Max Burns seeks fourth term in Georgia Senate District 23 rematch with Shayna Boston

SYLVANIA, Ga. — Republican state Sen. Max Burns is seeking a fourth term representing Georgia’s Senate District 23, facing a rematch against Democrat Shayna Boston, whom he defeated in 2024.

Burns, a former U.S. congressman and college president, was first elected to the state Senate in 2021. The district covers 11 counties.

“I think I’m different,” Burns said in a one-on-one interview, reflecting on his previous matchup with Boston.

“I’ve matured and I’ve grown and I’ve been able to expand my influence in the state senate and really across the state.”

Burns said he and Boston hold fundamentally different philosophies of government.

“I’m a free enterprise person. I believe in capitalism. I believe that individuals should be responsible for their future,” Burns said.

Agriculture and infrastructure

Burns, who lives on his family’s cattle farm in Screven County, said supporting the state’s ports and agricultural economy remains a top priority.

“The Port of Savannah is the strongest economic entity in our state,” Burns said. “Transportation, agriculture — number one industry in our state... If we grow ag 10 percent, we grow Georgia.”

Healthcare

On healthcare, Burns said he opposes a full, unconditional expansion of Medicaid in Georgia.

“I do not support Medicaid expansion unilaterally in its current form,” Burns said. “I support expanding Medicaid where there’s a partnership between the individual receiving the benefit and the provider.”

Housing affordability

Burns also pointed to housing costs as a growing concern for families in the district.

“We have to get housing in areas where people want to live but also can’t afford,” Burns said. “Right now, the average cost of a new home is over $300,000. That’s unrealistic for many, many people.”

Education

As a former university dean and college president, Burns pointed to recent increases in teacher pay as evidence of his party’s investment in education.

“As conservative Republicans in the Georgia House and Senate, we’ve increased teacher pay four out of the last five years,” Burns said. “We are now among the highest entry-level teacher pays in our region, in the southeastern regional area.”

Burns said he also wants to overhaul how the state funds schools, pushing for a formula based on outcomes rather than enrollment.

“I want to change the funding formula in higher ed. That’s my area of focus. And in secondary ed, it needs to be done as well,” Burns said.

“To be results driven, not inputs driven.”

Political background

Burns previously served one term in the U.S. House, representing Georgia’s 12th Congressional District during the 108th Congress, before losing his reelection bid in 2004. He later led Gordon State College as its president from 2012 to 2017.

Why he’s running again

Asked what motivates him to keep running, Burns pointed to his family.

“I have a wonderful wife of 53 years. I have two wonderful sons. I have three grandchildren,” Burns said. “I may not be here to see Georgia’s future, but they will... Lily is my granddaughter. She’s 14.”

Burns faces Boston, the Democratic nominee, in the Nov. 3 general election.

Watch full interview below: