A Mansfield Native, Marine Captain, and Mission-Driven Attorney Steps Forward to Serve

On this special Veterans Day edition of The Town Square Podcast, host Trey Bailey sits down with Captain Bret Dunn, a Newton County native whose life story reads like a roadmap of service, faith, and conviction. Dunn grew up between Oak Hill and Mansfield, graduated from Alcovy High School in 2013, earned his law degree from Mercer University, and went on to serve as a U.S. Marine Corps officer—eventually becoming a defense counsel at Parris Island.

Now a partner at Strauss & Dunn Law Firm and the Republican candidate for Georgia Senate District 42, Capt. Dunn brings his military discipline, courtroom experience, and faith-driven values into a new kind of battlefield: public service.

In this hour-long conversation, Trey and Bret explore his journey from Mansfield to Quantico, from defending Marines to defending Georgians, and from carrying a rifle to carrying a calling. The uniform may be off, but as he says, “the mission is still the same.”

Growing Up Southern Strong

Bret Dunn’s story begins in Mansfield, Georgia—a “Mayberry-style” small town where neighbors wave, manners matter, and your reputation follows you through every front porch.

Raised between his mother’s home in Mansfield and his father’s house in the Oak Hill area, Bret learned discipline early. His father, Jackie Dunn, served as a Marine before spending 37 years as a police captain in Conyers. The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor symbol was a constant presence in their home, as was the sound of “Yes sir” and “No ma’am.”

“Those little things—manners, respect, accountability—laid the foundation for something much bigger,” Bret recalls. “You didn’t say yeah or nah in my house. You said yes sir or no sir.”

A proud product of the Newton County School System, Bret attended Oak Hill Elementary, Veterans Middle, and graduated from Alcovy High School’s Class of 2013. His formative years in Newton County shaped his work ethic and small-town values—qualities he says have never left him, even as his path took him into some of the world’s toughest environments.

Answering the Call: From Mercer to the Marines

Like many who grow up under the shadow of the American flag, Bret knew service was in his future—but he wasn’t always sure how.

After earning his undergraduate degree from Georgia State University, he felt a tug toward military service. Yet when he first tried to enter the Marine Corps in 2015, the timing wasn’t right. Fitness and recruitment standards were high amid federal budget cuts, and Bret found himself temporarily shut out.

But as he says, “Every time I tried to do something that God didn’t want me to do, I failed at it.”

Instead, a Marine Corps officer encouraged him to consider law. That conversation changed everything. Bret enrolled at Mercer University’s School of Law in Macon, joining a long line of “Bears” who have shaped Georgia’s judiciary—including Judge Sammy Ozburn, Judge John Ott, and former Governor Nathan Deal.

Between his second and third year of law school, Bret entered Officer Candidate School at Marine Corps Base Quantico. On June 1, 2019, he stepped onto the famous yellow footprints that have tested generations of Marines. Ten weeks later, he earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant.

“I came home from Quantico on a Saturday,” he remembers, “and by Monday morning, I was back in evidence class at Mercer. One day I’m doing pushups in the Virginia humidity; two days later I’m highlighting case law.”

After passing the Georgia Bar Exam on his first try, Bret received orders to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, where he would serve as a Defense Counsel—representing Marines in courts-martial, administrative hearings, and boards of inquiry. Over time, he rose to the rank of Captain, blending his love of justice with the Marine ethos of “Semper Fidelis”—Always Faithful.

Veterans Day: Honoring Service and Sacrifice

It’s fitting that Episode 64 airs on Veterans Day, a holiday that carries deep meaning for Capt. Dunn.

“Memorial Day is for those who gave their lives,” he says. “Veterans Day is for those who served and came home. The best thing anyone can do for a veteran is to simply say thank you—and to pray for them.”

Bret speaks candidly about the invisible wounds of war, about the friends who came home from Iraq and Afghanistan only to struggle with loss and disillusionment.

“There are folks right here in our community who are still hurting,” he says. “A simple thank you might be what keeps them going another day.”

From Court Martial to Courtroom: A Calling to Defend

Today, Capt. Dunn wears a different kind of uniform: a suit and tie. But his mission remains the same.

At Strauss & Dunn Law Firm, he represents clients in criminal and civil cases throughout Georgia—and still defends service members when called upon.

“When King Nebuchadnezzar looked into the fiery furnace and saw a fourth man, that’s how I see my job,” Bret says. “When someone’s in trouble, I’m that fourth man standing beside them.”

For Dunn, law isn’t just a career; it’s a calling.

“My goal is always to return someone to society better than I found them. Sometimes I represent people who are innocent, and that’s terrifying. Other times they’ve made mistakes and need redemption. Either way, my duty is the same—to defend, to guide, and to point them toward Christ.”

Faith and Humility: The Foundation for Leadership

When Trey asks how his Marine Corps experience and faith intersect with politics, Bret answers without hesitation: “The greatest leader who ever lived was Jesus Christ.”

He tells the story of Christ washing the disciples’ feet in the upper room—a picture of servant leadership that shaped his understanding of public service.

“Jesus wasn’t about titles; He was about towels,” Bret says. “If you want to lead, you have to serve first.”

The Marine Corps taught him humility—a trait he calls his “secret weapon.” He’s learned to let opponents underestimate him and to rely on grace rather than ego.

“I don’t need to be called ‘Senator’ or ‘Captain,’” he laughs. “Just call me Bret.”

District 42: A Cross-Section of Georgia

Georgia’s Senate District 42 covers most of Newton County, all of Morgan County, and portions of Walton and Henry counties—including Mansfield, Covington, Social Circle, and the Ola-McDonough corridor.

It’s a district that mirrors the state’s mix of rural values and suburban growth—what Bret calls “a real cross-section of Georgia.”

He’s quick to note that while the new district leans conservative, his campaign is about serving everyone, not just Republicans.

“I’m here to serve God’s people,” he says. “Those folks aren’t all Republican—and that’s fine. I’ll listen to anyone who loves this community and wants to make it better.”

Bret envisions bringing together law-enforcement leaders from each county—Democrat and Republican alike—to strengthen public safety and share resources.

“Safety isn’t partisan,” he insists. “Everybody deserves to live in a place that’s safe.”

Back the Blue – and Lead with Courage

With a father who spent nearly four decades in law enforcement, Bret’s respect for police officers runs deep. He still wears a Back the Blue bracelet every day—not for show, but as a reminder of his mission.

“I wear it so I never forget who I’m fighting for,” he says. “These men and women go to work every day not knowing if they’ll come home. The least we can do is have their back.”

He points to Georgia Senator Brian Strickland’s pending bill to expand workers’-comp benefits for officers injured in the line of duty, calling it “the kind of common-sense legislation we need more of.”

“An officer like Matt Cooper shouldn’t have to fight through red tape after being shot in the line of duty,” Bret says. “Government should take care of those who take care of us.”

Faith in the Public Square

Throughout the conversation, Bret returns repeatedly to one theme: faith belongs in the public square.

“For too long, the church sat on the sidelines,” he says. “When Christians stepped back, culture filled the void. It’s time for believers to engage again—with grace, conviction, and courage.”

He quotes the Georgia Constitution’s preamble, which acknowledges “the providence of Almighty God,” and argues that America’s strength has always been rooted in Judeo-Christian values.

“Dads should be priests in their homes,” he says. “If fathers lead with faith, families get stronger—and when families get stronger, communities thrive.”

Family First: Raising Jack in a Better World

Bret and his wife Kennedy recently welcomed their first child, Jack—a life-changing blessing that gives new urgency to his sense of mission.

“People always tell you your life will change when you have a kid,” he smiles. “But until you hold that baby, you can’t understand it. Now I wake up every day thinking, ‘What kind of world am I leaving for Jack?’”

That question fuels his campaign. For Dunn, the fight for faith, family, and freedom isn’t abstract—it’s personal.

“We can’t just focus on the next life,” he says. “God gave us dominion here, too. We’re called to make this world better.”

Standing for Life, Family, and Freedom

As the conversation deepens, Bret doesn’t shy away from controversial issues. His convictions are clear:

• Pro-Life: “As long as babies are being murdered in this country, I’ve got a mission,” he declares. He identifies as an abolitionist, supporting legal protections for the unborn with exceptions only for the health of the mother.
• Strengthening Families: Dunn calls fatherlessness “a crisis in America” and advocates for family-court reforms that treat mothers and fathers equally. “We need a presumption of joint custody,” he says. “Kids need both parents.”
• Opposing DEI Mandates: Drawing from his Marine Corps experience, Bret critiques “diversity, equity, and inclusion” policies that he says prioritize ideology over merit. “We’re fixing things that aren’t broken,” he argues. “Merit matters.”
• Protecting Parental Rights: He supports legislation allowing parents to opt their children out of school curricula involving gender ideology or other sensitive content. “Parents—not bureaucrats—should decide what their kids are exposed to.”
• Defending the Second Amendment: As a Marine and gun-rights advocate, Bret sees the right to bear arms as a safeguard against tyranny. “The Second Amendment wasn’t written for hunters,” he explains. “It’s there to keep government in check.”

These aren’t talking points; they’re convictions forged through experience—in uniform, in courtrooms, and in prayer.

“Before I cast any vote,” he promises, “I’ll consult with God Almighty first.”

Hope and Revival in District 42

Despite his concerns about moral decay and political division, Capt. Dunn sees reason for hope.

“Since September 10th, when Charlie Kirk was murdered, I’ve seen more young men coming back to church than ever before,” he says. “There’s a revival sweeping this country.”

He points to a new generation of civic and spiritual leaders in the region—sheriffs like Keith Brooks in Walton County and Tyler Hooks in Morgan County, and commissioners like LeAnne Long and Stan Edwards in Newton County—who, he says, “have the backbone to stand up for what’s right.”

He applauds Newton County’s data-center oversight and praises the Newton County School System for its new Workforce Development Framework, which introduces career readiness as early as kindergarten.

“Not everybody needs college,” he notes. “We need welders, electricians, and truck drivers. Teaching real-world skills is the halftime adjustment Georgia needed.”

A Campaign Rooted in Gratitude

As endorsements pour in from veterans, sheriffs, and district attorneys, Bret remains grounded.

“I don’t like to use the word ‘proud,’” he says. “I’m thankful. Every relationship is a blessing, and every door God opens is one I want to walk through faithfully.”

He references his ever-present “Bret’s Maxims” notebook, filled with lessons and quotes collected along the way. One entry sums up his philosophy:

“The principles you live by will determine the world you live in.”

When he took off the Marine uniform in 2024, Bret wondered what came next. But as he prayed, he says God made it clear: this was his next mission.

“When God shuts a door, don’t crawl through a window,” he laughs. “He opened this one, and I’m walking through it.”

The Mission Continues

As the conversation closes, Trey Bailey thanks Bret for his service—both military and civic—and for the way his faith guides his leadership.

“You can tell your values just bleed out of you,” Trey says. “They’re impossible to hide.”

Bret smiles. “The uniform came off,” he says, “but the mission is the same—to glorify God, serve people, and leave this community better than I found it.”

For listeners across Newton County and beyond, it’s a reminder that true leadership doesn’t begin in the Capitol—it begins at home, with humility, conviction, and a servant’s heart.

Where to Learn More and Connect

To learn more about Capt. Bret Dunn’s campaign for Georgia Senate District 42, visit

👉 DunnForGeorgia.com

Follow him on social media:

• Facebook – @DunnForGeorgia
• Instagram – @BretDunnGA

And listen to the full episode of The Town Square Podcast on

🎧 TheTownSquarePodcast.com | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

Sponsors & Community Partners

This episode of The Town Square Podcast is brought to you by three incredible partners who share our mission to build a better Newton County:

1. Luther Rice College & Seminary - Equipping men and women to minister with excellence since 1962.
2. RE/MAX Around Atlanta - Your trusted local experts for buying or selling homes throughout Newton County and beyond.
3. Appalachia Group Insurance - Protecting what matters most with personal and business coverage tailored to your needs.

Closing Thought

Capt. Bret Dunn embodies the very ideals The Town Square Podcast seeks to highlight—faithful service, moral courage, and love of community. From the courtroom to the campaign trail, his life testifies that honor, humility, and hope still matter.

This Veterans Day, and every day, may we remember that leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about towels. And for Capt. Bret Dunn, both in uniform and out, the towel of service is still in his hands.