Michael A. "Doc" Rhett (born December 30, 1956) is an American politician and a member of the Democratic Party. He has served as a Georgia State Senator representing the 33rd District since January 2015.
Early Life and Education Rhett was born in New York City, New York, and grew up in Harlem. He graduated from Bishop Dubois High School. He holds an Associate's degree in Administrative Management from the Community College of the Air Force, a Bachelor's degree in Communications and Afro-American Studies from the State University of New York at Albany, a Master's degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Oklahoma, an Education Specialist degree (EdS) from Georgia State University, and a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Georgia.
Military Service Rhett served 25 years in the United States Air Force, retiring at the rank of Master Sergeant. During his service, he managed personnel, served as a technical training instructor, and worked as a leadership training development supervisor for the C-130 cargo plane pilots and navigators school. He received the United States Air Force Meritorious Service Medal.
Political Career Rhett was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 2014, succeeding Steve Thompson. He represents the 33rd Senate District, which includes portions of Cobb County, including parts of Marietta and Powder Springs. He is the first African American resident elected to the state Senate from Cobb County.
His committee assignments have included the Senate Committees on Finance, Judiciary, Reapportionment and Redistricting, Regulated Industries and Utilities, and Rules.
Legislative Work Among the legislation Rhett has sponsored or supported are bills related to providing inmates with identification upon release (SB 218), allowing local governments to petition for banking improvement zones (SB 20), enabling voluntary tax contributions for service-disabled veterans (SB 87), protecting law enforcement from liability when rescuing children or pets from hot cars (SB 31), requiring insurance coverage for diagnostic breast exams (SB 487), and prohibiting discrimination against blind individuals in child custody cases (HB 79).
Other Work In his civilian career, Rhett has worked as a Vocational, Educational and Instructional Coordinator at Jefferson Place and City of Refuge in Atlanta, organizations serving homeless and battered individuals. He has also worked as an Adult Education Instructor for the Cobb County School System, teaching adult literacy, English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL), and GED exam preparation classes. He has served as Junior Vice Commander and Historian for American Legion Post 296 in Marietta, Georgia.
Recognition Rhett has been named Democratic Legislator of the Year by the Cobb County Democrats and Environment Georgia Environmental Legislator of the Year for Cobb County.
