Today we are continuing our profiles of our favorite Progressive candidates who are running to represent their communities at the state and federal levels, and move the country forward, to continue to ensure that all Americans are equally represented in government.

This week we are profiling Nikki Merritt (she/her/hers). Nikki is a Georgia State Senator representing Gwinnett County. She is a Black progressive Democrat and CWA Local 3204 labor union member. In the Georgia State Senate, she prioritizes healthcare, worker protections, voting rights, and education. She is married with two children.

Where are you based?
I live north of Atlanta in Grayson, Georgia. My District, Georgia Senate District 9, covers Grayson, Dacula, Lawrenceville, Snellville, and Lilburn, located on the east side of Gwinnett County.

What is your position/what position are you running for?
I am currently the state senator for Georgia's 9th district. My seat went unchallenged by any major party for this year's election cycle, meaning I am already slated to serve for the next two years with my term ending in 2024.

Why did you choose the seat?
Gwinnett County is one of the most diverse counties in the nation. The Republican holding the seat prior to me running was no longer a reflection of the district nor was he representing the values of the shifting demographics in the area. As I started engaging with people in the district, many felt like they were not being heard, as if they had no voice in the state legislature fighting for what mattered to them and their families. It was time for someone like me to step up, someone relatable, with shared life experience, with a clear understanding of the needs of the people in the district.

How would you briefly summarize your platform?
A progressive platform prioritizing the needs of regular everyday people with a particular focus on working class families. That includes support for equity in healthcare, housing, education, women's rights, workplace democracy, social justice advocacy and environmental protections.

What inspired you to run?
Listening to people who just felt like the government was not working, who felt unheard and ignored, tired of status quo, establishment governing. Also, families like mine who faced racial adversity and fought for civil rights and justice. Wanting families like mine to have someone relatable, someone to advocate for what really matters, helping them stay engaged in our democracy, and in our local political politics in order to understand how local policies impact their everyday life and how we can work together to make change.

What change are you hoping to bring to your district, state, and country?
Empathy and compassion in our political process and policies.

How long have you been in office? What do you consider to be your major accomplishments so far?
I flipped this seat in 2020 from a historically Republican district, I've been in office two years, serving my first term. My accomplishments include passing my first voter protection bill, supporting legislation for fair taxes and leading the fight for fair redistricting maps.

What do you feel are the most important issues right now, why, and how do you plan to tackle them?
People are worried about affordable housing, the rising cost of being able to put food on the table, and having access to healthcare and gun violence. All of these issues impact safety and quality of life. Economy: we must set a state budget focused on family values and priorities. Affordable housing: we need direct financial assistance to local communities, including a state affordable housing fund to allow each community to access critical resources to meet local challenges. This will include properly deploying the millions in unspent rental assistance disbursed to Georgia. We also need to strengthen renter protections to combat predatory and abusive landlord practices. Healthcare: simply we must expand Medicaid in Georgia. We reduce gun violence by implementing universal background check policies, and reduce guns on the streets by repealing bills like, permitless carry, criminal carry, campus carry.

America is extremely divided these days. How would you hope to bridge that divide with your constituents to better unite Americans?
With conversation and a meaningful exchange of ideas. Everyone just seems angry right now. People aren't even talking to each other in person to see where we might agree or disagree to find common ground. Our texting social media obsessed society is not helping. I think if more people would interact outside of their regular comfortable social groups, have real conversations in person, try to understand one another with empathy, compassion and collaboration we could solve problems.

How would you foresee your unique identity and background to be an asset to you in office?
I come from humble beginnings, I am a working class mom, and black woman raised in the south. I understand adversity, barriers, and the lack of opportunities afforded to some groups and the privilege afforded to others. I understand we are not all coming from an equal playing field. I draw on my background and experiences as the moral framework for how I will vote or debate in favor or against certain legislation drawing from a personal perspective remaining mindful of the way certain changes in law may impact all families across the state.

What is your motto in life?
The glass is always half full, never give up until all options expire.

Where can we find out more about you?
Merritt4georgia.com or follow me on Instagram and Twitter @merritt4ga

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2022 - Nikki Merritt, Georgia State Senate District 9