Ballotpedia: Ruwa Romman

Ruwa was born in Jordan. Ruwa graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Politics from Oglethorpe University in 2015 and a Master's in Public Policy from Georgetown University in 2019. 

Ruwa is a senior consultant with Deloitte. She also has experience as a Communications Director with CAIR-Georgia, and a development coordinator with Points of Light. 

Ruwa Romman is the Georgia House of Representative for District 97. She is currently serving her first term. 

Candidate website

Said, "وقد أدى النقص في الخدمات العامة... لمواجهة الكثير من التحدي الإيجاد فرص اقتصادية متاحة... نحن بحاجة إلى نهج شامل يخلق فرصاً جديدة للجميع، والقيام بحماية العمال، وزيادة برامج التلمذة الصناعية، وتمكين الشركات الصغيرة من الازدهار..."

The candidate's website says, "A person without children needs to make at least $16.72/hour to afford living in Gwinnett yet Georgia's minimum wage has not changed from $7.25... Additionally, lack of public services... and inadequate workforce development programs, have created a chasm for many when it comes to economic opportunity."

Wants to increase minimum wage. 
The candidate's website says, "A person without children needs to make at least $16.72/hour to afford living in Gwinnett yet Georgia's minimum wage has not changed from $7.25... Additionally, lack of public services... and inadequate workforce development programs, have created a chasm for many when it comes to economic opportunity."

The candidate's website says, "자녀가 없는 사람이 Gwinnett에서 생활하려면 시간당 최소 $16.72를 벌어야 하는데 조지아의 최저 임금은 $7.25에서 변경되지 않았습니다. ... 불충분한 인력 개발 프로그램은 경제적 기회와 관련하여 많은 사람들에게 틈을 만들었습니다."

The candidate's website says, "Lack of public services like public transportation and childcare, along with inadequate workforce development programs, have created a chasm for many when it comes to economic opportunity... It's time to protect workers, increase apprenticeship programs, empower small businesses to thrive, and provide childcare support."

The candidate's website says, "Support an income tax rebate that will put money back into the pockets of Georgians"

The candidate's website says, "Empower small businesses to thrive"

Plans to pursue tax relief in the State Legislature to alleviate the high property tax burden on homeowners and businesses, exacerbated by the cost of living crisis, as experienced by Ruwa's family and others in Gwinnett.

The candidate's website says, "Address taxes, fees, and red tape that harm consumers and our business community"

Believes that to live in Gwinnett without children, one needs $16.72/hour, far above Georgia's stagnant minimum wage. Identifies inadequate public services and workforce programs as barriers to economic opportunity, advocating for measures to bridge the economic gap.

Plans to focus on economic opportunity as she believes there are a "lack of public services like public transportation and childcare along with inadequate workforce development programs."

The candidate's website says, "Raise the minimum wage"

Believes high property taxes during a cost of living crisis unfairly burden homeowners and businesses, hindering families from affording homes in Gwinnett; plans to pursue tax relief for homeowners and small businesses in the State Legislature.

Plans to return any surplus's in state budget to taxpayers. 

The candidate's website says, "Expand upon the Georgia Equal Pay Act and close Georgia’s gender pay gap entirely"

Wants to expand upon the Georgia Equal Pay Act and close Georgia’s gender pay gap. 

The candidate's website says, "Return the state budget surplus to taxpayers"

Wants to lower property taxes for homeowners and small businesses.  

The candidate's website says, "Suspend the sales taxes on essential items for families like baby strollers, home appliances, and children’s books"

Wants to suspend the sales taxes on items she considers essential for families like baby strollers, home appliances, and children’s books. 

The candidate's website says, "Expand the Homestead exemption and work to deliver property tax relief that benefits homeowners and small businesses"

Plans to expand the Homestead exemption and work to deliver property tax relief that benefits homeowners and small businesses. 

The candidate's website says, "Advocate for more worker protections"

The candidate's website says, "Invest in infrastructure, including public transit"

Wants to invest in infrastructure and public transit. 

The candidate's website says, "Reduce wasteful spending and inefficiencies in government"

Wants to "reduce wasteful spending and inefficiencies in government."

Wants to protect workers, expand apprenticeship programs, support small businesses, and provide childcare support as she suggests that helps create opportunities for all. 

- Plans to focus on economic opportunity as she believes there are a "lack of public services like public transportation and childcare along with inadequate workforce development programs."
- Wants to raise minimum wage. 
- Plans to return any surplus's in state budget to taxpayers. 
- Wants to expand upon the Georgia Equal Pay Act and close Georgia’s gender pay gap. 
- Wants to lower property taxes for homeowners and small businesses.  
- Wants to suspend the sales taxes on items she considers essential for families like baby strollers, home appliances, and children’s books. 
- Plans to expand the Homestead exemption and work to deliver property tax relief that benefits homeowners and small businesses. 
- Advocates for more worker protections. 
- Wants to invest in infrastructure and public transit. 
- Wants to "reduce wasteful spending and inefficiencies in government."
- Wants to protect workers, expand apprenticeship programs, support small businesses, and provide childcare support as she suggests that helps create opportunities for all. 

Economy

The candidate's website says, "Georgia is ranked among the most vulnerable states in regard to climate change, and least prepared in terms of dealing with public health impacts of a climate crisis. We must support climate change policy at every level of government including:"

The candidate's website says, "Transition energy sector jobs to well-paying union and green jobs"

The candidate's website says, "Cut emissions from fossil fuels to zero, and transition Georgia to a net zero carbon economy emphasizing clean energy and green transportation"

Wants to cut emissions from fossil fuels to zero, and transition Georgia to a net zero carbon economy emphasizing clean energy and green transportation"

The candidate's website says, "Support Atlanta’s commitment to reach 100% clean energy by 2035 and work to expand this approach to our district"

The candidate's website says, "Increase transparency by requiring local governments to post contents of environmental effects reports on their websites"

Believes that Georgia's population growth to 14.5 million by 2030 and the health of its economy are tied to environmental sustainability and that climate change will have costly, widespread impacts, including disrupted supply chains and business operations.

The candidate's website says, "Expand EV tax credits and expand public transportation"

Supports comprehensive climate policy, advocates for Georgia's transition to a net-zero carbon economy, and endorses the shift to unionized green jobs with a focus on racial equality in addressing climate change impacts.

Supports policies supporting climate change, and investing in well-paying union and green jobs and shifting Georgia to becoming a net zero carbon economy. 

The candidate's website says, "Support climate policies which center racial parity, including the Georgia Environmental Justice Act of 2021"

Said she "Supports climate policies which center racial parity, including the Georgia Environmental Justice Act of 2021."

The candidate's website says, "Support the Congressional legislation introduced by Senators Ossoff & Warnock to protect the Chattahoochee River, and work on efforts to protect Georgia’s other key waterways"

Supports prior legislation aimed to protect the Chattahoochee River and Georgia’s other key waterways. 

The candidate's website says, "Climate change is one of the most pressing and expansive existential threats of our time, and its impacts will ripple across every area of people's lives."

Said "Climate change is one of the most pressing and expansive existential threats of our time, and its impacts will ripple across every area of people's lives."

- Supports policies supporting climate change, and investing in well-paying union and green jobs and shifting Georgia to becoming a net zero carbon economy. 
- Said she "Supports climate policies which center racial parity, including the Georgia Environmental Justice Act of 2021."
- Supports prior legislation aimed to protect the Chattahoochee River and Georgia’s other key waterways. 
- Said "Climate change is one of the most pressing and expansive existential threats of our time, and its impacts will ripple across every area of people's lives."
- Supports the Green New Deal.

Energy & the Environment

The candidate's website says, "Our healthcare system is being pushed to the brink because of COVID-19... Georgia’s hospitals are shutting down because Republican lawmakers won’t expand Medicaid... We need to expand Medicaid to give our communities the care they need. Every Georgian deserves affordable and accessible healthcare."

The candidate's website says, "Our healthcare system is being pushed to the brink because of COVID-19... We must ensure that every Georgian has access to affordable, quality healthcare..."

Said, "I believe that healthcare must be affordable, accessible, and comprehensive for every individual. It is essential to everyone’s well-being, and we must improve it."

The candidate's website says, "Nuestro sistema de salud está al límite debido al COVID-19. Además, los hospitales de Georgia están cerrando. Debemos asegurarnos de que todos los georgianos tengan acceso a una atención médica asequible y de calidad. Esto incluye:"

Said, "Creo que la asistencia médica debe ser asequible, accesible y completa para todas las personas. Es esencial para el bienestar de todos, y debemos mejorarlo."

Said, "COVID-19로 인해 우리 의료 시스템이 위기에 처해 있습니다. 또한 조지아의 병원도 문을 닫고 있습니다. 우리는 모든 조지아인이 저렴하고 양질의 의료 서비스를 받을 수 있도록 보장해야 합니다. 여기에는 다음이 포함됩니다."

The candidate's website says, "Apoyar el acceso a los servicios de salud mental"

The candidate's website says, "Supporting access to mental health services"

The candidate's website says, "Work on expanding access in all sectors for people with disabilities, including ensuring equitable healthcare access for all people"

Plans to work on expanding healthcare access for people with disabilities, including ensuring equitable healthcare access for all people. 

Supports expanding Medicaid in Georgia, citing COVID-19 strain on healthcare and hospital closures. Advocates for affordable, accessible healthcare for all, including full access to reproductive services like abortion.

Supports expanding Medicaid in Georgia and advocates for affordable and accessible healthcare for all Georgian's. 

The candidate's website says, "Reducing maternal mortality rates and ensuring full access to reproductive healthcare services including abortions"

The candidate's website says, "Advocating for access to quality dental and vision insurance"

Advocates for access to quality dental and vision insurance. 

The candidate's website says, "Increase support for mental health and substance abuse treatment in our community"

Wants to increase support for mental health and substance abuse treatment in local community. 

The candidate's website says, "Addressing the rising insurance premiums and rising prescription drug prices"

Plans to address rising insurance premiums and prescription drug prices. 

Plans to provide full access to reproductive healthcare services to reduce maternal mortality rate.

- Supports expanding Medicaid in Georgia and advocates for affordable and accessible healthcare for all Georgian's. 
- Wants to reinstate abortion. 
- Advocates for access to quality dental and vision insurance. 
- Wants to increase support for mental health and substance abuse treatment in local community. 
- Plans to address rising insurance premiums and prescription drug prices. 
- Plans to provide full access to reproductive healthcare services to reduce maternal mortality rate.

Healthcare

Said, "إن ديمقراطيتنا تتعرض للهجوم من قبل الحزب الجمهوري الذين لا يؤمنون في حق المواطن الأساسي في القيام بعملية التصويت ولايحترمون نتائج انتخاباتنا. وكما شاهد العالم هجومهم السابق على مبنى الكابيتول في مجالسنا الانتخابية وقاعات المحاكم التابعة لنا"

The candidate's website says, "وفي عام 2021، إجتازوا قانون SB202 مما أدى للسيطرة التامة على المجالس الانتخابية المحلية وتخفيض عدد صناديق الاقتراع،وتقليص مدة التصويت المبكر، ومنع التصويت في أيام العطل الأسبوعية مما أدى إلى انخفاض نسبة المشاركة في عملية التصويت."

The candidate's website says, "En 2021, aprobaron la SB202 que permite un mayor control de las elecciones locales... La ley también reduce el número de urnas, acorta la votación anticipada y elimina la votación del fin de semana, lo que resulta en una menor participación electoral."

The candidate's website says, "In 2021, they passed SB202 allowing more control of local election boards. The law also reduces the number of ballot boxes, shortens early voting, and takes away weekend voting resulting in lower voting participation."

Supports active election participation, facilitated Georgia's voter engagement in 2020, and has consistently volunteered since 2014 to promote Democratic outcomes. Previously organized for Asian American Advocacy Fund and Georgia Muslim Voter Project.

Said, "Our democracy is under attack by Republicans who do not believe in the fundamental right to vote and do not respect our election results. They brought their attack on the Capitol to our election boards and courtrooms."

The candidate's website says, "Ruwa...helped establish the Georgia Volunteer Hub to train the influx of Georgia and national volunteers during the 2020 election."

The candidate's website says, "Protect our most fundamental right to vote and ensure that voting is accessible to all communities"

Said, "وفي العام 2020 ساعدت الكثير من سُكان جورجيا لتعليمهم كيفية المشاركة والقيام في عملية الإنتخاب وعملت كمنظمه (Asian American Advocacy Fund)ميدانية للجمعية الخيرية الآسيوية لدعم حقوق الآسيويين في أمريكا"

The candidate's website says, "وقامت بدعم عملية التصويت من خلال قيامها برحلات ميدانية لتشجيع المسلمين في جورجيا على ذلك وشغلت منصب مديرة الاتصالات فيمجلس العلاقات الإسلامية الأمريكية في جورجيا"

Supports voter participation and training, worked with Asian American Advocacy Fund and established Georgia Volunteer Center to connect volunteers with local organizations, and has experience with Georgia Muslim Voter Project and CAIR Georgia communications.

The candidate's website says, "Nuestra democracia está siendo atacada por republicanos que no creen en el derecho fundamental al voto y no respetan los resultados de nuestras elecciones. Llevaron su ataque al Capitolio a nuestras juntas electorales y tribunales."

The candidate's website says, "拥护基金(Asian American Advocacy Fund)的实地组织者。Ruwa还帮助建立了佐治亚志愿者中心 (Georgia Volunteer Hub)，以培训涌入的佐治亚州和国家志愿者，同时将他们与佐治亚当地组织建立联系。过去，她曾担任佐治亚州穆斯林选民项目 (Georgia Muslim Voter Project) 的实地组织者，和佐治亚CAIR (CAIR Georgia) 的交流总监。"

The candidate's website says, "작년에 그녀는 자신의 플랫폼을 활용하여 수천 명의 조지아인들에게 2020년 선거에 참여하는 방법을 알리고 ... Ruwa는 또한 조지아 자원봉사자 허브를 설립하여 ... 유입되는 조지아와 국가 자원봉사자를 교육하는 데 도움을 주었습니다."

The candidate's website says, "Advocating for the passage of federal voting rights legislation"

The candidate's website says, "Repealing confusing and inconsistent ID laws that do not make our elections more secure"

The candidate's website says, "It is time for bold leadership in the State House to face these issues head-on. We must protect our most fundamental right to vote. This includes:"

Said, "I'm supporting Ruwa Romman for State House District 97 because she has the experience, vision, and dedication we need in the State House. Ruwa has provided strong community leadership in Gwinnett County on issues like voting rights... to address the challenges in our state."

Believes Republicans are attacking democracy by not respecting voting rights and election outcomes; supports bold leadership to protect voting access, including adequate polling places and opposing ID requirements.

Said "Our democracy is under attack by Republicans who do not believe in the fundamental right to vote and do not respect our election results...We must protect our most fundamental right to vote. "

Said, "I believe that voting must be easy, accessible, and efficient for every voter. It is a right, and we must protect it."

Believes voting must be easy, accessible, and efficient for every voter. 

The candidate's website says, "Repealing SB202 to protect local election boards"

Wants to abolish SB202, which she mentions, "reduces the number of ballot boxes, shortens early voting, and takes away weekend voting resulting in lower voting participation."

The candidate's website says, "Increasing the early voting period to allow for a variety of voting days"

Wants to lengthen the early voting period. 

Wants to expand language resources to increase voter participation.

- Said "Our democracy is under attack by Republicans who do not believe in the fundamental right to vote and do not respect our election results...We must protect our most fundamental right to vote. "
- Believes voting must be easy, accessible, and efficient for every voter. 
- Wants to abolish SB202, which she mentions, "reduces the number of ballot boxes, shortens early voting, and takes away weekend voting resulting in lower voting participation."
- Wants to lengthen the early voting period. 
- Wants to expand language resources to increase voter participation.

Voting & Elections

The candidate's website says, "End the case backlog in our court system so that cases can be heard without long delays and those who break the law can be held accountable"

The candidate's website says, "Implement common-sense gun safety policies that keep guns out of the hands of abusers and violent criminals, and out of our schools and parks"

Supports community safety, advocates for resources for first responders, and seeks innovative public safety and criminal justice reforms to reduce crime in Gwinnett County. Plans collaboration between state and local leaders for safer neighborhoods.

Said, "Our civil liberties are increasingly under attack at every level... We must turn this tide, and ensure protections for all people... advocating for policies which address systemic racial inequities in... criminal justice, and much more."

The candidate's website says, "Leverage her expertise to combat human trafficking and the opioid crisis at the local level"

The candidate's website says, "Our civil liberties are increasingly under attack at every level - locally, statewide, and nationally... We must turn this tide, and ensure protections for all people..."

The candidate's website says, "State and local leaders can work together to ensure safe communities for everyone."

Supports community safety, advocates for well-resourced first responders, and seeks innovative policies to reduce crime and enhance the criminal justice system in Gwinnett County.

The candidate's website says, "Advocating for better background checks, studies on preventing gun violence, and solutions to keep guns out of the hands of abusers"

Wants to implement common-sense gun safety policies, such as more thorough background checks to limit gun purchases by those considered dangerous. 

The candidate's website says, "Ensure that all efforts to decriminalize marijuana include provisions to release and expunge the records of all individuals incarcerated on marijuana charges"

Supports decriminalizing marijuana and wants to include provisions to release and expunge the records of anyone incarcerated on marijuana charges. 

The candidate's website says, "Pursue policy that allows law enforcement and prosecutors to focus on violent crime rather than non-violent crime such as marijuana cases"

Wants to implement policy allowing law enforcement and prosecutors to focus on violent crimes rather than drug related crimes. 

The candidate's website says, "Reform our criminal justice system which disproportionately impacts Black and Brown communities"

Wants to "Reform our criminal justice system which disproportionately impacts Black and Brown communities"

The candidate's website says, "Increase certification requirements for law enforcement"

Plans to increase certification requirements for law enforcement. 

The candidate's website says, "Increase pay for first responders"

Supports increasing pay for first responders. 

- Supports community safety, advocates for well-resourced first responders, and seeks innovative policies to reduce crime and enhance the criminal justice system in Gwinnett County.
- Wants to implement common-sense gun safety policies, such as more thorough background checks to limit gun purchases by those considered dangerous. 
- Supports decriminalizing marijuana and wants to include provisions to release and expunge the records of anyone incarcerated on marijuana charges. 
- Wants to implement policy allowing law enforcement and prosecutors to focus on violent crimes rather than drug related crimes. 
- Wants to "Reform our criminal justice system which disproportionately impacts Black and Brown communities"
- Plans to increase certification requirements for law enforcement. 
- Supports increasing pay for first responders. 
- Supports policies for LGBTQ+ community.

Public Safety

The candidate's website says, "Underinvesting in education has real consequences for our community... Education accounts for 50% of Georgia’s budget, yet Georgia ranks 38th in the nation and teachers are leaving the profession completely. Education is the foundation to everything, and we must work to improve our education system..."

Believes neglect in education has real consequences for society, noting Georgia's low ranking (30th out of 50) despite high budget allocation, attributing it to low teacher salaries and outdated payment technologies (QBE).

Believes underfunding education harms the community, supports updating Georgia's QBE Formula to increase teacher pay, and advocates reinvesting in schools to meet student needs, emphasizing the state's future relies on these educational improvements.

Believes underfunding education harms the community, supports updating Georgia's QBE Formula to increase teacher pay, and advocates for greater investment in schools to address students' and families' basic needs, emphasizing the future's dependency on these actions.

The candidate's website says, "Treating teachers as true professionals and elevating their voices in decision making"

The candidate's website says, "Work to catch up the COVID-19 education gap"

The candidate's website says, "Trabajar para recuperar la brecha educativa de COVID-19"

The candidate's website says, "Fully fund the Hope scholarship, and address the rising cost of college education"

Plans to fully fund the Hope scholarship and address the rising cost of college education. 

The candidate's website says, "It is essential that we provide quality, affordable education to every Georgian, and that we tackle threats to our education system head on."

Believes it is critical to provide quality, affordable education to every Georgian.

The candidate's website says, "Update the QBE formula to pay our teachers more"

Plans to increase teacher pay by updating the QBE formula and increase their say in decision making. 

The candidate's website says, "Support life skills and apprenticeship programs"

Supports life skills and apprenticeship programs. 

The candidate's website says, "Promote religious equity and work to ensure those of all religious backgrounds are represented in school and work holidays"

Promotes religious equity and ensuring those of all religious backgrounds are represented in school and work holidays. 

The candidate's website says, "Meet the basic needs of our students and their families"

Supports meeting the basic needs of Georgia students and their families. 

Plans to reduce administrative overhead costs.

- Plans to fully fund the Hope scholarship and address the rising cost of college education. 
- Believes it is critical to provide quality, affordable education to every Georgian.
- Plans to increase teacher pay by updating the QBE formula and increase their say in decision making. 
- Supports life skills and apprenticeship programs. 
- Promotes religious equity and ensuring those of all religious backgrounds are represented in school and work holidays. 
- Supports meeting the basic needs of Georgia students and their families. 
- Plans to reduce administrative overhead costs.

Education

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Ruwa Romman

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Georgia State House of Representatives.
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws. All bills dealing with the state budget originate in the Georgia House of Representatives.
- The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up our state lawmaking body: the Georgia General Assembly.
- There are 180 members of the Georgia House of Representatives, each representing a single district.
- State Representatives are elected to two-year terms. They are paid a yearly salary of $17,342. They only serve in the role part-time.