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 80

How does your background equip you for the job you are seeking?

My background includes being a small business owner, a father with kids in public school, a dad who needs senior care, and a neighbor who sees parts of his community struggling day by day. I believe my perspective and experiences provides insight into how government can uplift communities out of poverty, create jobs that provide dignity, and invest in our next generation to enter into careers that keep us safe. This will also help us be united as a state as we reduce poverty.

What role should government have in the lives of Georgians? How would you apply that philosophy to the job you are seeking?

As a state representative I believe our role should be one that helps communities and industries flourish, and to be ranked best in the nation in areas such as education and health care outcomes.

If you are elected (or re-elected), what problems will you spend the most time solving and why?

I will focus on modernizing how we fund our schools. I also will look into helping small businesses be created to help meet the needs Georgia has with Hollywood and an emerging electric vehicle manufacturing industry.

Georgia is a politically diverse state. How will you work to represent Georgians whose political views differ from your own?

I would listen and do research to gain other perspectives that would help me represent differing political views. Town halls are a great way to achieve this.

Who has been the biggest influence on how you view state government and politics? What have you learned from this person?

Former President Ronald Reagan was influential in understanding how government works, knowing the importance of immigration and allowing states to be resourceful in creating jobs.

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?

We would need to incentivize builders to build more housing. We also need to fix transportation so that we can expand affordable housing into areas that would keep people close to where they work.

Politics is often about compromise. How do you decide when to compromise and take small, incremental wins, and when to refuse compromise?

Compromise shouldn’t be a bad word. I would refuse to compromise if it hurts families that are already hurting. But I would compromise if it uplifts communities.

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?

Georgia’s elections were secure and, after watching recounts. I stand by the results.

In light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on abortion, state law and local enforcement authority will determine access to abortion.

I would work to minimize the criminalization of women and medical professionals who are trying to save lives through abortion procedures.

Are there any programs/legislation you’ve sponsored or created to help people with disabilities?

No, unfortunately I am not an incumbent, but I have helped to raise funds for families with disabilities.

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 to see Georgia continue to invest in areas that will continue to grow revenue, but also focus on reducing disability waivers and increasing access to technical colleges.

The Legislature often votes along party lines. When would you seek bipartisan action and what issues merit such consensus?

I would seek bipartisan action on every issue. The Georgia Legislature votes together far more often than the public realizes. I would look for bipartisan support on reducing gun violence and reproductive rights.