The issues

Georgia families should make their own healthcare decisions. Full stop.

That includes access to reproductive healthcare, fertility care, and the full range of medical options that allow women to make informed decisions about their own bodies and their families' futures. Politicians in Atlanta should not be making those decisions for us.

Our incumbent voted for Georgia's heartbeat law. I will fight to restore and protect reproductive freedom for every woman in District 49.

As a former educator, I know that great schools change lives. I also know our schools need to keep up with a changing world.

On books and libraries: School librarians, not politicians, should decide what books belong on library shelves. When students can see themselves in the stories they read, they develop a love of reading that lasts a lifetime. Parents and students should work together to decide what's right for their families. Politicians should focus on improving schools, not policing them.

On preparing students for tomorrow's economy: We know that AI is reshaping the workforce, including many traditional professional careers. The jobs of the future will place greater value on skilled trades that require both hands and minds. We need to restore strong vocational education programs in our high schools so students can pursue careers as electricians, plumbers, mechanics, engineers, welders, and more. Just as the STEAM movement prepared students for the digital age, we need to prepare them for what comes next.

On physical health and PE: Growing bodies and minds need time outside the classroom. Studies show that students learn more and experience less stress when they have regular time for physical activity and fresh air. I support expanding PE in our schools because healthy kids are better learners.

On teen mental health: Our teenagers are experiencing an epidemic of anxiety. Between high academic expectations, global instability, and the pressures of growing up in today's world, teens need more support, not less. I will work to expand mental health resources in our schools, including hiring more counselors, so every student has access to the support they need to thrive.

Too many Georgians are one medical bill away from financial crisis, or skipping care entirely because they simply can't afford it.

The CDC, once a crown jewel of Atlanta and a global leader in public health, has been deeply weakened by federal cuts. Georgia cannot afford to let scientific talent walk out the door while research programs disappear. I will work to preserve Georgia's role as a center of public health expertise, including building the kinds of health-data partnerships with other states that keep our public health infrastructure strong.

On health insurance: premiums are too high and coverage is too thin. Georgia should look to states like Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Connecticut, where thoughtful policy has made insurance more affordable and more comprehensive. I'm committed to strengthening Georgia Access so more Georgians can get the reliable coverage they need.

Our community depends on the teachers, nurses, service workers, and first responders who make it run. Too many of them are being priced out of the neighborhoods they serve.

I will work to identify real solutions to expand affordable housing in District 49, including incentives for builders and targeted subsidies to help income-qualified buyers purchase homes in the communities where they work.

I grew up with hunters. I understand and respect responsible gun ownership for hunting, recreation, and personal protection.

And I know that responsible gun owners support commonsense safety measures: universal background checks, red flag laws that allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from people in mental health crisis, safe storage requirements when children are in the home, and waiting periods that provide time for reflection before a purchase is finalized.

These laws make our community safer. I will fight for them.

Our democracy is under real pressure. The best thing any of us can do right now is take care of one another and stay engaged.

I will protect the right to vote in Georgia. I will speak out against injustice. And I will work every day to rebuild the kinds of honest, respectful community conversations that make democracy function.

Global conflicts remind us just how important energy independence is. And how much is at stake when we rely on others for something as fundamental as the power that runs our homes and businesses.

The United States produces more energy at home than ever before, and yet we still depend on imported oil for a significant share of our supply. That's a vulnerability we can address, and Georgia is well positioned to lead the way.

I support investing in clean, renewable energy. I will work to expand solar and wind development here in Georgia, because doing so lowers energy costs for families, strengthens our long-term energy security, and builds a more sustainable future for the communities we're raising our children in.

A healthy democracy depends on citizens who understand how it works and who feel empowered to participate in it.

Civics education has been quietly crowded out of many high school curricula, and we're seeing the consequences. Young people are entering adulthood without a clear understanding of how their government functions, how laws are made, or how their vote connects to the decisions that shape their daily lives.

I believe every high school student in Georgia should graduate with a genuine working knowledge of our democratic institutions: how to engage with elected officials, how to evaluate information critically, and why civic participation matters. An informed, engaged citizenry isn't just good for democracy. It's good for our communities.

I will work to strengthen civic education requirements in Georgia high schools so that the next generation of Georgians is ready, not just for the workforce, but for the responsibilities of citizenship.

I grew up in a Christian home, and the verse that has guided my life is simple: love thy neighbor as thyself. (Mark 12:31)

I believe every person deserves the freedom to live and love as they see fit. I will support policies that protect that freedom for every resident of District 49.