Here, you can learn more about who I am: father, small business owner, a tech guy, and some of the stuff I fill
the rest of my free time with: traveling, working on my old pickup, flying small planes, hanging out with my dog!
I have lived in Georgia House District 121 for over 20 years. I grew up in Georgia, and earned my degree in Biology and Oceanography at the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!).
My career has been in financial services technology, and I currently serve as the Head of Product at an insurance tech startup. Essentially, I lead teams to solve complex problems and build products that help people manage risk in commercial real estate. My much more fun job is being the owner of a local shop that sells olive oils and balsamic vinegars!
Both of my children have grown up.
My son is studying at the University of North Georgia and my daughter is studying at the University of Georgia.
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 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.
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'm not especially ideological, but we live in a two-party system. In a 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. Most of us wish that wasn’t the case, but it is.
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I once felt like I was able to vote on the candidate regardless of their party affiliation. Unfortunately, I feel as though the Republican party has gone down a path that I cannot support. I believe the party has lost sight of its original values: small government, fiscal responsibility, and loyalty to the American people. 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 prosperity 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.
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.
