the reach, she has the resources, and she has the platform.”

Her voice carried both confidence and conviction.

“Congress works for the people,” she said. “And right now, a lot of people don’t feel like anyone’s working for them.”

Campaign in Motion

The Stone Mountain town hall marked the early phase of her congressional run. The campaign is still developing its detailed policy proposals, but Kimes made clear she intends to keep the conversation local — visiting neighborhoods, schools, churches, and small businesses across the district.

Her team plans a series of “Real Talk with Dr. Heavenly” sessions — informal meet-ups where residents can share concerns directly.

“We’ll keep these going,” she told attendees. “You’ll see me in Decatur, Riverdale, Stockbridge — everywhere. We can’t change anything if we don’t listen first.”

Though light on legislative specifics for now, her message of empathy and empowerment resonated with the audience. As the event ended, supporters lined up for photos, handshakes, and hugs — some thanking her for “showing up” where others had not.

A Campaign to Watch

Dr. Heavenly Kimes’ entry into the race makes Georgia’s 13th Congressional District one of the state’s most closely watched contests in 2026. Her celebrity brings visibility; her message brings energy. Whether that combination translates into electoral success remains to be seen.

But one thing was clear in Stone Mountain: Kimes intends to campaign like she practices dentistry — with a bright smile, sharp precision, and a steady hand.

The Truth Seekers Journal will continue to follow her campaign. As Dr. Heavenly releases more details on healthcare, education, and economic policy proposals, we will keep our readers informed.

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