Ragin Edwards
Occupation: Senior Manager, Global Sales Operations
Previous experience holding elected office: None
Other community service experience: ACLU, Georgia Tech Alumni Association, Technology Association of Georgia, Women in Tech (formerly Girly Geeks), Women in Technology and Sales Management Association.
Why should the voters choose you for this position?
I am a professional and a mother. I have worked for the federal government as well as in the private sector. I graduated high school at Pope High in the 6th, and received the HOPE Scholarship and attended Georgia Tech. I am the only candidate who not only has a plan to effectively deal with the current issues at hand, but I also have a plan that will revolutionize the way our elected officials interact with their constituents. I will be a fighter for transparency in government and make sure the voice of the people is heard.
What is the biggest issue facing the district and how will you address it?
The biggest issues facing the district are the threats to Medicare, Social Security, veterans’ benefits and education. These programs are being defunded and even though we may not feel a huge impact today, we will definitely feel them within the next few months. We have parents and children who depend on these programs, and if we cut access to these benefits, it will hurt us all in the long run.
Tom Price, the former 6th District congressman, was a strong critic of the Affordable Care Act and is now in the Trump administration working to replace it. What is your position on the ACA and will you work with or against Price to replace it?
Many people on both sides of the aisle have agreed that the ACA needs additional work. Kicking people off of this program and denying access to healthcare is not the way to go. We need put our minds together to come to a solution that increases coverage, and decreases premiums. We are the greatest country on this Earth, but the only advanced country that does not have a system that makes healthcare accessible and affordable to everyone.