The responses to these questions were edited for length and clarity by the Georgia Decides team. Each candidate was allotted 150 words for each answer and some answers were trimmed in order to abide by that length requirement. Other edits were made to make sure readers can fully follow and understand the candidate responses.
Campaigning for: State House District 91
How does your background equip you for the job you are seeking?
I am the current represenitive for House District 90. Because of redistricting, I am the perfect fit for for House District 91.
What role should government have in the lives of Georgians? How would you apply that philosophy to the job you are seeking?
The only role for government in the personal lives of people is to listen to what they want.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what problems will you spend the most time solving and why?
Housing, education and health care for our seniors, homeowners and our youth.
Georgia is a politically diverse state. How will you work to represent Georgians whose political views differ from your own?
I trust that my views as a resident reflect those in my district. In that, there is no partisanship.
Who has been the biggest influence on how you view state government and politics? What have you learned from this person?
Teens. They have reminded me of how convoluted things can be. If we just make things fair for everyone, work together and listen to one another, the world could be better for all. Just equate the big things to a 5th grade level. And yes, this does work.
Georgia has a lot to offer current and potential residents, but many parts of the state are becoming increasingly unaffordable. Please explain your proposed approach to address housing affordability through legislation and executive actions?
I will support any legislation that will help reduce and or sustain housing costs to an affordable stance and guide our government programs to work for all Georgians. The expansion of Medicaid would positively help the economy.
Politics is often about compromise. How do you decide when to compromise and take small, incremental wins, and when to refuse compromise?
Leaving my personal feeling out of any negotiation and when it makes sense for all people — not just a select few or group.
There were politicians who questioned the outcomes of Georgia elections in 2018 and 2020. Do you think Georgia’s elections are secure and will you stand by the results?
I trust that the results were correct, given the wide margin. I believe we could do so much more for the sake of democracy and its security in that department.
In light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on abortion, state law and local enforcement authority will determine access to abortion.
While many people are against abortion, I believe in a person’s right to choose what happens to their own bodies. I do not feel government has a place in a person’s medical decisions. I will fight to support and protect legislation that will allow any person their right to choose.
Are there any programs/legislation you’ve sponsored or created to help people with disabilities?
My father was disabled and in this, I am a huge supporter for the dignified rights of all disabled persons, young or older. In the 2022 session, I began to develop legislation that will require all home health care aids or attendants to be certified in CPR, which may be necessary to sustain life until paramedics arrive. This is important to babies as well as senior disabled persons.
Georgia closed out its budget year with a “likely record surplus, billions of dollars in federal aid and a growing economy.” Georgia spends more than half of this money on education and health care. What would you want to see in the budget in terms of spending or taxes?
I would like for a larger portion of monies to be set aside for the smaller nonprofit agencies, as are the boots-on- the-ground workers in every community. I’d also like monies for a permeant rental assistance program in Georgia. In addition, I’d like to see more money dedicated to Black and non-white farmers.
The Legislature often votes along party lines. When would you seek bipartisan action and what issues merit such consensus?
Any issues that affect a disadvantage group of people and, when it makes sense and is fair for all people rather than just a select few.