Elections 2024: Tennessee should strive to improve poor voter turnout
The Tennessean Opinion and Engagement Director David Plazas encourages voters to cast their ballots in the Aug. 1, 2024 primary election in Tennessee.
Editor’s note: The Tennessean Editorial Board invited candidates for the 2024 congressional elections to fill out our questionnaire. They include biographical information and answers to 11 questions on variety of topics from key policy issues to their recommendation for visitors on what to see or do in their congressional districts.
Election Guide: Learn about candidates running in Aug. 1 Tennessee primary election for U.S. Congress
Key dates:
July 2: Voter registration deadlineJuly 12-27: Early votingJuly 25: Deadline to request absentee ballotAug. 1: Primary electionNov. 5: General electionBiographical InformationName: Maryam AbolfazliWhich office are you seeking? U.S. House of Representatives, District 5. Democrat (unopposed in the primary).Age at the time of election: 45What city/town in Tennessee do you live in? NashvilleEducation: BA International Relations, Oglethorpe University Masters in Public Affairs Columbia University School of International and Public AffairsJob history: Executive roles with several nonprofits, including Project Return, Brave New Software, Millions of Conversations, and Atlas Project. Middle East North Africa Director for Eurasia Foundation (9 years). Assistant to Minister of Water Resources, Irrigation and Environment Afghanistan (seconded to the Ministry by United Nations Office of Project Services)Family: Son – Auden11 questions for the candidates
Why are you running for this office?
Tennessean voices are not being heard in D.C. I will hear them and I will work for them. I want to make people’s lives better. I’m running to protect a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions, to protect our children from gun violence, and to ensure that every Tennessean can make ends meet.
I know what it’s like to worry about whether or not you can provide for your family and I share the fear that too many parents have when dropping their kids off at school – the fear that their child may not return home. I know that women are in crisis having had their reproductive freedoms stripped and I know that the draconian laws coming from our current representatives are causing friends and families to leave our beloved Tennessee behind. I’m running because I believe that together our voices can be heard and change can be achieved.
What makes you qualified to hold this office and better qualified than your opponent(s)?
You can count on the fact that I will do the hard work that’s required to improve the quality of life not only for those that vote for me, but for those who don’t. I love what our district (CD-5) has to offer, the people, the beauty of Tennessee and this country. I bridge unconnected and divided worlds, I fight to understand the complexity of every challenge. I’m a fighter by nature. I will fight for the truth and for what is right.
In my career, I have never backed down from any challenge, whether rebuilding infrastructure in Afghanistan after decades of war, calling out discrimination in Metro or fighting for gun safety.
I’ve worked around the world to organize and create opportunities for women and our youth. I helped to give structure to educational programs, entrepreneurship and infrastructure programs. I have analyzed and researched issues facing democracy, wages, education and women’s freedoms. This is not just a job or a skill set, for me these are values that were instilled in me at a young age. I’m qualified because it takes a genuine leader, with passion and a commitment to service, to lead.
My opponent (incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, running in the Republican primary) has continuously praised himself for introducing 100 pieces of legislation. Not one of those bills would do anything to make people’s lives better. Not one would help to defend the rights of women, make Tennessee more affordable or protect our children. Not one of those pieces of legislation moved forward beyond the introduction. He does not care to do the work to get a bill passed. In fact, he prefers to simply stoke anxieties with outlandish bill titles that will never see the light of day. Instead he admittedly lies on his financial disclosures and skips work in DC to go to New York City to appear at a criminal proceeding.
This is not what the voters of the 5th District put him in office to do. Congress is a tool to make lives better and he brings forth legislation without any care for his constituents. It’s clear that he doesn’t take his oath of office seriously. The people of the 5th district deserve better. They deserve a leader that will listen and who will fight to improve their lives. I am that leader.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office
Women’s reproductive freedom, gun safety and affordability. But there is more to do. We need to make sure that healthcare is affordable and the price of prescription drugs, especially for the elderly and those with chronic conditions, does not continue to deplete family budgets.
We must ensure our natural resources, like the Duck River, are not exploited and are protected. That serious challenges like comprehensive immigration reform aren’t just a campaign issue.
We need to address the need for more affordable housing so that people who want to, can continue to live in Tennessee.
What are you hearing most from voters about what they want you to accomplish, if elected?
Every event I attend. Every phone call I’m on. Every time I meet someone new, I’m asked about women’s freedoms, making ends meet and/or gun safety. Without fail. Most recently, voters have been asking me about arming teachers in schools and the potential for accidental shootings. Voters want to be heard, they want confidence in their leaders, they want to be able to trust them and most of all they want their representatives to fight for them.
Are you satisfied with the direction of the country? Explain why.
We have made great strides, but there is more to be done. I’ve spoken about the need to better protect our children with stronger gun laws, to protect a woman’s right to make her own healthcare choices and to make lives easier for families in Tennessee who are finding it difficult to make ends meet.
But, it’s clear that our democracy is in peril. Driven by extremists, who are more interested in conflict than in country. Their voice drowns out those who want to work to find common ground. Their voice even drowns out their own Republican party. Our ideals and values are the foundation on which this country was built and this extremist agenda is threatening our first amendment rights, women’s freedoms and they judicial system. It has done nothing to protect our children and address the flood of firearms onto our streets, nothing to work towards a solution to an immigration solution and stoked hatred.
Irrefutable is that the 118th Congress is the worst in nearly 100 years. In its first year they passed less than 40 pieces of legislation, the least since the Great Depression. Its dysfunction has caused more than 40 House members to retire. It’s time to put an end to this dysfunction, division, and ineffectiveness and elect leaders that lead.
What is your assessment of the performance of the President Joe Biden over the last four years?
The Biden Administration has been responsible for policies that have benefited the middle class including the Child Tax Credit, which helped to significantly decrease poverty. He’s passed a bi-partisan infrastructure bill that has brought 2.8 billion to Tennessee, creating jobs. He has reduced the cost of prescription drugs, by allowing Medicare to negotiate its own drug prices and capped the cost of insulin at $35/month. He’s given us the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years and has created nearly 3 million jobs for Black and brown workers and has made the largest investment in green energy in history.
However, I’m disappointed in his administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war. He’s been ineffective in steering (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu towards a ceasefire and thereby failing to secure the return of the hostages.
How should the U.S. approach foreign policy goals as it pertains to regions, nations and conflicts such as China, Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war?
CHINA: China has one goal, to prop up their own economy, off the backs of the American consumer. Their practices, including the theft of intellectual property and trade secrets, threatens American industry, manufacturing and jobs. I applaud the recent U.S. tariffs on China, which are essential to the protection and growth of local manufacturing like the new $2.3 billion General Motors car battery plant in Spring Hill. In addition, China is the world’s leading climate polluter. Their practices have made them the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gas. We must ensure their cooperation in order to address climate change. Further, we must put an end to the threat that China poses on our Democracy and the human rights of those who stand in contrast to their authoritarian beliefs.UKRAINE: Putin is a threat to democracy, to world stability, and to state sovereignty. The way that he has attacked a truly democratic nation with aims to control it is in violation of international law. I’ve been shocked at how Congress has dragged its feet in support of Ukraine, but that it was finally approved. The US must continue to support Ukraine so as to not embolden Putin’s aggressive agenda that threatens our NATO allies.Netanyahu-HAMAS WAR: The one thing I’ve heard from both Jewish and Muslim communities is their deep concern for the innocent men, women and children who have lost their lives in this war. As I’ve said from the beginning, there is no path to peace without a ceasefire. The hostages taken by Hamas must be brought home and the obliteration of Gaza put to an end. Netanyahu and Hamas can do this, and the United States, as well as the rest of the international community, must do everything in its power to steer them in this direction.
Americans in recent polling say immigration is one of the top issues, if not the most important issue, facing the U.S. What should Congress do to address the immigration and border security?
Republican and Democrat Congress’ have sought comprehensive immigration reform for decades. But, instead of working together to find a solution, Congress has used it as a talking point to stoke fear and division. We have an overwhelming number of people at our border, unacceptable conditions impacting border agents and migrants and more than 3 million cases pending. We are ill-equipped to handle these challenges. A real solution was proposed with bipartisan support which included systems, personnel, and caps to how many people could come into was agreed upon and then thwarted by extremist Republicans in the House so they can use it in the election.
The American people need to evaluate their representatives and ask why they won’t attack this issue head-on by supporting common sense immigration reform that will give them the reform they seek.
What else do you want voters to know about you that will help them make an informed decision on Election Day?
I’m grateful to my parents, who taught me the value of sacrifice, the courage to be your authentic self, the importance of hard work and family. They are values that guide me and that I hope I can instill in my son.
A “fun” question: When visitors ask you, “What should I do in Tennessee or your specific community?” what are the top 2 or 3 things or places you recommend?
A hike at Radnor Lake or Edwin Warner. A trip to Columbia Square for some shopping, food and drink. Fruit tea in Green Hills. Some food in any of the incredible restaurants along Nolensville Pike.
Will you commit to being civil in how you present yourself and the way you interact with opponents and others? (Our definition of civility is being a good, active, honest and respectable citizen)Yes
Call Opinion and Engagement Director David Plazas at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or find him on X at @davidplazas.
Source link : https://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/editorials/2024/07/01/tennessee-election-congress-maryam-abolfazli-house-district-5/74268649007/
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Publish date : 2024-07-01 19:02:17
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