Married to Medicine star Dr. Heavenly Kimes has entered the political arena as a candidate for Congress.
Kimes, a cosmetic dentist, seeks to unseat Rep. David Scott, the 80-year-old incumbent in Georgia’s 13th congressional district. Kimes previously announced a bid for Georgia State Representative (District 93), but after listening to community leaders and witnessing unmet needs across the district, she has shifted her candidacy to the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Congressman Scott’s service has been important, but these are different times than when he was first elected. 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,” Kimes stated in a press release.
Kimes, 54, competes with ten other Democratic candidates seeking to replace Scott in the majority Black district.
“People are sick of politics as usual,” Kimes told USA TODAY. “They need somebody real, somebody relatable that they can trust in office – somebody that’s not going to leave them once they get in a seat.”
“I grew up in a room with no windows. Y’all saw that on TV, right?” Kimes said, listing healthcare and the economy as reasons for running. “I’ve been on both sides of the coin, I’ve actually had free lunches.”
The Bravo star’s campaign plans to focus on real solutions for working families, small businesses, and underserved communities, bringing her decades of experience in healthcare, entrepreneurship, and mentorship into the halls of Congress.
In a press release, Kimes stated, “Just days before I announced for State House, the One BBB bill was signed. 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.” She continued, “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. 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.”
On her website, Kimes prides herself on not being the typical politician, but rather a passionate and community-first “doctor, an entrepreneur, a wife, and a mother who has built a life and several businesses on a foundation of service, discipline, and a deep understanding of people.”
Kimes has been a cast member on Married to Medicine for 11 seasons and is returning as a “friend of the show” for the currently airing Season 12.
While on the show, she opened an upscale dental practice called Smiles by Dr. Heavenly in Duluth, Georgia, as she raised three kids Damon Jr., Zachary and Alaura with husband Dr. Damon Kimes, of 27 years.