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 110

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

As an information technology and engineering professional, I hope to bring innovative ideas to the legislature that will create more job opportunities in the science and technology Industries. As an educator, I will support common sense legislation and increased funding for public schools. As an advocate I will advocate for more legislation that promotes equity and a better quality of life for all residents in Georgia. I believe as a legislator engaging the community is important and providing communication that will keep them informed.

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

The government should provide legislation that will provide an improved quality of life for the people of Georgia. I will hold town hall meetings and have a medium to communicate to the constituents in my district. Ialways weigh carefully the benefits and drawbacks of potential legislation to prevent government becoming too intrusive in our lives.

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

I will spend time on making sure we have legislation addressing voting rights by providing all eligible Georgians access to a equitable, efficient and secure voting process. I want to protect reproductive choice in Georgia and ensure women have their rights respected. I will also spend time in making sure our children, upon graduating from high school, have the skills that will make them employable and create an environment to encourage companies to invest in Georgia by provide more job opportunities. I want to expand Medicaid to lower the cost of health care and protect our hospital system, and work on providing tax relief for Georgians.

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

I will always inform voters in my district on my voting position and will be open to listening to differing opinions. I believe that a representative should consider the viewpoints of everyone in their district and be open to input and criticism, rather than solely catering to those who are in agreement with my personal views.

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

No one person has influenced me in my view on state government and politics. Several people have impacted my views based on the growth of this country and the impact and change on diversity. Being an immigrant I know a democracy is the best governance for equity and rights for all, while its not perfect but it provides everyone an opportunity to voice their opinion with a vote.

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?

As a state legislator I will work with organizations who are solution providers in providing affordable housing alternatives. This will include better financing options and variety in all communities. We must work with state and local leaders, and those in the housing industry in order to promote market based housing solutions that meet the needs of our communities and our workforce. We also must work to lower property taxes to prevent existing homeowners and renters from being priced out of their residences.

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

I will not compromise on issues that put the rights of Georgians in harms way. I would look at opportunities that will provide additional funding for our public schools, expand access to health care, including mental healt hcare and substance abuse treatment and legislation that makes Georgia’s economy stronger and helps our small businesses as examples of areas where small, incremental wins are possible. I would also like to see legislation that addresses the rising cost of higher education and the housing crisis.

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 believe that Georgia’s elections are secure and that the results of 2018 and 2020 were accurate and reliable. Questioning outcomes of elections without valid evidence and spreading conspiracy theories damages our democracy and undermines public trust in the voting process. I am confident the 2022 results will also be reliable and will respect 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 will advocate to protect women’s reproductive rights. The Roe v. Wade decision has triggered a ban on abortion in Georgia that puts women’s lives at risk and takes away fundamental freedoms for women. I support legislation that will protect access to reproductive health care and preserve choice.

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

I will support legislation that supports funding for programs that will increase employment, promote nondiscrimination on the basis of disability, and increase in public accommodations. I also want to support legislation that helps disabled children and their families.

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?

Increased funding for education, health care, infrastructure and solutions to end traffic gridlock would be ideal, including increasing teacher pay. I would also like to see a significant tax rebate for working and middle class Georgians. We are currently facing a rising cost of living and providing tax relief would go a long way towards helping push back against the inflation crisis.

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

I will always look for bipartisan action and work to a consensus on all bills I vote on. I do not believe that legislatures should operate in a solely partisan manner. I want to work with any legislature or stakeholder that is trying to help our state and make life better.