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: Gwinnett County Commission District 2
How does your background equip you for the job you are seeking?
I graduated from Georgia Tech with highest honors with a degree in computer science. I had some of the first websites on the internet and some of the first apps in the App Store. I have won 3 elections and finished the new Commissioner training in record time. I’ve spent the last 4 years forging relationships and doing the work representing the residents of District 2.
What role should government have in the lives of Georgians? How would you apply that philosophy to the job you are seeking?
Government should be there to serve the people in a transparent and accountable manner. My personal goal is to create the most satisfying government experience and to that end I have been implementing changes to make government information easier to obtain. I feel strongly that government should be responsible stewards of taxpayer funds and there are several opportunities to be more efficient particularly in the area of technology infrastructure investments.
If you are elected (or reelected), what problems will you spend the most time solving and why?
Making sure our government is set up to adapt to an ever changing world and an ever increasing pace of technological advancement. We also need to address the rising cost of housing and we need a world-class transit system that is suited to a large suburban area.
Georgia is a politically diverse state. How will you work to represent Georgians whose political views differ from your own?
Potholes aren’t partisan. We have very few issues that are political in nature at the local level. It’s all about listening to and solving the problems of our residents. I have served with republicans and democrats and have had success in dealing with both by finding common ground and focusing on a common vision and goal.
Who has been the biggest influence on how you view government and politics? What have you learned from this person?
I don’t think I could point to a single person who has been the biggest influence on my views of government and politics. My perspective is a culmination of my lived experience, my supportive parents, my volunteer service with the county, and my family, friends, and neighbors.
Politics is often about compromise. How do you decide when to compromise and take small, incremental wins, and when to refuse compromise?
Compromise is great when the difference is merely different approaches to a common goal. Rather than compromise I prefer to synergize and create win-win solutions. But I will not compromise when it comes to our core values or my morals.
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 follow the data and all the data indicates that Georgia has secure elections and I will stand by the results. The true issue is voter suppression is real and so the biggest problem with elections are all the barriers that make it difficult for people to vote.
In light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on abortion, state law and local enforcement authority will determine access to abortion. If elected, how will you use your authority to influence abortion access or enforcement of abortion restrictions?
I believe in women’s right to bodily autonomy and believe all people have the right to healthcare. I will do anything I can to ensure doctors are protected from prosecution simply for doing their job in providing the best care for their patient. Our maternal mortality is one of the highest in the nation and that needs to be addressed. I do not believe government should be forcing medical decisions on people.