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 Senate District 34
How does your background equip you for the job you are seeking?
I served on the Forest Park (born and raised) City Council for 5 years. I am not a career politician, I was a business person and have vast/varied experience in the real world.
What role should government have in the lives of Georgians? How would you apply that philosophy to the job you are seeking?
The role of government should be to go about the business of the State of Georgia without infringing on the individual rights of the Citizens. I pledge to never cast a yes vote on any item that limits liberty and freedom of our constituents.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what problems will you spend the most time solving and why?
Crime is one of my main priorities. Citizens should not have to live in fear. Acting in a fiscally responsible manner is also what we as public servants should keep at the forefront of decisions that are being made after all it is the stakeholders money and we must be good stewards in how it is spent.
Georgia is a politically diverse state. How will you work to represent Georgians whose political views differ from your own?
Although we have to declare a political party when running I will never consider a constituent’s party when they come to me as the representative in Senate District 34. Everyone deserves equal representation. I believe in people over politics.
Who has been the biggest influence on how you view state government and politics? What have you learned from this person?
My grandmother was my biggest influence in government and politics in general. She served in many volunteer positions and taught me that having a servant heart, being fair minded, and treating every person the way I want to be treated are the qualities it takes to be a great leader.
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?
This is a very complex issue with many facets. In order to attain housing affordable or otherwise there must be jobs available. I would work through legislation to keep Georgia business friendly so we can increase the number of jobs available.
Politics is often about compromise. How do you decide when to compromise and take small, incremental wins, and when to refuse compromise?
When an issue is at hand that I have negligible differences about I would be willing to work with other lawmakers and make compromises for the greater good. Where I will never compromise is when an issue adversely marginalizes any Citizen or group of Citizens. This is when I will certainly stand my ground.
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 do know there are issues in elections. This is nothing new in any state not just Georgia. However, I believe honest efforts are made to keep our elections secure and I will/have stand/stood 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. If elected, how will you use your authority in the state Senate to influence abortion access or enforcement of abortion restrictions?
Choose not to answer at this time.
Are there any programs/legislation you’ve sponsored or created to help people with disabilities?
Only at a municipal level while on the City Council. This is something that is mostly handled at state and federal levels. Once elected I would definitely advocate to assist the disabled citizens as much as possible.
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 Georgians keep as much as possible in their pockets. I would go sparingly on taxes and spend responsibly. I have no budget items in mind at this point but would definitely listen to my constituents as needs arise.
The Legislature often votes along party lines. When would you seek bipartisan action and what issues merit such consensus?
I am always willing to work with anyone for the greater good. All issues are on the table for negotiation as long as they are fair and reasonable. As I have stated before people over politics.