Primary Election Date: 07/31/2012
General Election Date: 11/06/2012

Who Am I?

I was born in Decatur, Georgia in 1968, my family lived in Lilburn near Lake Lucerne, and I graduated from Shiloh High School in Lithonia. After law school, I moved to Norcross. In April of 2006, I moved to Tucker, Georgia.
I attended American University in Washington, D.C., majoring in International Studies and Broadcast Journalism. I went to law school at Georgia State and passed the Bar in 1993. I practice law, representing government employees (including firefighters and police) and service workers. I currently practice law in Norcross with both business and private clients with a focus on administrative and corporate law.

I have been active in civic affairs. Other affiliations include Gwinnett County Habitat for Humanity, the Sierra Club, Norcross Cooperative Ministries, AID Gwinnett, and the Gwinnett Philharmonic.

I am involved in the Gwinnett County chapter of the Democratic Party of Georgia. In 2002 I ran and won election for the then newly-created District 69 and in 2004 for the State Senate, District 5.

I belong to numerous committees in the Georgia Senate, Appropriations, and Chairman of Special Judiciary, Economic Development and Higher Education. I was one of 4 senators appointed to the Georgia Code Revision Commission and to the Working Families Caucus Vice Chairman in the 2011 Legislative session.

Why Am I Running?

I am running to represent the people of the District 5 and their interests, and to ensure their voices are heard as a progressive Democrat.

I can and have made a difference in the State Senate.

Hold Me Accountable!

As a progressive Democrat in Georgia’s most “Republican County”, two years ago I was targeted for defeat by the Republican Party, but I won. The redistricting that has occurred has left me with less of a Democratic District, but I am sure I can win in 2012.

My top two goals are:

1) To create jobs and an environment of fairness to ensure success for all people.

2) Assist in developing a transportation system that can get people to business and business to people and will put money back into the community where my constituents live.

My DFA values:

My campaign makes sure that the people and their voices count and their voices are heard. I attend many community meetings from neighborhood to local organizations to hear the voices of the people and to represent them in government.

I hear the voices of the people; I fight for their issues and concerns to make life more fair and equitable for the majority of the people and not for the privileged few. My door is always open to my community.

I believe in Democracy, but also for the furthering of real progressive values.

I support progressive Democrats who want to make changes to the political process and make it for the people versus big business and lobbyists.

My Campaign is People-Powered!

I conduct a monthly Citizens Advisory Forum, an open forum that allows for the exchange of ideas, concerns, and issues and allows for feedback from the community.

I maintain an interactive website that provides information about multiple political and community organizations.

The most viewed page on the website is our weekly blog. We also maintain a community calendar on the website.

I use members of the community to work on my campaign for GOTV activities within their neighborhoods and communities.