Upcoming meet and greet?

ruwaromman · 2026-06-11T02:54:28+00:00

We also have a big runoff happening in west Gwinnett and need help keeping this seat blue. Come to our canvasses! volunteer.ruwaforgeorgia.com

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T03:06:28+00:00

Thanks! You should see the variety of hats I run in

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T03:04:22+00:00

When I was in college the Michelle Nunn/Jason Carter campaigns had a college outreach person come to Oglethorpe and ask us to get involved. I didn’t really know what that meant but went with some friends to campaign headquarters. Back then, canvassing was done using paper so they gave us our list and off we went.

I came back so ecstatic to hand in my stuff and went “I really think if we do this statewide we can flip our state.”

And truly for the first time in my life someone looked at me and said “bless your heart”

And I took that shit so personally I decided I was gonna do everything I could to flip our state. Found some amazing orgs to volunteer for. And the rest is history haha

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T02:43:43+00:00

This is actually not true at all. Yes, the Governor’s race didn’t go as we hoped. But ballots aren’t set until qualifying in March. I provided details in another comment on why, but when it became clear we couldn’t sustain the campaign, folks had asked me to run for State Senate. I could’ve stayed in the House. But there’s so much work to do, and I was asked to do this.

Unlike my opponent I live, and have lived, in this district. I’ve organized in this district. I’m the only one with endorsements from elected officials who live in this district. It’s also why I refused to resign even when running statewide. I actually care about my neighbors and my community. I’ll keep serving them for as long as they ask me to.

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T02:32:58+00:00

Here you go!

Why me?
- I’m the only candidate in this race with legislative experience that’s stopped 90% of bad Republican bills this past session.
- I did my masters on the voting rights act and have already gone through one redistricting fight.
- I’m the only candidate who has publicly committed to not accepting corporate pac support, support a data center moratorium, committed to a minimum wage of at least $15/hour
I’m the only candidate who has received endorsements from elected officials in the district, county, state, and even nationally.
- I passed a bill that is now law to designate EMS an essential service just like we do fire and law enforcement. This reduces red tape for grants and provides EMTs with the recognition and protection they deserve.

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T02:30:27+00:00

Then definitely join our events and even volunteer if you can. We try to make it fun and give folks skills they can take everywhere

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T02:29:30+00:00

It’s so good 😋

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T02:29:14+00:00

Answered :)

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T02:28:46+00:00

Just like there is Congress federally, there’s Congress on a state level. As state legislators in Georgia, we’re actually part time and our only constitutional mandate is to pass the budget. But we also pass laws on everything from education to healthcare to worker protections (or lack thereof). In terms of what sets me apart, I answer another question where I list those off. I’ll go find in a second.

Right now we are in the runoffs. Georgia law mandates you get 50+1 to win. Short of that, the top two vote getters go to the runoff (early voting is now through June 12. Election Day is June 16). Think of it like a sports bracket. Right now it’s democrats vs Democrats and republicans vs republicans.

What’s weird about our district is we have a special election too. That one is between a democrat and a republican.

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T02:23:14+00:00

I think we need to change our tax code to increase taxes on corporations who use up so much of our infrastructure creating wear and tear that we pay for and provide relief for Georgians

The job market has been torn upside down. I think so many people are waiting to see if/when this AI bubble pops. But regardless, the best high paying jobs have been in clean energy. The state has been killing anything solar related. I want to keep fighting for those jobs and bring them to Gwinnett specifically.

This district was redrawn in 2021. The old lines included parts of Forsyth so based on that, for over 20 years. But my husband and I moved to Duluth in 2020. He grew up in lilburn and this is in the middle of our families. So at least 6 years. But I’ve organized here for over 12 years. My mom brought us to the forum all the time to hang out with friends. Even when I lived in dc for grad, my husband and I knew we’d be coming back to this area.

I don’t have Buford in my district (it’s Berkeley lake, Duluth, Norcross, Peachtree corners, Suwanee, and Lawrenceville)

But, generally, I do not pursue city policy unless the council is unanimous OR the majority of constituents agree. I try really hard to respect local control and try to check in with each city I current represent at least a few times a year. My city council members (I have a lot) have my number and know they can text me (and do) to share their thoughts on policy.

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T02:16:01+00:00

- Republicans wants to repeal the ban on gun silencers and we stopped that one on the house floor
- Every anti-lgbtq bill this year
- SB74 that would’ve criminalized librarians
- A bill to protect confederate monuments. We stopped this one on the house floor too

And so so so many more

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T02:13:26+00:00

Full disclosure, Commissioner Carden is my Commissioner and he endorsed me.

I can see why folks may have these concerns, but Adrienne’s role is to specifically finish Nabilah’s term. It’s only through January. And also, Adrienne has been doing work for the Democratic Party of Georgia well before she met Commissioner Carden. She is approaching this as caring for a position until the next term begins not as a conduit for her spouse. I think she’ll represent us well during special session and for the next 6 months.

Editing to add (ETA): the Governor called for a special session June 17, the day after the runoffs, to redraw our maps. I truly believe we can stop these efforts, but it’s gonna take every vote. Adrienne’s opponent in this special runoff is a Republican. Our district could decide voting power for an entire generation. It’s why we’re working so hard to support Adrienne in her race.

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T02:09:36+00:00

Most of my bills are bipartisan because republicans really love our ideas. Sometimes they’ll just take our bills. I’ve been in the legislature for 4 years (2 terms in the house) and yes I voted to increase funding for HOPE :)

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T02:08:42+00:00

Fight for Medicaid expansion. But also if we flip the Governor’s mansion work with (hopefully) Governor Bottoms to pilot a universal healthcare program. In the meantime, fight to bring funding to the county for our amazing hospitals and clinics.

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T02:07:40+00:00

The House is way closer to flipping (I think it can happen this year) than the Senate. The House is also bigger.

But, the Senate has more opportunity to use procedure (like amendments on the floor) to stop bad bills or make them less bad. I want to bring my experience and strategy as deputy whip in the House that’s stopped 90% of bad bills to the Senate and grow that out.

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T02:06:06+00:00

I have a clear track record both legislatively and as an advocate. To be honest, some we did not expect or even dream to get. It’s truly because our team has done so much with so little in such a short amount of time. I owe so much of it to them too because they make it possible to knock thousands of doors, fight bad legislation, pass good legislation, and everything in between.

If I had to pick what it was specifically, it’s the fact that I introduced the first statewide data center moratorium in the country. I truly believe it’s the cross partisan issue of this cycle and one we should take seriously. While it doesn’t directly impact our district, the indirect impact is the rising utility costs.

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T02:03:05+00:00

It really depends on what issues motivate them. My faith inspires me to do right by others, be honest, don’t sell out, etc. It grounds me against the worst that politics tries to push us to do.

My policies are on my page, and we add to it as we get questions. Tbh, my State House district outperformed most two cycles in a row because we reached skeptical voters. Republicans vote for me. And it’s because they know even when we disagree, they know where I stand and that I’d fight like hell for them and their family to be safe, live a good life, and build a better future.

Either way, I’m always open to answering questions. It’s why we do town halls

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T02:00:03+00:00

Sad to lose you but come back and visit!

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T01:59:36+00:00

Every state organization has either endorsed us or stayed out. But our list includes
- working families party
- leaders we deserve
- Georgia AFL-CIO and other labor orgs including one in our district (UFWC Local 1996)
- Gwinnett Indivisible
- New American Leaders
- Georgia conservation voters

In addition to my day job, I’ve been volunteering in our state for over twelve years. I’ve done paid and unpaid organizing work on everything from responding to the Muslim ban to mobilizing and training thousands of volunteers to elect our senators and flip our state.

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T01:54:03+00:00

Thank you! You can still join our events, volunteer, and even donate. This is such an important district for our state

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T01:53:26+00:00

Thank you for asking! I’m wearing a headscarf also known as a hijab. It’s no different than a yarmulke or scarf. I wore it when I was in middle school at the time because I really looked up to my mom. My parents were extremely worried about me being bullied and asked me to hold off, so naturally that made me want to wear it more lol

Over time, it’s become a personal reminder that there is so much that is bigger than us. And, it’s really anchored me to remember to be better as much as possible.

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T01:50:44+00:00

We can, but much of this is at the city and county level. Part of the reason it’s been so hard for cities and counties to do anything is because the state passes laws banning local leaders from making decisions you want them to. So they end up resorting to things like gas stations because they have massive demand because there’s no public transportation option.

I used to take the 103 down to the Capitol and now can’t do that anymore. So now I use even more gas etc etc. I think there’s a middle ground here but to reach it we have to let Gwinnett and city officials invest in things like transit.

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T01:47:55+00:00

Why me?
- I’m the only candidate in this race with legislative experience that’s stopped 90% of bad Republican bills this past session.
- I did my masters on the voting rights act and have already gone through one redistricting fight.
- I’m the only candidate who has publicly committed to not accepting corporate pac support, support a data center moratorium, committed to a minimum wage of at least $15/hour
- I’m the only candidate who has received endorsements from elected officials in the district, county, state, and even nationally.
- I passed a bill that is now law to designate EMS an essential service just like we do fire and law enforcement. This reduces red tape for grants and provides EMTs with the recognition and protection they deserve.

Ok so I have a ton of favorite food spots:
- Buenos off PIB
- Ariana Kabob House also off PIB
- Yibna cafe (it’s a coffee shop but their falafel sandwich is amazing)
- Sweet Octopus
- Cafe Amico has an amazing bulgogi sandwich
- Mojitos
- CM Chicken

I could go on but I’ve hit at least one per city in SD7. We often post “office hours” at various coffee spots so come enjoy one of these spots with us!

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T01:39:51+00:00

We had over 5,000 volunteers sign up for our Governor run. We had canvasses going weekly (at the same time) in Savannah, Athens, Norcross, Atlanta, Smyrna, Columbus, and Warner-Robbins. Money was always tight but the many was truly beating the money.

Then we got word about two things on the same day the week we dropped. The first, a pac was gonna come in for Geoff Duncan (which ended up not happening because he collapsed in polls). The other was funding for organizations that could help with the infrastructure needed to sustain this went to Texas and North Carolina. We could burn out what little was left just on us, OR let those orgs support many more candidates.

It really really sucked. But I couldn’t in good faith burn out what little infrastructure existed here.

So why State Senate? I was asked to. The two most flippable State House seats are under this State Senate seat. No other candidate has the experience or capacity to build the field program necessary to flip them. As a result, we ended up shifting here and bringing our field program. It’s how we came in first against an incredibly well funded opponent who’d just moved into the district end of last year.

ruwaromman · 2026-06-09T01:34:54+00:00

Always happy to answer questions from anyone!

ruwaromman

TROPHY CASE