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: Agriculture Commissioner
What role should government have in the lives of Georgians? How would you apply that philosophy to the job you are seeking?
Government’s role in our lives should be limited and not expanded. The main plank of my campaign is “cannabis is agriculture.” When this is accepted our law enforcement can focus on real crimes and our legislators can focus on what their constituents want. Georgians will benefit from an increased tax base, health benefits and an overall improved attitude.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what problems will you spend the most time solving and why?
Ensuring the legislators write and vote on sensible cannabis legislation that includes adult use and full implementation of industrial cannabis/hemp.
Georgia is a politically diverse state. How will you work to represent Georgians whose political views differ from your own?
I only have Georgians best interest in mind because I have accepted no money from lobbyists or any out of state money. All my decisions will be based on what best serves Georgians. Special interest groups will need to start their proposals with how this will serve all the people of our state. This should draw all people together not divide us over issues.
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 stand by the past election results but understand every election contains some level of fraud and we should try to minimize that wherever we see failures from past elections. I do not agree with mailing out unsolicited ballots or allowing voting without identification.
Who has been the biggest influence on how you view state government and politics? What have you learned from this person?
Wendell Berry (poet, novelist, environmentalist), because his soft-spoken style and knowledgeable delivery gave me the power to say and do what I can to improve the environment.
Politics is often about compromise. How do you decide when to compromise and take small, incremental wins, and when to refuse compromise?
Being that I am promising to complete one major project, my goals and objectives are known. Everybody will understand how our goals are common and where they differ. I plan on being open to working with every legislator. The only issue is their lobbyists aren’t mine since I don’t have any special interest groups to answer to.
As Agriculture Commissioner, you will have an opportunity to work closely with the federal government on policy. If elected, how will you use your authority as commissioner to influence federal policy and decisions?
I want to ensure that Family farms are protected and receive the same protection large farms receive. I would like to see limitations on International land purchases that could disrupt stability of our food supply.