United States Congressional candidate Devin Pandy was in town last Thursday to address the Gilmer County Democratic Committee.
Pandy, along with fellow Democrat Brooke Siskin, are in a runoff for Georgia’s 9th Congressional District.
Following opening statements by Gilmer County Democratic Committee Chair Melba Gandy, Pandy addressed the 20 or so in attendance who gathered on the committee’s grounds in East Ellijay.
“Instead of telling you why you should vote for me I’m going to tell you why I’m running in the hopes that my reasons for running will become your reasons to vote for me,” said Pandy, who comes from a military family and is a 21-year U.S. Army combat veteran.
“I’ve been retired now for six years, but the call to serve my country has remained strong. The call to duty is now a trifold mission for me. As I not only continue my oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, but to also restore honor and integrity to Congress and to champion progress for rural Georgia.”
Pandy is in favor of universal healthcare that also gives people the freedom to seek private health insurance.
“Healthcare should not be tied to employment, and no one should lose their health insurance because their employer goes out of business,” he said. “I’m running because the economic policies of the current administration and GOP have favored the rich while leaving the middle, lower and working classes to pay for more than their fair share while struggling to support their families.”
Immigration reform is also one of Pandy’s main platforms. He supports “the creation of a more accurate visa tracking system” and “expedited processing of immigration and silent applications and the development pathways to citizenship for undocumented residents.”
He is in favor of adopting the Green New Deal or “anything else that allows us to combat global warming while providing hundreds of thousands of jobs to Americans.”
Pandy supports a $15 minimum wage and ensuring all can exercise their Constitutional right to vote. He supports the Second Amendment, and noted, “There must be well-regulated guidance ensuring when an American exercises this right it does not encumber the rights and safety of other Americans exercising their other rights.”
Pandy also touched on the current situation in the country regarding civil unrest.
“I am running because I want all lives to matter,” he said. “I want to see an America where we truly accept, care for and treat with fairness and respect those who are different than us.
“We cannot say ‘all lives matter’ until we’re ready to proclaim in our words and our deeds that black lives matter, Native American lives matter, gay lives matter and women’s lives matter. Until the importance of these and other marginalized groups are reflected in our laws and society, I will continue to fight for each and every one of you.”
Siskin was also scheduled to speak, but a family medical emergency forced her to cancel the appearance at the last minute.
Gilmer County Democratic Committee Vice Chair Tom White shared Siskin’s platform with those in attendance.
“Brooke Siskin has lived in Georgia for 28 years,” White said. “She has been a small-business owner, as well as a passionate advocate for several causes. She began her career in politics in 2008 working as a field coordinator for the 44th president of the United State Barack Obama.
“Over the past 12 years she’s helped many local politicians get elected to office. She also organized fundraisers throughout Gwinnett County for the homeless and faith-based organizations. Last year, she worked for organizing ‘Go Gwinnett,’ the bipartisan group supporting alternative transportation.”
White added, “Brooke’s legislative priorities as listed online are affordable housing options for low-income families and persons with disabilities, affordable healthcare for all who need it and transparent government that gives everyone a voice in Washington.”
Voting for Georgia’s 9th Congressional District runoff will take place Aug. 11.