Every morning before the Georgia General Assembly convenes during the winter months, Phil Lunney commutes from Roswell to the Georgia State Capitol. He eats his breakfast at the capitol’s cafeteria at 8 a.m. and then stands outside greeting visitors, politicians and lobbyists from 9 to 10 a.m.
Lunney spends the next few hours walking the hallways saying hello to both Republican and Democrat representatives and senators.
“I say hello to everyone because I want to have the lines open,” Lunney said. “We may not know each other personally but he knows that I greet him every day.”
Lunney is the self-appointed legislative liaison. This is a role he gave himself after a group of volunteer greeters stopped showing up post Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, Lunney stands at the public entrance welcoming visitors and making sure the line moves along swiftly.
Lunney is 76 years old and a native of Philadelphia. He moved to Atlanta with his family in 1986. He is a passionate Democrat, but when he stands on the capitol’s steps, he is a proud Georgian and non-partisan.
Each morning, he stands at the public entrance with a smile and warm greeting.
Away from the capitol, Lunney is active with Fulton County Democrats. He writes legislative proposals for Democratic representatives showing them what may be achievable during each session.
“You want to find someone who is on your committee, because they may not be your representative but if it’s somebody who leans your way and they’re in the committee…you may just have something,” said Phil Lunney. “I like to give them a few ideas.”
Everyone who walks into the Gold Dome can count on seeing Lunney rain or shine.
“This is a unique thing,” said Larry Pellegrini, lobbyist. “He keeps it up just about in any kind of weather and is someone who thought it was a unique way for other people to start their day.”
Others said it’s just nice to see a smiling face before they start the daily work grind.
“These are very stressful times…it’s always good to see him because he’s kind, soft spoken, and he’s just a wonderful person,” said Rep. Karla Drenner (D) from Avondale Estates.
Lunney became politically active in 1968. He was 20 years old and campaigning for Democratic presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy. Shortly after, he graduated from Villanova University and began working at a record store selling tickets for the August 1969 Woodstock concert in Bethel, New York.
Nearly four decades later in 2007 when Barack Obama announced his presidential campaign, Lunney began working the campaign while selling Smart Boards (Wi-Fi connected marker boards) to schools in Georgia. He had the opportunity to speak with some of the most educated people in the state, something that he speaks about with pride.
When former president Barack Obama called for universal healthcare during his 2007 campaign, Lunney knew it was time to get involved again in the political process. Universal healthcare is one of Lunney’s passions.
“It’s 2007, Obama goes to the steps of Illinois and says I’m running for president, universal healthcare, and boom…that’s it,” Lunney said.
In 2016, Lunney did data entry for Hillary Clinton’s campaign in Georgia. During the 2024 election, Lunney was a driver for the Biden Harris campaign. When Jill Biden came into Atlanta, Lunney drove in her motorcade.
When the Georgia General Assembly is not in session Lunney spends his time traveling with his wife. They have traveled to all 50 states.
“My favorite state is wherever I am,” said Lunney.
