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Shawn Still
Shawn Still
from Wikipedia

Shawn Micah Tresher Still is an American businessman and politician who has represented the 48th district in the Georgia Senate since 2023. He is a member of the Republican Party. He was indicted along with former President Trump and 17 others for interfering in the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.[1]

Key Information

Life

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Still was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. He received a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Alabama. He became the sole owner of a swimming pool construction business, originally founded by his cousin, in 2015. The business employs over 100 people in Gwinnett County. Still is also the owner of a rafting company based in Bryson City, North Carolina.[2][3]

Still is a member of the Republican Party. He was elected to the 48th district in the 2022 Georgia State Senate election, in which he defeated Democrat Josh Uddin. After the most recent round of redistricting, the 48th district contains part of southern Forsyth County, as well as parts of Fulton and Gwinnett counties. Prior to being elected to the Georgia Senate, Still served as finance chairman for the Georgia Republican Party.[4]

Fake electors

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Still was one of the fake electors who participated in the Trump fake electors plot after the 2020 United States presidential election, which aimed to award Georgia's electoral votes to Donald Trump after he lost the state of Georgia to Joe Biden.[5]

He was one of 14 people, and one of two people from Georgia, who were subpoenaed by the January 6th Committee in January 2022 for their involvement in the alternate electors scheme.[6][7][8] On August 14, 2023, Still was indicted in the prosecution related to the 2020 election in Georgia for allegedly violating Georgia's RICO Act, impersonating a public officer, forgery, false statements and writings, and other charges.[9] Like all other defendants charged in the case, Still pleaded not guilty upon being arrested. In September of that year, a three-person panel recommended not to temporarily remove Still from office as he awaits trial.[10]

In January 2024, Still co-sponsored S.B. 390, which would withhold government funding for any libraries in Georgia affiliated with the American Library Association. The bill was drafted following the election of ALA President Emily Drabinski and allegations of the organization promoting a personal ideology and influencing librarian certification.[11][12][13]

In the 2024 general election, Still held his seat with over 53% of the vote against Ashwin Ramaswami, the Democratic candidate.[14][15]

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Shawn Micah Still (born October 2, 1972) is an American businessman and Republican politician serving as a for Georgia's 48th since January 2023. A native of Georgia, Still built a successful career in the industry as the owner and president of Olympic Pool Plastering & , the largest swimming pool subcontractor in the , prior to entering . He was elected to the in November 2022, representing parts of Forsyth County including areas around Cumming and Alpharetta. During his tenure, Still has advocated for policies promoting , election security measures, and significant state tax reductions, contributing to legislative efforts aligned with Republican priorities in the General Assembly. In August 2023, Still was indicted by a Fulton County alongside former President and others on charges under Georgia's RICO , stemming from his role in submitting an alternate slate of presidential electors for Trump in the 2020 amid ongoing legal challenges to the certified results. Still has pleaded not guilty, maintaining that the elector actions were a contingency for potential reversals of the outcome, a position echoed by co-defendants who argue the document was conditional and not intended to deceive. As the only sitting state legislator among the defendants, Still was not suspended from office following the indictment, and he continues to serve while facing a hearing and a competitive re-election bid in 2026.

Early Life and Background

Childhood and Education

Shawn Micah Tresher Still was born on October 2, 1972, in Jacksonville, Florida. He later relocated to Georgia, where he grew up in Johns Creek. Still attended the University of Alabama, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. During his time there, he competed in collegiate swimming and rugby as a multi-sport athlete.

Family and Personal Influences

Still was raised as the only child of a single mother amid financial hardship and . This upbringing fostered a profound emphasis on , prompting him to secure his first job at age 12 and maintain continuous employment thereafter. Still has attributed his relentless —describing himself as working harder than anyone he knows—to these early experiences, which shaped his approach to overcoming adversity without external support. In his , Still is a to three daughters and has resided in the Johns Creek area since before the city's formal establishment in 2006. These family dynamics, combined with his formative years under a single parent's guidance, underscore a centered on perseverance and familial responsibility, influencing his advocacy for policies addressing economic challenges faced by working families.

Business Career

Founding and Growth of Olympic Pool Plastering

Olympic Pool Plastering was incorporated on April 13, 1984, in , by Phil Still, who served as its founder and initial leader alongside his wife Susan Still. The company operates exclusively as a to professional pool builders, specializing in installation for concrete pool shells and application of interior finishes such as , , and . From its inception, it focused on residential and commercial projects across Georgia, , and , building a reputation for quality workmanship in pool construction trades. Under Phil and Susan Still's ownership, the firm expanded steadily through the and , handling increasingly complex installations while maintaining a family-operated structure. By the early , it had established long-term partnerships, including recognition from Pebble Technology International for sales and quality excellence starting in 2002. The business emphasized professional trade relationships, avoiding direct consumer sales to prioritize specialized subcontracting efficiency. Shawn Still, a to Phil and , joined Olympic Pool Plastering in December 2003 as part of a planned succession, transitioning from prior roles in software sales and home health management. Following the cousins' retirement in , Shawn purchased the company and assumed the role of president and CEO, leading to accelerated growth; by , operations had expanded approximately 50 percent since his entry, with further scaling to become the largest pool subcontracting firm in the . Under his leadership, the company has completed nearly 20,000 interior finishes and concrete shells, encompassing projects from residential pools to large-scale centers and waterparks. This expansion reflects investments in workforce capacity—now exceeding 80 employees—and adherence to high-quality materials and processes, sustaining annual revenues estimated at over $6 million.

Industry Achievements and Challenges

Shawn Still assumed leadership roles at Olympic Pool Plastering & , a company founded in 1983 by family members, joining in 2003 as part of a succession plan and purchasing it outright in 2015 following the retirement of cousins and Still. Under his presidency, the firm expanded to become the largest subcontractor in the , specializing in concrete pool shells and interior finishes such as Tec products, with annual revenues exceeding $20 million. The company grew to employ 75 full-time workers across three states, maintaining over 90% and accumulating nearly 20,000 interior finishes and concrete shells under warranty. It earned consistent highest recognitions from Technology International for sales volume and quality since 2002, relying on reputation-driven referrals without paid . Key achievements include navigating industry demands through specialized craftsmanship, serving pool builders and direct homeowners while implementing measures that supported long-term warranties. Still's strategic focus on partnerships enabled expansion into five Southern states, positioning the firm as a leader in and plastering amid regional construction booms. Challenges during Still's tenure encompassed initial workforce integration, where his background in and software sales—lacking direct field experience—led to resistance from a predominantly , blue-collar crew skeptical of nepotistic entry; he addressed this by immersing himself in hands-on operations to build credibility. The 2008 recession severely impacted the sector, with new installations plummeting due to market collapse and credit constraints; Olympic Pool Plastering, initially somewhat insulated, eventually faced downturn effects across its Southern markets, requiring adaptations like cost controls and sustained client relationships to preserve operations. Additional hurdles involved environmental compliance, such as managing plaster waste to mitigate ecological impacts, prompting initiatives for waste reduction in Georgia operations.

Entry into Politics

Motivations and Initial Involvement

Shawn Still, a successful businessman leading Olympic Pool Plastering & Shotcrete, first became actively involved in Georgia Republican Party operations in 2019. He contributed to resolving the party's financial challenges, assuming the role of finance chairman and facilitating the raising of approximately $48 million during the 2020 election cycle. This behind-the-scenes engagement marked his initial foray into partisan politics, leveraging his business acumen for fundraising and organizational stability. Still's motivations for seeking elected office stemmed from a stated passion for the , Georgia, and its communities, coupled with a commitment to policy reforms addressing perceived electoral vulnerabilities and economic competitiveness. In announcing his 2022 candidacy for Georgia State Senate District 48, he prioritized securing elections through measures such as eliminating drop boxes and strengthening Senate Bill 202, alongside advocating for the elimination of the to attract businesses. These positions reflected his emphasis on integrity in governance, inspired by historical figures like and personal influences including his mother and uncle. His entry into the electoral arena was also influenced by conservative social priorities, including protections for and scholarships against participation, framed as safeguarding opportunities for female athletes. Still positioned his campaign as a full-time dedication to constituent service, drawing on his experience as a 2020 Republican presidential elector nominee—where he testified before amid election disputes—to underscore a commitment to electoral accountability. This blend of , election reform, and cultural issues propelled his successful bid, defeating Democrat Josh Uddin in the November 8, 2022, with 52.5% of the vote.

2022 State Senate Campaign

Shawn Still, a businessman from , ran for the open District 48 seat in the 2022 election cycle, representing parts of Forsyth and Gwinnett counties. His campaign highlighted conservative priorities including tax reduction, election security measures such as eliminating drop boxes, opposition to in education, protection of categories, and reform. In the Republican primary election on May 24, 2022, Still defeated challenger Kevin Grindlay, securing 10,798 votes (57.1 percent) to Grindlay's 8,129 votes (42.9 percent), with a total of 18,927 votes cast. The primary occurred amid media attention to Still's prior involvement in Georgia's alternate electors process related to the 2020 presidential election, yet he advanced as the nominee without apparent impact on voter support in the Republican contest. Still faced Democrat Josh Uddin in the general election on November 8, 2022. He won with 41,464 votes (56.7 percent) against Uddin's 31,635 votes (43.3 percent), totaling 73,099 votes. The victory margin reflected the district's Republican lean, though narrower than typical for the area, amid a broader statewide context of competitive midterm races. Campaign finance records show Still raised $495,571 in contributions for the election, supporting outreach in the suburban district. His platform aligned with Georgia Republican emphases on and electoral reforms, contributing to his successful entry into state politics.

Legislative Service

Key Committee Roles

Upon election to the Georgia State Senate in 2022 and assumption of office in January 2023, Shawn Still was assigned to multiple standing committees for the 2023-2024 and 2025-2026 sessions, including leadership positions that reflect his influence on policy areas such as government operations and environmental regulation. He serves as Vice Chairman of the State and Local Governmental Operations Committee, which reviews legislation on administrative structures, finances, and intergovernmental relations, enabling him to shape reforms in efficiency and . Still holds the role of on the Natural Resources and the Environment Committee, where he contributes to oversight of water management, land conservation, and pollution control measures, drawing on his business background in construction-related industries. As a member of the and Committee, he addresses K-12 funding, curriculum standards, and school safety protocols; the Committee, handling budget allocations and ; the Committee, examining and bills; and the Transportation Committee, focusing on infrastructure and highway projects. In ex-officio capacities, Still participates in the Insurance and Labor Committee, influencing workers' compensation and employment regulations, and the Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security Committee, which deals with support for military personnel and emergency preparedness. Beyond standing committees, he has been appointed to study committees, including the 2024 Senate Safe Firearm Storage Study Committee, tasked with evaluating storage laws to balance safety and Second Amendment rights, and the 2025 Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism, aimed at boosting economic development through hospitality and attractions. These roles underscore his engagement in both routine legislative oversight and targeted policy investigations. Still has focused his legislative efforts on , including accelerating reductions, as evidenced by his support for measures that hastened Georgia's largest state in history during the 2023 session. His priorities also emphasize expanding educational options through initiatives, which he co-authored to provide greater parental control over children's schooling. Additional emphases include bolstering election security to prevent , fostering business-friendly policies to attract , and protecting individual liberties such as religious freedom and fair competition in athletics. Key sponsored bills reflect these priorities. In the 2025 session, Still introduced SB 1, which mandates fair and safe student participation in school sports by requiring alignment with biological sex to preserve competitive equity, particularly benefiting female athletes; the bill passed both chambers and took effect on July 1, 2025. He also sponsored SB 36 to safeguard religious freedom by prohibiting government discrimination against faith-based organizations in licensing and contracting, which passed and became law on , 2025. Another measure, SB 55, aims to phase out the subminimum wage for workers with disabilities, promoting full-wage employment opportunities while maintaining exemptions for certain nonprofit workshops; it passed and is effective July 1, 2025. Still sponsored SB 12 in 2025 to refine inspection rules under Title 50, enhancing transparency while protecting sensitive data from unwarranted disclosure; it passed on May 14, 2025. He introduced SB 23 to increase investment thresholds for state retirement funds, allowing for diversified growth to ensure long-term solvency, though it remained engrossed without final passage by session's end. In human trafficking efforts, Still sponsored legislation creating the Victims of Fund to support survivor services, which advanced through committee in 2024. These initiatives underscore his commitment to practical reforms grounded in economic liberty and public safety.

2020 Presidential Election Activities

Participation in Alternate Electors Process

On December 14, 2020, the date designated for states to cast their votes, Shawn Still joined 15 other Republican nominees in Georgia to convene as an alternate slate of presidential electors. The group met at the in , where they signed and notarized a "Certificate of the Votes of the Electors for President and Vice President of the from the State of Georgia." The certificate declared the signatories, including Still, as the "duly elected and qualified Electors for President and of the of America from the State of Georgia," and recorded unanimous votes for as president and Michael Pence as vice president. Copies of the document were transmitted to Pence, President of the U.S. ; the ; the ; and the chief election official of Georgia. This action paralleled similar alternate elector efforts in four other states—, , , and —where Republican groups also submitted competing certificates asserting Trump victories amid unresolved election disputes. Still's involvement stemmed from his nomination earlier that year as one of Georgia's Republican presidential elector candidates by the state party, alongside figures such as former Republican Party chair David Shafer and county Republican chair Cathleen Latham. The alternate slate's assembly occurred after Georgia's official Democratic electors had certified Joe Biden's victory on December 14, following statewide certification of Biden's win by approximately 11,779 votes on November 19, 2020, and despite pending lawsuits challenging the results. Still and his co-defendants maintained that their participation in the alternate electors process on , 2020, served as a contingency measure to safeguard potential legal remedies amid unresolved election disputes in Georgia. Specifically, they argued that ongoing litigation, including a verified filed by then-President Trump and David Shafer on December 4, 2020, challenging the state's certification, justified submitting a conditional slate of electors to preserve rights under the (3 U.S.C. § 6), as no final judicial resolution had occurred by the safe harbor deadline. The certificate they signed explicitly conditioned their votes on a determining that Trump had won Georgia or that results were uncertifiable due to irregularities, framing the action as provisional rather than an assertion of unqualified victory. This rationale drew on historical precedent from the 1960 presidential election, where Democratic electors submitted dual slates amid a contest resolved post-certification, allowing to consider alternatives without deeming the actions fraudulent; Still's filings invoked this as lawful practice under federal . Participants, advised by counsel including Trump campaign attorney , viewed the meeting—held at the Georgia Capitol—as fulfilling a duty to provide with complete electoral evidence, ensuring that any successful challenge could activate their slate without procedural default. Still's defense emphasized that the process mirrored permissible contingency planning in close elections, not an intent to subvert certified results, and was undertaken in belief that evidence of voting irregularities warranted . Legally, Still's motions contended that the actions fell outside state criminal jurisdiction due to , as the and (3 U.S.C. § 15) exclusively govern elector selection and congressional counting, rendering Georgia's RICO, , and false statements charges inapplicable to federally protected conduct. They argued lack of criminal intent, asserting no deception occurred since the certificate disclosed its conditional nature and aligned with statutory provisions allowing contests to proceed to post-safe harbor. First Amendment protections were invoked, portraying the elector meeting as core political association and expression immune from prosecution absent clear fair notice of illegality, with historical analogs confirming such slates as non-fraudulent. These arguments sought to quash the , positing that prosecuting contingent electors would unconstitutionally interfere with federal electoral processes.

Fulton County Indictment Details

Shawn Still was indicted on August 14, 2023, by a Fulton County grand jury as one of 19 defendants in the case State of Georgia v. Donald J. Trump et al., accusing him of participating in a criminal racketeering enterprise aimed at unlawfully overturning Joe Biden's certified victory in Georgia's 2020 presidential election. The indictment, filed by District Attorney Fani Willis under Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act (O.C.G.A. § 16-14-4), alleges Still, as a Republican presidential elector nominee and former Georgia Republican Party finance chairman, engaged in a conspiracy involving false statements, forgery, and impersonation to falsely claim electoral votes for Donald Trump. Still faced seven felony counts in the original indictment: one count of (Count 1), two counts of in the first degree (Counts 6 and 7), one count of in the second degree (Count 8), impersonating a public officer (Count 9), two counts of and writings (Counts 21 and 22), and filing false documents (Count 32). Specific allegations center on his actions on , 2020—the date Democratic electors cast votes for Biden—when Still and 15 other Republican electors gathered at the Georgia Capitol in , falsely signed a certificate asserting Trump and received Georgia's 16 electoral votes, and transmitted copies to the , Pence, and congressional leaders. The document, styled to mimic an official certificate, declared the signatories as "duly elected and qualified Electors" despite Biden's certification by Governor on November 19, 2020, and the U.S. Supreme Court's rejection of related Trump campaign lawsuits. Prosecutors alleged these acts constituted predicate offenses under RICO, including for creating and signing the misleading certificate (intended to deceive federal authorities) and false statements for claiming authority as electors without legal basis, as Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 21-2-501) reserves elector selection for the popular vote winner. Still's involvement is framed within a broader enterprise pattern, linking to other defendants' efforts like pressuring officials and recruiting fake electors, though his charges focus primarily on the elector scheme rather than direct communication with Trump or state officials. The indictment specifies the certificate's language omitted any contingency on pending litigation, presenting it as absolute, which prosecutors claim was designed to create "an alternate reality of non-existent electoral votes."

Defense Strategies and Case Status as of 2025

Shawn Still's defense team has argued that the alternate electors' certificate was a conditional document intended to preserve legal options should courts overturn Joe Biden's certified victory in Georgia, drawing on historical precedents where slates of electors were prepared amid disputed elections, such as in 1960. This strategy posits that the actions lacked criminal intent, as they followed advice from legal counsel and mirrored contingency plans endorsed by Republican National Committee officials, rather than constituting forgery or impersonation of public officers. Still's attorneys have further contended that the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) charges fail to establish a criminal enterprise, emphasizing that the electors' conduct amounted to protected political speech and petitioning of government for redress of grievances under the First Amendment. In pretrial motions, including a plea in bar filed on October 2, 2023, and subsequent challenges, the defense has sought to quash the on grounds that Georgia law does not criminalize the mere signing of a disputed elector certificate absent fraud, and that prosecutorial overreach violates by retroactively criminalizing lawful contingency measures. Efforts to remove the case to federal court, citing Still's involvement in federally protected electoral processes, were rejected by the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in a ruling issued October 24, 2024, which upheld state jurisdiction over the three elector defendants including Still. Additional arguments invoke the , asserting immunity for legislative fact-finding related to election integrity, though courts have narrowed this to non-legislative acts predating Still's term. As of October 2025, the case against Still remains in the pretrial phase with no trial date set, hampered by ongoing appeals and the disqualification of . On September 16, 2025, the Georgia Supreme Court declined to review an appeals court decision barring Willis from prosecuting due to conflicts of interest, necessitating the appointment of a special , a process that has introduced further delays amid searches for a suitable replacement. While some RICO predicate acts have been dismissed against other defendants, Still faces intact charges of RICO , , and false statements, with pretrial hearings continuing on motions to sever trials and suppress evidence. Still, who secured re-election to the in November 2024, has publicly maintained his innocence, framing the prosecution as politically motivated retribution.

Reception and Ongoing Impact

Political Support and Achievements

Still secured election to the Georgia State Senate's District 48 in the November 8, 2022, general , defeating Democratic opponent Josh Uddin by receiving 41,464 votes to Uddin's 31,635, or 56.7% of the total. He was sworn in for the term beginning January 2023. Still won re-election on November 5, 2024, defeating Democratic challenger Ashwin Ramaswami in a competitive race conducted amid his ongoing related to 2020 election activities. Among his legislative priorities, Still co-authored Senate Bill 233, the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, which creates state-funded promise scholarship accounts offering $6,500 annually to eligible students from underperforming public schools to support private or options; the bill was signed into law by Governor on April 23, 2024, as part of a broader package. He also backed efforts to accelerate Georgia's income tax rate reduction from 5.49% to 5.39%, enacted through House Bill 1015 in 2024, which Still has described as facilitating the state's largest tax cut in history. Still has garnered support from conservative and community-specific groups. The Veterans for America First Georgia State Chapter endorsed him in 2024, emphasizing his alignment with principles despite legal scrutiny. The Hindus of Georgia Political Action Committee (HIPAC) provided an endorsement citing his commitments to improving community relations and policy issues affecting Hindu Georgians. Frontline Policy Action, a group promoting biblical values in governance, has backed Still for his stances opposing abortion and affirming traditional family policies.

Criticisms from Opponents

Democratic opponents and advocacy groups have accused Georgia State Senator of attempting to subvert the 2020 presidential election results through his role in organizing and signing a certificate as an alternate elector falsely claiming won Georgia's electoral votes. These critics, including Fulton County District Attorney in the August 14, 2023, , allege Still's actions constituted under Georgia's RICO statute, to commit , and impersonating a public officer by declaring himself an elector despite Joe Biden's certified victory in the state by 11,779 votes. In his 2024 reelection campaign for Senate District 48, Democratic challenger Ashwin Ramaswami has repeatedly highlighted Still's , arguing that the senator is "too distracted" by ongoing legal battles to effectively govern and represent constituents on issues like and . Ramaswami's campaign has framed Still's elector involvement as disqualifying, portraying it as part of a broader effort to erode democratic norms, and has raised funds nationally by emphasizing the race as an opportunity to hold accountable those accused of election interference. Nonpartisan election integrity groups such as All Voting is Local have called for Still's removal from office following his , asserting in a September 2023 letter to that elected officials facing such charges undermine public trust in democratic institutions. Critics from these quarters contend that Still's continued service, despite pretrial motions hearings as recent as May 29, 2024, where prosecutors defended the charges' applicability to alternate elector activities, exemplifies a failure to prioritize accountability over partisan loyalty.

References

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