Our Approach

Who We Are

Georgia First is a 501c4 organization committed to preserving and growing the strength and welfare of our state, her people, and our collective future. We are committed to advancing the lives of Georgians by advocating for strong fiscal policies that create a robust middle class, expanding healthcare access and affordability, and standing as a voice above the fray to democracy and elections.

We take a sleeves-up approach in working with our state legislators on these issues – being present at the Capitol, weighing in as a resource, and speaking out as a voice of reason and accountability.

Focus Areas

Our Leadership

Natalie Crawford

Executive Director

Natalie Crawford brings more than two decades of business experience, public service, and issues advocacy to Georgia First. In her role as executive director, she’ll help advance economic opportunity and health outcomes for all Georgians while adhering to “old-school” Republican principles. This includes building strong faith-based and community coalitions, limiting government overreach, promoting fiscal responsibility, and advancing individual liberty.

An unapologetic moderate, Crawford is a native Georgian and lifelong Republican who served two terms on the Habersham County Commission, filling roles as vice-chair and chair. She held top leadership roles in the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, including as vice president of the Group Health Benefits Board of Trustees, and served on the Board of Managers. During her eight years in Habersham, Crawford is credited with helping save the local hospital, increasing county reserves, and leading economic expansion efforts with the creation of the Habersham Partnership for Growth and completed expansion projects for both the airport and a large industrial park.

Despite her significant accomplishments, Crawford lost her third-term election to a Republican challenger who decried her efforts to reach across the divide following her participation in a 2019, bipartisan voting integrity ad with Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams. Crawford’s historically strong positions on local control and unfunded state mandates, along with her belief that voting is the very bedrock of our democracy and it should be accessible, secure, and easy for every eligible voter, were the primary reasons for her bipartisan participation in the ad.

The overall tone of her final local campaign, combined with the continued rhetoric and hyper-partisan attitudes at both the state and national levels, are what bolstered Crawford’s desire to continue serving not just her community but the state of Georgia. That desire is what would ultimately lead her to form Georgia First.

In addition to her public service and private sector work in community banking, she is president and founder of the Evie Peters Foundation, a non-profit serving breast cancer patients and survivors in Northeast Georgia. Crawford’s advocacy record also includes advancing efforts on health care, jobs and the economy, and good government. Crawford graduated from Piedmont University with her BA and MBA. She was selected for the 2020 Georgia Trend Top 40 Under 40 class and most recently was competitively selected to participate in Georgia Forward’s 2022 Young Gamechangers. Crawford currently resides in Hall County with her family.

Heather Breeden

Director of Advocacy & Engagement

Heather Breeden serves as the Director of Advocacy and Engagement for Georgia First, Inc. With more than 20 years of experience in political and legal debates, she enjoys engaging with policy makers in the South. Heather, a United Methodist, attended Young Harris College. She holds a B.A. in English from the University of Georgia and J.D. from Mercer University. Heather is a native Atlantan.