35. Sam Olens

1597
Illustration by Alex Fine
Illustration by Alex Fine

Focus Politics, Law
Age 58
Since taking office in 2011, Georgia’s state attorney general has stepped up prosecution of sex traffickers, and called for stricter regulation of “pill mills” to reduce prescription drug abuse. This past June, Georgia stood out among red states for its seamless transition on same-sex marriage after Olens warned local magistrates to obey the Supreme Court’s ruling. Olens, however, has been criticized for joining the unsuccessful effort to dismantle the Affordable Care Act and for overlooking Governor Deal’s alleged interference with the State Ethics Commission.

Looking upward Olens is considered a likely candidate to run for governor in 2018.

Back to Atlanta’s 55 Most Powerful

This article originally appeared in our October 2015 issue.

Advertisement