At a young age, I have loved all things policy and politics. I have been a policy analyst for years, trying to help shape solutions from the private-public partnership perspective.

But as I continued to work in this space, I realize change does come from uphill, specifically, Capitol Hill. I’m not an insider, I’ve tried writing to my local representatives about issues I cared about. So when this seat opened, I saw a role for myself to be the representative I know Georgia’s 14th District deserved.

Policy never became more “real” to me than when I was sick. Right after I graduated Kennesaw State, I almost died of a heart attack at 22. My recovery was slow, and inhibited by Covid-19. When I saw how broken healthcare was, I just couldn’t reconcile how no one talked about it. No one prepared me for the four individual $100k surgeries. No one told me that my insurance company would not cover my heart medications and that I would have to fight for it. No one said anything about the medication costing more than I earned every month when I worked for Georgia’s Department of Health and Human Services.

It was a hard road to travel, a place that took me off the farm I grew up on and put me into the world with a new perspective. Sometimes, things happen outside of your control. You can do everything right and still find yourself in a bad position.

So when I say that I’m here to help, I mean it. I had family to lean on to help me get through my illness. My dad who has worked so hard to provide for my family helped me pay for heart surgery that cost more than I did make in two years before I got sick. I am grateful to the doctors and nurses who made the difference in my life, and most of all, I’m grateful to God for giving me a new lease on life.

I’m here because no one should have to choose between medical bills and rent, facing the loss of a loved one or retirement. I think a better world is possible, and I aim to make it that way.

If you would like to reach out to me, please send an email to linvel@risnerforgeorgia.org. I would love to hear from you.