Who I am, what I do, and how I approach public service.
Questions are a great way to get to know someone. Here are a few that I get asked a lot. If you have one that isn't listed, let me know!
I'm not especially ideological, but ours is a two party system by design. That's not just my perspective, its political science 101. In a first-past-the-post, winner-take-all system it is nearly impossible for a viable 3rd (or 4th or 5th) party to emerge. In the two party system we have today, you are either a Republican or a Democrat. Or you are irrelevant.
I cannot be a Republican. I would never get elected as a Republican because in order to win a Republican primary these days, you have to pledge fealty and loyalty to one extremely flawed human being. Process of elimination leaves one option. For someone like me, who wants to get into politics for the right reasons, the only viable option is to run as a Democrat.
That said, the facts show that the Democratic party has a far better track record delivering for the people, the nation does better under Democratic leadership, and that most of the time (though not all of the time), the Democratic party represents my values far more consistently than the other party. So I am a Democrat out of necessity, but also because the Democratic party, as flawed as it may be, represents a clearer path to propserity for more people.
Not at all. I have a LOT of other things to keep me busy. At 50 years old, I am currently serving my first year in elected office... ever.
I look forward to a future where government is focused on delivering for the people, leading to less division and animosity between neighbors. When that day comes, I'll be more than happy to retire from politics and do something else with my time.
I have two jobs outside the legislature:
The one that pays the bills is the head of Product Management for a small insurance tech startup called Assurified, Inc. We are working on a technology platform that helps streamline insurance and risk management strategies for the commercial real estate industry. I have spent over 25 years working in tech, from startups to Fortune 500 companies.
The one that is a lot more fun is that I own The Olive Basket, a gourmet food store specializing in olive oils and balsamic vinegars, currently located on Clayton St. in downtown Athens. Truth be told, these days I do the books and oversight, but my daugher runs the store day-to-day while she attends the University of Georgia.
I have a son too, but he isn't as involved with the store. He attends UNG in Watkinsville.
I start with what is objectively true. Not what my chosen news source or favorite pundit says, but with primary sources and what is undeniably true. Then I apply logic and reason, and listen to arguments from each side.
When voting, I am constantly on the lookout for the two biggest mistakes that legislative bodies make all the time: unintended consequences and unfunded mandates. Those are an automatic "no" for me.
When making the decision to vote, I try to
I also never "take a walk" and skip out on difficult votes. It is my duty to vote yes or no on any bill before the House.
I chose to run because I didn't like the way the country or the state of Georgia was going, and I thought I might have some fresh ideas. Too often when I see political debates, I am frustrated because I believe the framing of the issue is all wrong. We need new ideas, fresh perspectives, and more people who are in it for the right reasons.
I am also taking a stand against the intense partisanship that we see today because I believe that it does not have to be this way. Politics and our government have become too tribal and too polarized. I still believe in a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, and I want to try my best to make it a reality.
Yes!
I'm kidding. Of course not. I can't think of a single person on the planet that I agree with on everything.
I appreciate and value opinions from all kinds of people, even those that I may not agree with. I enjoy hearing all perspectives, and I will even change my mind in the face of a convincing argument. None of us are experts in every field and I am always excited to learn something new.
