Randy Zurcher

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Randy Zurcher completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Zurcher's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading-bio-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tWho I Am (And Who I’m Not)\r\n<p>I’m from Spencer, Oklahoma — a small town of just 3,830. I finished high school in even smaller Adair, graduated from John Brown University in Arkansas, served two terms on the Fayetteville City Council, and have called Savannah home since 2003. I’m not a career politician — I’m a husband, father, soccer coach, union rep, and licensed Realtor. Just a regular guy standing up for working people.\r\n</p><p>I’ve always backed the underdog. My only arrest? Trying to save a historic grove of trees in the ’90s. This fight goes way back.\r\n</p><p>I started thinking seriously about this race because I couldn’t stomach what Buddy Carter has done — trying to overturn the 2020 election, turning his back on Capitol Police, and now siding with January 6th insurrectionists. He’s eyeing the Senate, and Republicans will likely run another billionaire-backed MAGA loyalist.\r\n</p><p>Not on my watch.\r\n</p>\nI’m running because it’s time we held this broken system—and those breaking it—accountable. I’ll fight to protect the benefits we’ve earned: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and care for veterans. I’ll stand with working families, defend our rights, and push back against leaders who treat the Constitution like an inconvenience. This fight is personal—for all of us. And I’m ready to get to work.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading-key-message-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Hands Off Our Earned Benefits!\r\nPresident Trump and the GOP gave Elon Musk and his unqualified “DOGE team” unprecedented access to vital institutions—while slashing Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the VA, and public services. Why? To fund tax breaks for billionaires. That’s not reform—it’s betrayal. These programs aren’t bargaining chips. We paid into them with every paycheck. Hands off. If elected, I’ll restore funding, reverse cuts, and ensure professionals—not cronies—run these services. I’ll fight to protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA—because these promises must be kept. The stakes are high. Let’s defend what’s ours.</li><li>Rule of Law: Under Threat\r\nTrump attacked judges, politicized the DOJ, defied oversight, spread election lies, and pardoned allies—all while encouraging lawlessness and punishing whistleblowers. His actions eroded public trust and undermined our democracy.\r\n\r\nAs your Representative, I’ll fight to:\r\n• Strengthen congressional oversight\r\n• Reinforce DOJ independence\r\n• Protect whistleblowers and inspectors general\r\n• Ensure accountability—no one is above the law\r\n• Defend free and fair elections\r\n• Promote civic education\r\n\r\nThe rule of law is not optional—it’s the foundation of our republic. Let’s defend it together.</li><li>Money Out of Our Politics!\r\nOur democracy is under threat from oligarchic control. Corporate PACs, dark money, and billionaire donors drown out everyday Americans. That’s not just unjust—it’s un-American.\r\n\r\nMy Commitment: Get Money Out of Politics\r\nIf elected, I will:\r\n• Ban corporate PACs and dark money\r\n• Support a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United\r\n• Push for publicly funded elections to elevate small-dollar donors\r\n• Enforce real-time transparency in all political donations\r\n• Reform lobbying and close the revolving door in Washington\r\n\r\nIt’s time to put people over profits and return our democracy to the voters.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading1-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am passionate about loss of our earned benefits and the erosion of safety nets that protect our weakest citizens. I am also passionate about the erosion of the rule of law, including masked ICE agents kidnapping people and imprisoning or deporting them without due process. I am passionate about fixing a broken bought-and-paid-for Supreme Court that wants to take away a woman's right to her own body and grant Trump the power of a king. I am passionately against the out in the open graft and corruption the president and his family engage in on a daily basis. I am passionate about getting the money out of politics. Billionaires need to pay their taxes and get out of our government! I passionately believe it is time for a change!\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading2-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tWho I Look Up To — And Why<br/>\n<p>I look up to Representative John Lewis, not just because he was from Georgia, but because he lived his values with courage, humility, and an unshakable sense of justice. He believed in good trouble — and he never forgot who he was fighting for: everyday people.<br/><br/>\r\nLike Lewis, I believe public service is about standing up for the vulnerable, even when it's unpopular or risky. He didn’t serve billionaires or corporate PACs — he served the people. His example reminds me that real leadership means showing up, telling the truth, and never backing down when working families are under attack.<br/><br/>\r\nI also draw inspiration from Bernie Sanders, who has spent his entire career fighting against oligarchy, corporate greed, and a political system rigged against the working class. He’s proof that you can tell the truth, take no corporate money, and still build a powerful movement.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nThese are the examples I want to follow — leaders who believed in dignity, justice, and organizing ordinary people to take on the powerful. Because that’s what it’s going to take to change Georgia’s 1st District — and this country.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading3-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tBook: The People, No by Thomas Frank<br/>\n<p>This is a powerful history of American populism—what it really means, how it's been distorted, and how ordinary people have fought back against elite control. It’s a great lens for understanding my belief in bottom-up politics, not billionaire-backed movements.<br/><br/>\r\nFilm: Matewan (1987, directed by John Sayles)<br/>\r\nThis dramatization of a 1920s coal miners’ strike in West Virginia shows the raw power of labor solidarity and the lengths corporations will go to crush it. It captures the spirit of the “noligarchy” movement I talk about: working people banding together against exploitation.<br/><br/>\r\nEssay: “Economic Inequality” by Bernie Sanders (2020)<br/>\r\nA short but fiery read, this essay lays out the moral and structural dangers of oligarchy in America. It aligns with my stance that concentrated wealth is incompatible with a healthy democracy.<br/><br/>\r\nBook: Democracy in Chains by Nancy MacLean<br/>\r\nThis book exposes the long campaign by libertarian billionaires to undermine democratic institutions in favor of corporate rule. It’s eye-opening and explains a lot about how we got here—and why we need to fight back.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nThese works don’t just inform my politics—they affirm the idea that change starts with organized people, not organized money.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading4-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe most important characteristics and principles for an elected official can be summed up in a few core values:<br/><br/>\n<p>Integrity – An elected official must tell the truth, keep their word, and act in the public’s best interest—even when it’s inconvenient or unpopular. Without integrity, trust breaks down, and democracy suffers.<br/><br/>\r\nAccountability – Public servants must answer to the people they represent. That means being transparent, accessible, and willing to admit when they’re wrong or when something isn’t working.<br/><br/>\r\nCourage – It takes real courage to stand up to powerful interests, to call out corruption, and to vote your conscience—especially when the political winds are blowing the other way.<br/><br/>\r\nEmpathy – Good leaders listen. They don’t just hear from the wealthy or well-connected—they make it a point to hear from working people, the marginalized, the struggling, and the overlooked.<br/><br/>\r\nWork Ethic – Government is not a show or a stepping stone. It’s hard work. An elected official must show up, do their homework, stay engaged, and fight every day for their constituents.<br/><br/>\r\nCommitment to Justice and Equality – Every decision should be guided by the principle that everyone deserves a fair shot, equal protection, and a voice in shaping their future—regardless of race, wealth, gender, or background.<br/><br/>\r\nRespect for Democracy and the Rule of Law – Officials must honor the Constitution, respect the separation of powers, and protect the institutions that safeguard our freedoms—even when those institutions limit their own power.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nUltimately, elected officials should never forget who they work for: the people. Not donors, not lobbyists, not party leaders—the people.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading5-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tWhat Makes Me Ready to Serve<br/>\n<p>I’m not a career politician — I’m a working-class person who knows what it means to live under policies written by and for the rich. That lived experience grounds me in a few key qualities that I believe would make me a successful representative:<br/><br/>\r\nAuthenticity<br/>\r\nI say what I mean, and I don’t sugarcoat the truth. People are tired of spin. They want someone who speaks plainly, honestly, and with conviction.<br/><br/>\r\nAccountability to the People — Not the Powerful<br/>\r\nI’m not taking corporate PAC money. My campaign is powered by working people — and that’s exactly who I’ll answer to in office.<br/><br/>\r\nCourage<br/>\r\nI’m not afraid to confront the oligarchy, challenge the status quo, or take on powerful interests — whether it’s insurance companies, union-busters, or billionaire donors.<br/><br/>\r\nEmpathy<br/>\r\nI’ve listened to people’s struggles, and I’ve lived some of them myself. I’ll bring that perspective into every vote and every fight.<br/><br/>\r\nWork Ethic<br/>\r\nI show up. Whether it’s at protests, town halls, or picket lines, I believe being present and doing the work matters — and I won’t stop once I’m elected.<br/><br/>\r\nOrganizing Mindset<br/>\n</p>\nI don’t believe change comes from the top down — it comes from the bottom up. I’ll use my office not just to vote, but to help organize people, build coalitions, and win real victories.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading6-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe core responsibilities of a U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 1st District are grounded in service, accountability, and advocacy for the people who call this diverse region home.<br/><br/>\n<p>First and foremost, a Representative must be a voice for their constituents. That means listening—not just to donors or political insiders, but to working families, veterans, small business owners, farmers, union members, students, and retirees. It means showing up in every corner of the district—from Savannah to Waycross, Brunswick to Hinesville—and making sure no community is left unheard or behind.<br/><br/>\r\nSecond, a Representative must legislate with integrity and courage. This includes drafting, supporting, or opposing laws that directly impact people’s lives—on issues like health care, jobs, infrastructure, education, environmental protection, and veterans’ services. In a district like ours, that means fighting to protect coastal communities from climate change, securing funding for rural health care and transportation, defending Social Security and Medicare, and investing in public schools and good-paying jobs.<br/><br/>\r\nThird, a Representative must serve as a watchdog and a check on corruption and abuse of power. The job is not just to pass laws—it’s to uphold the Constitution, ensure accountability, and protect our democracy from threats both foreign and domestic.<br/><br/>\r\nFinally, a Representative must be accessible, transparent, and responsive. That means holding regular town halls, answering calls and emails, and being honest—even when the truth is hard to hear.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nUltimately, this job is about public service—not self-service. It’s about putting the people of Georgia’s 1st District first, every single day.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading7-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legacy would you like to leave?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe Legacy I Want to Leave<br/>\n<p>I want to leave a legacy of standing up — unapologetically — for working people in a system that’s been rigged against them for too long.<br/><br/>\r\nIf I can help shift power away from billionaires and corporate lobbyists and back into the hands of ordinary people — union workers, public employees, teachers, parents, veterans, and small business owners — then I’ll know I did something right.<br/><br/>\r\nI want to be remembered as someone who fought for justice, not status. Someone who told the truth, even when it was unpopular. Someone who used every ounce of political capital to deliver dignity, wages, healthcare, and freedom to the people who built this country — and have been ignored for far too long.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nUltimately, I want my legacy to show that you don’t have to sell out to win, and you don’t have to play along to make a difference. You just have to serve the people — and never forget who sent you.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading8-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe Bicentennial of the United States (July 4, 1976)<br/>\n<p>Age: 6<br/>\n</p>\nThis was a huge, celebratory event across the country — red, white, and blue everywhere, parades, fireworks, and patriotic programming. I remember this because it was festive and very visible, and they made a special quarter just for that year.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading9-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy First Job: Lessons from the Lanes<br/><br/>\n<p>My very first job was at a local bowling alley called Bowling Green, a place that fancied itself a little more upscale than your typical alley. I was just 15 years old. It was 1985, and this place was proud of its modern lanes, computerized scoring (which was cutting-edge at the time), and a menu that included things like mulligan stew served in a bread bowl — at airport prices, of course.<br/><br/>\r\nMy job? A little bit of everything. I helped customers get their games started on the new computer systems — something that confused a lot of folks, especially the older crowd. I emptied ashtrays constantly (smoking indoors was still very much a thing), and I ran a Hoky floor sweeper around the place to keep things looking clean. I made minimum wage — $3.35 an hour — and it was enough to keep gas in the tank (I had my learner’s permit), and to feed my growing collection of cassette tapes and record albums.<br/><br/>\r\nThere were perks, too. I got to bowl at a heavily discounted rate, and eventually bought myself a custom ball and case. I got better with time — never great, but not terrible either. The alley had an arcade and a pool table, so I spent a lot of off-hours playing Tempest and shooting pool, learning geometry the fun way.<br/><br/>\r\nI wasn’t especially close with my coworkers, but the job taught me a lot — especially about working with the public. A good half of the job was customer service, and I learned early on the value of patience, especially with people who struggled with technology (something that still feels relevant today). I learned how to show up on time, how to follow directions, and how to take pride in doing a job well, even when it wasn’t glamorous.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nEventually, I left that job to spend a summer in San Diego laying carpet with my uncle — a whole different kind of hard work. I was only there about 5 mos., but the memories from Bowling Green have stuck with me. That first job didn’t just help me buy music and gas — it helped me grow up.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading10-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is your favorite book? Why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy favorite book is A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn — and not just because I got to meet him in 1998 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he signed my copy (though that was unforgettable). It’s my favorite because it completely changed the way I understood history — and power.<br/><br/>\n<p>Zinn doesn’t tell the story of presidents and generals. He tells the story of workers, Indigenous people, enslaved people, immigrants, women, and ordinary folks who resisted injustice in all its forms. He flips the script and shows how real change has always come from the bottom up — not from the halls of power, but from the streets, the picket lines, and the communities who refused to be silent.<br/><br/>\r\nThat book made it clear to me that history isn’t just something that happens — it’s something people make. It’s a reminder that we’ve always had the power to fight back — and that our voices matter, even when we’re told they don’t.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nReading A People’s History didn’t just inform me — it radicalized me, in the best sense. It affirmed my belief that the systems we live under weren’t built for working people — and that it’s our responsibility to change them. That’s the spirit I carry into this campaign.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading11-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIf you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tIf I Could Be Any Fictional Character<br/>\n<p>I’d want to be Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird.<br/><br/>\r\nAtticus stands for justice, fairness, and courage — even when the odds are stacked against him and the world around him is deeply unfair. He fights for what’s right with integrity, empathy, and a steady voice. Like him, I want to be a defender of the vulnerable and a champion for truth, no matter the pressure or opposition.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nAtticus reminds me that real strength isn’t loud or flashy; it’s standing firm in your values and giving a voice to those who are often unheard. That’s the kind of leadership I want to bring to Georgia’s 1st District.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading12-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was the last song that got stuck in your head?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe last song that got stuck in my head was “There’s Hope” by India Arie. I wasn’t looking for it — it just found me. I think I was driving, half-lost in thought, half-scanning the mess of headlines and to-do lists running through my brain. And then that voice came through the speakers:<br/>\n<p>“There’s hope… it doesn’t cost a thing to smile…”<br/><br/>\r\nI paused. Not physically — I kept driving — but something in me slowed down. The song isn’t flashy. It’s not angry. It’s not trying to win an argument. It’s just quietly, defiantly saying: you’re still here, and that means there’s still something worth fighting for.<br/><br/>\r\nThat message landed hard. In a world where it feels like greed wins and power protects itself, that song reminded me of the strength in joy — especially when things are hard. The act of smiling, of holding onto hope, of believing in the dignity of every human being — it’s not naïve. It’s radical. Especially now.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nThat song stuck with me all day. And honestly, I’m glad it did. Because in this work — campaigning, organizing, trying to shift power back to the people — it’s easy to focus on the fight. But that song reminded me that hope isn’t a luxury — it’s a tool. It’s fuel.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading13-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is something that has been a struggle in your life?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading13-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tA Struggle That Shaped Me<br/>\n<p>One of the biggest struggles in my life has been trying to make a decent living in a system that too often sets working people up to fail. I’ve done hard, honest work — like laying carpet in the heat, working minimum-wage jobs, scraping by without safety nets. I even briefly worked the night shift at a chicken processing plant in Arkansas — and I still found myself fighting just to stay afloat, while watching billionaires rake in record profits.<br/><br/>\r\nIt’s a deep kind of frustration to know you’re working harder than ever and still falling behind — not because you made bad choices, but because the rules were written by and for the wealthy. That struggle — the economic insecurity, the exhaustion, the indignity of being treated as disposable — it leaves a mark. And it’s what drives me to run.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nI want to fight for a world where nobody has to work themselves into the ground just to survive. Where healthcare, housing, and a living wage aren’t luxuries. That struggle taught me empathy, grit, and a refusal to accept injustice as normal. It’s not just part of my story — it’s the reason I’m in this fight.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading14-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading14-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe U.S. House of Representatives is unique among American institutions for several key reasons:<br/><br/>\n<p>It’s the People’s House<br/>\r\nThe House was designed to be the most directly responsive to the public. Members serve two-year terms, making them more accountable to voters and more reflective of shifting public opinion.<br/><br/>\r\nProportional Representation<br/>\r\nUnlike the Senate, which gives equal power to each state, the House is based on population. This means large states and densely populated areas have greater representation, giving more voice to where most Americans live and work.<br/><br/>\r\nOrigin of All Spending Bills<br/>\r\nBy constitutional design, all revenue and appropriations bills must begin in the House. That gives it enormous influence over how public money is raised and spent—making it central to the national agenda.<br/><br/>\r\nBroad Investigative Power<br/>\r\nThe House holds sweeping investigative authority through its committees. From Watergate to January 6th, it has led many of the most consequential inquiries into executive abuse, corruption, and national scandals.<br/><br/>\r\nImpeachment Power<br/>\r\nOnly the House has the power to impeach federal officials, including the President. This makes it a critical check on executive overreach and a defender of constitutional norms.<br/><br/>\r\nLarger and More Diverse<br/>\n</p>\nWith 435 voting members, the House is far larger than the Senate, and over time, has become more racially, culturally, and ideologically diverse—bringing a broader range of voices into the legislative process.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading15-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse15-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading15-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse15-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tPrevious experience in government or politics can be beneficial—but it’s not essential. What truly matters is whether a representative understands the struggles of everyday people, has a strong moral compass, and is willing to fight for what’s right.<br/><br/>\n<p>Yes, experience can help someone navigate the system, build coalitions, and craft effective policy. But too often, career politicians become insulated from the realities their constituents face. They start serving donors, not voters.<br/><br/>\r\nReal-world experience—working a job, raising a family, serving in the military, organizing in a union, running a small business, or fighting for a cause—can be just as valuable, if not more. It brings perspective, urgency, and authenticity.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nUltimately, we need representatives who are grounded in public service, not political ambition. Experience matters, but integrity, empathy, and courage matter more.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading16-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse16-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading16-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse16-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tOver the next decade, the United States faces a set of deeply interconnected challenges that will define our future—for better or worse.<br/><br/>\n<p>Economic inequality is at crisis levels. Working people are producing more than ever, but wages have stagnated while billionaires and corporations hoard record profits. This imbalance is eroding the middle class and fueling resentment, instability, and division.<br/><br/>\r\nClimate change poses an urgent threat, especially in coastal regions like Georgia’s 1st District. Rising seas, extreme weather, and environmental degradation aren’t distant problems—they’re here now, threatening our communities, our economy, and our health.<br/><br/>\r\nDemocratic erosion is another grave danger. From voter suppression to dark money, gerrymandering to attacks on the rule of law, we’ve seen how fragile our democratic institutions really are. Without bold action, we risk losing the very foundation of our republic.<br/><br/>\r\nHealthcare access remains out of reach for too many. Even with advancements in medicine, millions of Americans struggle to afford prescriptions, doctor visits, or insurance—despite working full-time jobs.<br/><br/>\r\nCorporate power and corruption continue to distort our priorities. When billionaires and special interests write the rules, everyday Americans get left behind. That’s not a democracy—it’s an oligarchy in disguise.<br/><br/>\r\nFinally, social division and disinformation are tearing at our national fabric. We need leadership that brings people together, not one that thrives on outrage, fear, and manufactured enemies.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nThe solutions to these challenges aren’t impossible—but they require courage, integrity, and a government that works for the many, not the few. That’s the fight ahead—and I’m ready for it.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading17-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse17-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading17-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse17-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tTwo years is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it keeps representatives directly accountable to the people. It forces them to stay connected to their constituents and be responsive to changing needs.<br/><br/>\n<p>But in practice, it also means constant campaigning, endless fundraising, and too little time focused on governing. It gives an advantage to incumbents and the wealthy, while making it harder for working-class candidates to break through.<br/><br/>\r\nSo while two-year terms uphold democratic responsiveness, they also undermine long-term planning and reward short-term politics. The system could work better if paired with real reforms—like public campaign financing, fair redistricting, and term limits—to make it more accessible, less corrupt, and truly representative.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nIn short: two years can work, but not without fixing the broken incentives that come with it.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading18-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse18-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your thoughts on term limits?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading18-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse18-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI support reasonable term limits as a way to prevent career politicians from becoming disconnected from the people they serve. Public office should be about service—not power, profit, or prestige. Term limits can help break the cycle of entrenched incumbency, reduce the influence of lobbyists, and open the door for new voices, working-class candidates, and genuine public servants. Fresh leadership keeps democracy healthy and accountable.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading19-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse19-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading19-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse19-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tYes!<br/>\n<p>John Lewis embodied the highest ideals of public service: moral courage, nonviolent resistance, relentless advocacy for justice, and unwavering loyalty to the people over power. He didn’t just serve in Congress—he lived his values, from the Edmund Pettus Bridge to the House floor.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nHe believed in \"good trouble\"—necessary disruption in the face of injustice—and he never stopped fighting for voting rights, civil rights, and dignity for all. He showed that leadership is about sacrifice, not self-promotion.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading20-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse20-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tBoth sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading20-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse20-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tA Story That Stuck With Me<br/>\n<p>Not long ago, in my capacity as a local union representative, I met a public school paraprofessional in a school in Savannah — a woman in her 60s who’s been working with special-needs students for over 30 years. She told me that even after decades of service, she can’t afford to retire, and her health insurance barely covers her medication. She loves her students like family, but she’s exhausted. She said to me, “I gave my life to this district. What did I get back?”<br/><br/>\r\nThat hit me hard. Because it’s not just her story — it’s the story of millions of people who did everything right: they worked hard, played by the rules, and still got left behind while billionaires hoard the rewards. And to make matters worse, Republican-led state legislatures block them from even bargaining collectively with their fellow school employees for fair pay and decent benefits.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nThat conversation reminded me that this campaign isn’t about abstract policies — it’s about real people who deserve dignity, respect, and a government that finally fights for them.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading21-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse21-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tTell us your favorite joke.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading21-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse21-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tA billionaire, a teacher, and a warehouse worker sit at a table with a dozen donuts.<br/><br/>\n<p>The billionaire grabs 11 of them, then turns to the teacher and says:<br/>\n</p>\n“Better watch out — that warehouse worker’s coming for your donut.”\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse22-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading22-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse22-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse22-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading22-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse22-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tYes, I believe compromise is both necessary and desirable in policymaking—when all parties are acting in good faith. But compromise has limits. We cannot negotiate with those who undermine democracy, promote authoritarianism, or push policies rooted in hate and oppression. There’s no middle ground when it comes to fascism.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse23-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading23-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse23-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse23-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tThe Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading23-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse23-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe House’s “Power of the Purse” is a tool for working people.<br/>\n<p>Under Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution, all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House of Representatives. That means as a member of the House, I would have a frontline role in shaping how and from whom the government collects money — and how that money serves the people.<br/><br/>\r\nOur current Republican-led House of Representatives seems to have abdicated this power and given it to the Executive Branch.<br/><br/>\r\nIf I am elected, this power will become a tool to:<br/><br/>\r\nPrioritize working families over billionaires<br/>\r\nI will fight to shift the tax burden off the working class and ensure that the ultra-wealthy, giant corporations, and Wall Street finally pay their fair share.<br/><br/>\r\nFund the programs our community needs<br/>\r\nWhether it’s fully funding public schools, expanding rural healthcare, preventing planned cuts in Medicaid or protecting Social Security and Medicare, I’ll have direct input on how federal dollars are raised and where they go.<br/><br/>\r\nBlock tax schemes that hurt our district<br/>\r\nI can oppose and stop regressive tax bills that benefit the rich at the expense of everyday Georgians — because those bills must pass through the House first.<br/><br/>\r\nDemand a moral budget<br/>\n</p>\nWith the power to influence revenue bills, I will insist on a budget that reflects working-class values — not one written by lobbyists for billionaires and defense contractors.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse24-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading24-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse24-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse24-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tHow should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading24-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse24-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe House of Representatives has the constitutional authority to investigate any issue within the scope of federal legislation — and this power should be used boldly, responsibly, and in service of the public good. If elected, I would support using this power to:<br/><br/>\n<p>Hold the powerful accountable<br/>\r\nCongress must investigate corporate corruption, tax evasion, price-gouging, union-busting, environmental abuse, out-in-the-open corruption, and the exploitation of working people — not just in theory, but in practice. No CEO, billionaire, or former president should be above the law.<br/><br/>\r\nExpose government failure and abuse<br/>\r\nInvestigative power is essential to uncovering waste, fraud, mismanagement, and human rights violations in federal agencies — whether it's within ICE, the VA, the Department of Defense, or any other institution.<br/><br/>\r\nProtect democracy from threats<br/>\r\nThe House must investigate efforts to undermine elections, spread disinformation, or incite political violence — no matter who’s responsible. Defending democracy requires more than speeches; it demands action.<br/><br/>\r\nAdvance real solutions<br/>\r\nInvestigations should not be political theater — they should lead to legislation. When investigations reveal broken systems, Congress has a duty to fix them with new laws, protections, and oversight.<br/><br/>\r\nShine a light on what’s hidden from the public<br/>\r\nFrom wage theft to toxic pollution, so much harm happens in the shadows. Investigations are how the people’s House brings the truth to light — especially when other institutions stay silent.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nAlso, the Epstein files need to be released, in full and unredacted, immediately. If elected, I will make sure that happens.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse25-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading25-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse25-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse25-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading25-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse25-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tU.S. Term Limits, Joe Steffen, Elaine Snider, Ken Garrett, Pastor Eric Jackson, Rev. Bob Morgan, Alyssa Sommer, Victor Rendon, Sarah Wicks\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse26-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading26-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse26-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse26-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat committees interest you?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading26-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse26-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe four committees that interest me the most are:<br/><br/>\n<p>1. House Committee on Appropriations<br/>\r\nControls federal spending. Every dollar the government spends passes through this committee. It sets priorities for everything from defense to education to infrastructure.<br/>\r\n2. House Committee on Energy and Commerce<br/>\r\nOversees a huge range of issues: healthcare, energy policy, consumer protection, climate change, telecommunications, and more. Highly influential in shaping domestic policy.<br/>\r\n3. House Committee on Education and the Workforce<br/>\r\nCovers public education, labor laws, workplace protections, union rights, and worker wages—critical for working families and students.<br/>\r\n4. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability<br/>\n</p>\nResponsible for holding the federal government accountable through investigations and oversight of agencies, programs, and public spending. Crucial for transparency and ethics.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse27-360158-2025-08-11\" id=\"heading27-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse27-360158-2025-08-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse27-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading27-360158-2025-08-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse27-360158-2025-08-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI believe financial transparency and government accountability are non-negotiable. Public officials must disclose where money is coming from and how it’s being spent. No secret donors, no backroom deals, and no one—especially elected leaders—should be above the law. I support strict disclosure laws, independent oversight, and real consequences for corruption or misuse of power. Government should serve the people, not the powerful—and the public has a right to know what’s being done in their name and with their money.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nRandy Zurcher completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Zurcher's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Who I Am (And Who I’m Not) I’m from Spencer, Oklahoma — a small town of just 3,830. I finished high school in even smaller Adair, graduated from John Brown University in Arkansas, served two terms on the Fayetteville City Council, and have called Savannah home since 2003. I’m not a career politician — I’m a husband, father, soccer coach, union rep, and licensed Realtor. Just a regular guy standing up for working people. I’ve always backed the underdog. My only arrest? Trying to save a historic grove of trees in the ’90s. This fight goes way back. I started thinking seriously about this race because I couldn’t stomach what Buddy Carter has done — trying to overturn the 2020 election, turning his back on Capitol Police, and now siding with January 6th insurrectionists. He’s eyeing the Senate, and Republicans will likely run another billionaire-backed MAGA loyalist. Not on my watch. I’m running because it’s time we held this broken system—and those breaking it—accountable. I’ll fight to protect the benefits we’ve earned: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and care for veterans. I’ll stand with working families, defend our rights, and push back against leaders who treat the Constitution like an inconvenience. This fight is personal—for all of us. And I’m ready to get to work. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Hands Off Our Earned Benefits!\r\nPresident Trump and the GOP gave Elon Musk and his unqualified “DOGE team” unprecedented access to vital institutions—while slashing Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the VA, and public services. Why? To fund tax breaks for billionaires. That’s not reform—it’s betrayal. These programs aren’t bargaining chips. We paid into them with every paycheck. Hands off. If elected, I’ll restore funding, reverse cuts, and ensure professionals—not cronies—run these services. I’ll fight to protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA—because these promises must be kept. The stakes are high. Let’s defend what’s ours. Rule of Law: Under Threat\r\nTrump attacked judges, politicized the DOJ, defied oversight, spread election lies, and pardoned allies—all while encouraging lawlessness and punishing whistleblowers. His actions eroded public trust and undermined our democracy.\r\n\r\nAs your Representative, I’ll fight to:\r\n• Strengthen congressional oversight\r\n• Reinforce DOJ independence\r\n• Protect whistleblowers and inspectors general\r\n• Ensure accountability—no one is above the law\r\n• Defend free and fair elections\r\n• Promote civic education\r\n\r\nThe rule of law is not optional—it’s the foundation of our republic. Let’s defend it together. Money Out of Our Politics!\r\nOur democracy is under threat from oligarchic control. Corporate PACs, dark money, and billionaire donors drown out everyday Americans. That’s not just unjust—it’s un-American.\r\n\r\nMy Commitment: Get Money Out of Politics\r\nIf elected, I will:\r\n• Ban corporate PACs and dark money\r\n• Support a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United\r\n• Push for publicly funded elections to elevate small-dollar donors\r\n• Enforce real-time transparency in all political donations\r\n• Reform lobbying and close the revolving door in Washington\r\n\r\nIt’s time to put people over profits and return our democracy to the voters. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I am passionate about loss of our earned benefits and the erosion of safety nets that protect our weakest citizens. I am also passionate about the erosion of the rule of law, including masked ICE agents kidnapping people and imprisoning or deporting them without due process. I am passionate about fixing a broken bought-and-paid-for Supreme Court that wants to take away a woman's right to her own body and grant Trump the power of a king. I am passionately against the out in the open graft and corruption the president and his family engage in on a daily basis. I am passionate about getting the money out of politics. Billionaires need to pay their taxes and get out of our government! I passionately believe it is time for a change! Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? Who I Look Up To — And Why I look up to Representative John Lewis, not just because he was from Georgia, but because he lived his values with courage, humility, and an unshakable sense of justice. He believed in good trouble — and he never forgot who he was fighting for: everyday people. Like Lewis, I believe public service is about standing up for the vulnerable, even when it's unpopular or risky. He didn’t serve billionaires or corporate PACs — he served the people. His example reminds me that real leadership means showing up, telling the truth, and never backing down when working families are under attack. I also draw inspiration from Bernie Sanders, who has spent his entire career fighting against oligarchy, corporate greed, and a political system rigged against the working class. He’s proof that you can tell the truth, take no corporate money, and still build a powerful movement. These are the examples I want to follow — leaders who believed in dignity, justice, and organizing ordinary people to take on the powerful. Because that’s what it’s going to take to change Georgia’s 1st District — and this country. Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy? Book: The People, No by Thomas Frank This is a powerful history of American populism—what it really means, how it's been distorted, and how ordinary people have fought back against elite control. It’s a great lens for understanding my belief in bottom-up politics, not billionaire-backed movements. Film: Matewan (1987, directed by John Sayles) This dramatization of a 1920s coal miners’ strike in West Virginia shows the raw power of labor solidarity and the lengths corporations will go to crush it. It captures the spirit of the “noligarchy” movement I talk about: working people banding together against exploitation. Essay: “Economic Inequality” by Bernie Sanders (2020) A short but fiery read, this essay lays out the moral and structural dangers of oligarchy in America. It aligns with my stance that concentrated wealth is incompatible with a healthy democracy. Book: Democracy in Chains by Nancy MacLean This book exposes the long campaign by libertarian billionaires to undermine democratic institutions in favor of corporate rule. It’s eye-opening and explains a lot about how we got here—and why we need to fight back. These works don’t just inform my politics—they affirm the idea that change starts with organized people, not organized money. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? The most important characteristics and principles for an elected official can be summed up in a few core values: Integrity – An elected official must tell the truth, keep their word, and act in the public’s best interest—even when it’s inconvenient or unpopular. Without integrity, trust breaks down, and democracy suffers. Accountability – Public servants must answer to the people they represent. That means being transparent, accessible, and willing to admit when they’re wrong or when something isn’t working. Courage – It takes real courage to stand up to powerful interests, to call out corruption, and to vote your conscience—especially when the political winds are blowing the other way. Empathy – Good leaders listen. They don’t just hear from the wealthy or well-connected—they make it a point to hear from working people, the marginalized, the struggling, and the overlooked. Work Ethic – Government is not a show or a stepping stone. It’s hard work. An elected official must show up, do their homework, stay engaged, and fight every day for their constituents. Commitment to Justice and Equality – Every decision should be guided by the principle that everyone deserves a fair shot, equal protection, and a voice in shaping their future—regardless of race, wealth, gender, or background. Respect for Democracy and the Rule of Law – Officials must honor the Constitution, respect the separation of powers, and protect the institutions that safeguard our freedoms—even when those institutions limit their own power. Ultimately, elected officials should never forget who they work for: the people. Not donors, not lobbyists, not party leaders—the people. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? What Makes Me Ready to Serve I’m not a career politician — I’m a working-class person who knows what it means to live under policies written by and for the rich. That lived experience grounds me in a few key qualities that I believe would make me a successful representative: Authenticity I say what I mean, and I don’t sugarcoat the truth. People are tired of spin. They want someone who speaks plainly, honestly, and with conviction. Accountability to the People — Not the Powerful I’m not taking corporate PAC money. My campaign is powered by working people — and that’s exactly who I’ll answer to in office. Courage I’m not afraid to confront the oligarchy, challenge the status quo, or take on powerful interests — whether it’s insurance companies, union-busters, or billionaire donors. Empathy I’ve listened to people’s struggles, and I’ve lived some of them myself. I’ll bring that perspective into every vote and every fight. Work Ethic I show up. Whether it’s at protests, town halls, or picket lines, I believe being present and doing the work matters — and I won’t stop once I’m elected. Organizing Mindset I don’t believe change comes from the top down — it comes from the bottom up. I’ll use my office not just to vote, but to help organize people, build coalitions, and win real victories. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? The core responsibilities of a U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 1st District are grounded in service, accountability, and advocacy for the people who call this diverse region home. First and foremost, a Representative must be a voice for their constituents. That means listening—not just to donors or political insiders, but to working families, veterans, small business owners, farmers, union members, students, and retirees. It means showing up in every corner of the district—from Savannah to Waycross, Brunswick to Hinesville—and making sure no community is left unheard or behind. Second, a Representative must legislate with integrity and courage. This includes drafting, supporting, or opposing laws that directly impact people’s lives—on issues like health care, jobs, infrastructure, education, environmental protection, and veterans’ services. In a district like ours, that means fighting to protect coastal communities from climate change, securing funding for rural health care and transportation, defending Social Security and Medicare, and investing in public schools and good-paying jobs. Third, a Representative must serve as a watchdog and a check on corruption and abuse of power. The job is not just to pass laws—it’s to uphold the Constitution, ensure accountability, and protect our democracy from threats both foreign and domestic. Finally, a Representative must be accessible, transparent, and responsive. That means holding regular town halls, answering calls and emails, and being honest—even when the truth is hard to hear. Ultimately, this job is about public service—not self-service. It’s about putting the people of Georgia’s 1st District first, every single day. What legacy would you like to leave? The Legacy I Want to Leave I want to leave a legacy of standing up — unapologetically — for working people in a system that’s been rigged against them for too long. If I can help shift power away from billionaires and corporate lobbyists and back into the hands of ordinary people — union workers, public employees, teachers, parents, veterans, and small business owners — then I’ll know I did something right. I want to be remembered as someone who fought for justice, not status. Someone who told the truth, even when it was unpopular. Someone who used every ounce of political capital to deliver dignity, wages, healthcare, and freedom to the people who built this country — and have been ignored for far too long. Ultimately, I want my legacy to show that you don’t have to sell out to win, and you don’t have to play along to make a difference. You just have to serve the people — and never forget who sent you. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? The Bicentennial of the United States (July 4, 1976) Age: 6 This was a huge, celebratory event across the country — red, white, and blue everywhere, parades, fireworks, and patriotic programming. I remember this because it was festive and very visible, and they made a special quarter just for that year. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? My First Job: Lessons from the Lanes My very first job was at a local bowling alley called Bowling Green, a place that fancied itself a little more upscale than your typical alley. I was just 15 years old. It was 1985, and this place was proud of its modern lanes, computerized scoring (which was cutting-edge at the time), and a menu that included things like mulligan stew served in a bread bowl — at airport prices, of course. My job? A little bit of everything. I helped customers get their games started on the new computer systems — something that confused a lot of folks, especially the older crowd. I emptied ashtrays constantly (smoking indoors was still very much a thing), and I ran a Hoky floor sweeper around the place to keep things looking clean. I made minimum wage — $3.35 an hour — and it was enough to keep gas in the tank (I had my learner’s permit), and to feed my growing collection of cassette tapes and record albums. There were perks, too. I got to bowl at a heavily discounted rate, and eventually bought myself a custom ball and case. I got better with time — never great, but not terrible either. The alley had an arcade and a pool table, so I spent a lot of off-hours playing Tempest and shooting pool, learning geometry the fun way. I wasn’t especially close with my coworkers, but the job taught me a lot — especially about working with the public. A good half of the job was customer service, and I learned early on the value of patience, especially with people who struggled with technology (something that still feels relevant today). I learned how to show up on time, how to follow directions, and how to take pride in doing a job well, even when it wasn’t glamorous. Eventually, I left that job to spend a summer in San Diego laying carpet with my uncle — a whole different kind of hard work. I was only there about 5 mos., but the memories from Bowling Green have stuck with me. That first job didn’t just help me buy music and gas — it helped me grow up. What is your favorite book? Why? My favorite book is A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn — and not just because I got to meet him in 1998 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he signed my copy (though that was unforgettable). It’s my favorite because it completely changed the way I understood history — and power. Zinn doesn’t tell the story of presidents and generals. He tells the story of workers, Indigenous people, enslaved people, immigrants, women, and ordinary folks who resisted injustice in all its forms. He flips the script and shows how real change has always come from the bottom up — not from the halls of power, but from the streets, the picket lines, and the communities who refused to be silent. That book made it clear to me that history isn’t just something that happens — it’s something people make. It’s a reminder that we’ve always had the power to fight back — and that our voices matter, even when we’re told they don’t. Reading A People’s History didn’t just inform me — it radicalized me, in the best sense. It affirmed my belief that the systems we live under weren’t built for working people — and that it’s our responsibility to change them. That’s the spirit I carry into this campaign. If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be? If I Could Be Any Fictional Character I’d want to be Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus stands for justice, fairness, and courage — even when the odds are stacked against him and the world around him is deeply unfair. He fights for what’s right with integrity, empathy, and a steady voice. Like him, I want to be a defender of the vulnerable and a champion for truth, no matter the pressure or opposition. Atticus reminds me that real strength isn’t loud or flashy; it’s standing firm in your values and giving a voice to those who are often unheard. That’s the kind of leadership I want to bring to Georgia’s 1st District. What was the last song that got stuck in your head? The last song that got stuck in my head was “There’s Hope” by India Arie. I wasn’t looking for it — it just found me. I think I was driving, half-lost in thought, half-scanning the mess of headlines and to-do lists running through my brain. And then that voice came through the speakers: “There’s hope… it doesn’t cost a thing to smile…” I paused. Not physically — I kept driving — but something in me slowed down. The song isn’t flashy. It’s not angry. It’s not trying to win an argument. It’s just quietly, defiantly saying: you’re still here, and that means there’s still something worth fighting for. That message landed hard. In a world where it feels like greed wins and power protects itself, that song reminded me of the strength in joy — especially when things are hard. The act of smiling, of holding onto hope, of believing in the dignity of every human being — it’s not naïve. It’s radical. Especially now. That song stuck with me all day. And honestly, I’m glad it did. Because in this work — campaigning, organizing, trying to shift power back to the people — it’s easy to focus on the fight. But that song reminded me that hope isn’t a luxury — it’s a tool. It’s fuel. What is something that has been a struggle in your life? A Struggle That Shaped Me One of the biggest struggles in my life has been trying to make a decent living in a system that too often sets working people up to fail. I’ve done hard, honest work — like laying carpet in the heat, working minimum-wage jobs, scraping by without safety nets. I even briefly worked the night shift at a chicken processing plant in Arkansas — and I still found myself fighting just to stay afloat, while watching billionaires rake in record profits. It’s a deep kind of frustration to know you’re working harder than ever and still falling behind — not because you made bad choices, but because the rules were written by and for the wealthy. That struggle — the economic insecurity, the exhaustion, the indignity of being treated as disposable — it leaves a mark. And it’s what drives me to run. I want to fight for a world where nobody has to work themselves into the ground just to survive. Where healthcare, housing, and a living wage aren’t luxuries. That struggle taught me empathy, grit, and a refusal to accept injustice as normal. It’s not just part of my story — it’s the reason I’m in this fight. What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution? The U.S. House of Representatives is unique among American institutions for several key reasons: It’s the People’s House The House was designed to be the most directly responsive to the public. Members serve two-year terms, making them more accountable to voters and more reflective of shifting public opinion. Proportional Representation Unlike the Senate, which gives equal power to each state, the House is based on population. This means large states and densely populated areas have greater representation, giving more voice to where most Americans live and work. Origin of All Spending Bills By constitutional design, all revenue and appropriations bills must begin in the House. That gives it enormous influence over how public money is raised and spent—making it central to the national agenda. Broad Investigative Power The House holds sweeping investigative authority through its committees. From Watergate to January 6th, it has led many of the most consequential inquiries into executive abuse, corruption, and national scandals. Impeachment Power Only the House has the power to impeach federal officials, including the President. This makes it a critical check on executive overreach and a defender of constitutional norms. Larger and More Diverse With 435 voting members, the House is far larger than the Senate, and over time, has become more racially, culturally, and ideologically diverse—bringing a broader range of voices into the legislative process. Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? Previous experience in government or politics can be beneficial—but it’s not essential. What truly matters is whether a representative understands the struggles of everyday people, has a strong moral compass, and is willing to fight for what’s right. Yes, experience can help someone navigate the system, build coalitions, and craft effective policy. But too often, career politicians become insulated from the realities their constituents face. They start serving donors, not voters. Real-world experience—working a job, raising a family, serving in the military, organizing in a union, running a small business, or fighting for a cause—can be just as valuable, if not more. It brings perspective, urgency, and authenticity. Ultimately, we need representatives who are grounded in public service, not political ambition. Experience matters, but integrity, empathy, and courage matter more. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? Over the next decade, the United States faces a set of deeply interconnected challenges that will define our future—for better or worse. Economic inequality is at crisis levels. Working people are producing more than ever, but wages have stagnated while billionaires and corporations hoard record profits. This imbalance is eroding the middle class and fueling resentment, instability, and division. Climate change poses an urgent threat, especially in coastal regions like Georgia’s 1st District. Rising seas, extreme weather, and environmental degradation aren’t distant problems—they’re here now, threatening our communities, our economy, and our health. Democratic erosion is another grave danger. From voter suppression to dark money, gerrymandering to attacks on the rule of law, we’ve seen how fragile our democratic institutions really are. Without bold action, we risk losing the very foundation of our republic. Healthcare access remains out of reach for too many. Even with advancements in medicine, millions of Americans struggle to afford prescriptions, doctor visits, or insurance—despite working full-time jobs. Corporate power and corruption continue to distort our priorities. When billionaires and special interests write the rules, everyday Americans get left behind. That’s not a democracy—it’s an oligarchy in disguise. Finally, social division and disinformation are tearing at our national fabric. We need leadership that brings people together, not one that thrives on outrage, fear, and manufactured enemies. The solutions to these challenges aren’t impossible—but they require courage, integrity, and a government that works for the many, not the few. That’s the fight ahead—and I’m ready for it. Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives? Two years is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it keeps representatives directly accountable to the people. It forces them to stay connected to their constituents and be responsive to changing needs. But in practice, it also means constant campaigning, endless fundraising, and too little time focused on governing. It gives an advantage to incumbents and the wealthy, while making it harder for working-class candidates to break through. So while two-year terms uphold democratic responsiveness, they also undermine long-term planning and reward short-term politics. The system could work better if paired with real reforms—like public campaign financing, fair redistricting, and term limits—to make it more accessible, less corrupt, and truly representative. In short: two years can work, but not without fixing the broken incentives that come with it. What are your thoughts on term limits? I support reasonable term limits as a way to prevent career politicians from becoming disconnected from the people they serve. Public office should be about service—not power, profit, or prestige. Term limits can help break the cycle of entrenched incumbency, reduce the influence of lobbyists, and open the door for new voices, working-class candidates, and genuine public servants. Fresh leadership keeps democracy healthy and accountable. Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? Yes! John Lewis embodied the highest ideals of public service: moral courage, nonviolent resistance, relentless advocacy for justice, and unwavering loyalty to the people over power. He didn’t just serve in Congress—he lived his values, from the Edmund Pettus Bridge to the House floor. He believed in \"good trouble\"—necessary disruption in the face of injustice—and he never stopped fighting for voting rights, civil rights, and dignity for all. He showed that leadership is about sacrifice, not self-promotion. Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful? A Story That Stuck With Me Not long ago, in my capacity as a local union representative, I met a public school paraprofessional in a school in Savannah — a woman in her 60s who’s been working with special-needs students for over 30 years. She told me that even after decades of service, she can’t afford to retire, and her health insurance barely covers her medication. She loves her students like family, but she’s exhausted. She said to me, “I gave my life to this district. What did I get back?” That hit me hard. Because it’s not just her story — it’s the story of millions of people who did everything right: they worked hard, played by the rules, and still got left behind while billionaires hoard the rewards. And to make matters worse, Republican-led state legislatures block them from even bargaining collectively with their fellow school employees for fair pay and decent benefits. That conversation reminded me that this campaign isn’t about abstract policies — it’s about real people who deserve dignity, respect, and a government that finally fights for them. Tell us your favorite joke. A billionaire, a teacher, and a warehouse worker sit at a table with a dozen donuts. The billionaire grabs 11 of them, then turns to the teacher and says: “Better watch out — that warehouse worker’s coming for your donut.” Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? Yes, I believe compromise is both necessary and desirable in policymaking—when all parties are acting in good faith. But compromise has limits. We cannot negotiate with those who undermine democracy, promote authoritarianism, or push policies rooted in hate and oppression. There’s no middle ground when it comes to fascism. The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected? The House’s “Power of the Purse” is a tool for working people. Under Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution, all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House of Representatives. That means as a member of the House, I would have a frontline role in shaping how and from whom the government collects money — and how that money serves the people. Our current Republican-led House of Representatives seems to have abdicated this power and given it to the Executive Branch. If I am elected, this power will become a tool to: Prioritize working families over billionaires I will fight to shift the tax burden off the working class and ensure that the ultra-wealthy, giant corporations, and Wall Street finally pay their fair share. Fund the programs our community needs Whether it’s fully funding public schools, expanding rural healthcare, preventing planned cuts in Medicaid or protecting Social Security and Medicare, I’ll have direct input on how federal dollars are raised and where they go. Block tax schemes that hurt our district I can oppose and stop regressive tax bills that benefit the rich at the expense of everyday Georgians — because those bills must pass through the House first. Demand a moral budget With the power to influence revenue bills, I will insist on a budget that reflects working-class values — not one written by lobbyists for billionaires and defense contractors. How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers? The House of Representatives has the constitutional authority to investigate any issue within the scope of federal legislation — and this power should be used boldly, responsibly, and in service of the public good. If elected, I would support using this power to: Hold the powerful accountable Congress must investigate corporate corruption, tax evasion, price-gouging, union-busting, environmental abuse, out-in-the-open corruption, and the exploitation of working people — not just in theory, but in practice. No CEO, billionaire, or former president should be above the law. Expose government failure and abuse Investigative power is essential to uncovering waste, fraud, mismanagement, and human rights violations in federal agencies — whether it's within ICE, the VA, the Department of Defense, or any other institution. Protect democracy from threats The House must investigate efforts to undermine elections, spread disinformation, or incite political violence — no matter who’s responsible. Defending democracy requires more than speeches; it demands action. Advance real solutions Investigations should not be political theater — they should lead to legislation. When investigations reveal broken systems, Congress has a duty to fix them with new laws, protections, and oversight. Shine a light on what’s hidden from the public From wage theft to toxic pollution, so much harm happens in the shadows. Investigations are how the people’s House brings the truth to light — especially when other institutions stay silent. Also, the Epstein files need to be released, in full and unredacted, immediately. If elected, I will make sure that happens. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? U.S. Term Limits, Joe Steffen, Elaine Snider, Ken Garrett, Pastor Eric Jackson, Rev. Bob Morgan, Alyssa Sommer, Victor Rendon, Sarah Wicks What committees interest you? The four committees that interest me the most are: 1. House Committee on Appropriations Controls federal spending. Every dollar the government spends passes through this committee. It sets priorities for everything from defense to education to infrastructure. 2. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Oversees a huge range of issues: healthcare, energy policy, consumer protection, climate change, telecommunications, and more. Highly influential in shaping domestic policy. 3. House Committee on Education and the Workforce Covers public education, labor laws, workplace protections, union rights, and worker wages—critical for working families and students. 4. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Responsible for holding the federal government accountable through investigations and oversight of agencies, programs, and public spending. Crucial for transparency and ethics. What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability? I believe financial transparency and government accountability are non-negotiable. Public officials must disclose where money is coming from and how it’s being spent. No secret donors, no backroom deals, and no one—especially elected leaders—should be above the law. I support strict disclosure laws, independent oversight, and real consequences for corruption or misuse of power. Government should serve the people, not the powerful—and the public has a right to know what’s being done in their name and with their money.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]