Meet Ashwin Ramaswami | Candidate for Georgia State Senate, District 48

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashwin Ramaswami and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashwin, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was born and raised in Johns Creek, GA, and I owe my success to the resources, support, and stability that this community gave me. I decided to run for office for Georgia Senate District 48 in order to make a difference in my community and ensure that others will have access to opportunities that empower them to succeed, as I did.

I also bring a fresh, unique perspective to the state legislature to address issues that matter. I come from a fairly untraditional political background: I would be the first Indian American legislator in Georgia; the first with a background in computer science and law; and the first Gen Z Georgia state senator. In starting this journey, I aim to set a precedent for others to follow and give back to their communities.

Moreover, I decided to run because I saw the need for more integrity in public office. The district’s incumbent state senator has been criminally indicted for his involvement in overturning the results of the 2020 election. I built a career off of election security, working in the federal government under both Presidents Trump and Biden to secure our elections. I firmly believe that voting rights are fundamental to American democracy, especially in this era of extremism and partisan division. His actions directly undermined the power of my vote, and that of our family, friends, and neighbors, which is unacceptable.

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I am the only candidate born and raised in this district, and I believe I can bring a fresh, unique perspective to the state legislature to focus on these issues that matter. In this district specifically, I want to bolster education, enhance economic security, and improve public safety and wellbeing.

We can begin by giving schools and teachers more resources, paying teachers more, as well as giving students more opportunities for success by expanding the HOPE Scholarship and Dual Enrollment programs. We can attract more high-paying jobs; make our business environment more conducive to innovation; and help small businesses and startups grow. We can protect reproductive rights, expand Medicaid, improve MARTA, pass commonsense gun laws, and expand mental health services.

All of these issues are possible at the state level, particularly given that Georgia has $11 billion in surplus cash. But why haven’t they been done yet? We need people in office with the right long-term vision to help move this district and our state forward.

How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy?
The foundation of my success will always be my upbringing and values. I am a proud Hindu, which, to me, means living a life of honesty, integrity, and service. Growing up, I was always taught the importance of giving more than what you take, and I try to embody that in everything I do. My upbringing also taught me the importance of giving more

I also grew up in an exceptional education system. My high school was committed to supporting its students and providing exciting, new opportunities. As a high school senior, I dual enrolled at Georgia Tech, one of the best public universities in the nation. It wasn’t always easy; the commute was long and tiring, as I took the MARTA bus to North Springs and MARTA train to Midtown; but it was incredibly rewarding in the end.

After high school, I attended Stanford, where I studied computer science. I became involved in tech entrepreneurship and met so many interesting and inspiring people. However, I wanted to use my skills to serve the public. I began working at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, where we worked on keeping critical national infrastructure and our elections secure from cyberattacks. I also began my law degree at Georgetown and worked on technology law and policy, including consumer protection as a fellow at the Georgia Attorney General’s office.

Throughout these experiences, I’ve really learned the value of people and community. Our families, friends, coworkers, the people we interact with daily, have an immeasurable impact on our lives. Everyone brings a unique and invaluable perspective, and we can learn so much from each other if we sit down and listen. But I’ve also learned about how we can make our communities better if we work together. I want to make sure I’m centering the people in everything I do, especially in public office.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There’s a huge variety of places to go! Johns Creek and the northern suburbs have so many interesting small businesses and restaurants to visit. I personally love the Arepita Café, a Venezuelan restaurant right by home near State Bridge Road. There are of course tons of Indian restaurants around, such as Madras Chettinaad. Loving Hut is also great over in Peachtree Corners! The parks are really good as well, whether that’s by the river at Jones Bridge Park or the trails at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve.

In midtown, Georgia Tech’s campus is a beautiful place to visit, and there are often events around science and technology that are always interesting to go to. If you’re going downtown, you’ve got to visit Auburn Avenue, which has both the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center there – and a Gandhi statue – and the Ebenezer Baptist Church. It’s a great place to go to reflect on our country’s civil rights history and Atlanta’s role in it. Take MARTA down to Five Points and then Georgia State, then check out the Georgia Capitol and the Twin Towers State Buildings as well, to see where many of our state employees go to work every day. Farther south of the airport, I’d suggest visiting the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, a major religious center for the Metro Atlanta Hindu community with great architecture and community.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My twin brother Arvind! We grew up together, and he has been a great companion and friend throughout my life. I’m so fortunate to have someone who has supported me in whatever I have done!

Website: https://ashwinforgeorgia.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashwinforga/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashwin-r/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ashwinforga

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Ashwin-for-State-Senate/61554763610960/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkyH02SCeoXdSoWIEiQ7mAA