With less than two weeks before the Georgia Legislative Session begins, State Rep. Ruwa Romman got the 2026 portion of her pre-primary campaigning started. At Manuel’s Tavern on Saturday night, Romman was joined by her staff and a couple of dozen people in a back room of the bar to kick off her “Georgia We Deserve” campaign tour.
Campaign literature rested on all of the tables. One card began with, “As Governor, Ruwa Will….”, while others listed her priorities and goals. Romman made her way from table to table, meeting and greeting supporters. It is now five months since the gubernatorial primary will take place on May 5. There’s no better time than the present to be campaigning.
On one of the TVs in the room, CNN’s broadcast of the invasion of Venezuela, and the kidnapping of the country’s president, Nicolas Maduro, his wife, and son, played on a loop.
American politics was back on a Saturday night in Atlanta.
“Movement building is not polished. We can flip our state, one door at a time,” Romman said. “I can’t thank y’all enough for being here tonight.”
Romman is running against experienced politicians, but the people will decide who represents the Democratic Party, and the diversity of Atlanta’s voters was on display at Manuel’s on Saturday night.
Following the interview, Romman took questions from the audience about investments in public education, improving public transportation, how to volunteer for her campaign, strengthening union rights, ICE, raising minimum wage without accelerating inflation, and sustainable farming.
On ICE, Romman said, “I would start with working to repeal House Bill 1105,” Romman said. “Immigration is a federal issue, but there are state issues we can pursue.”
On access to better mental healthcare, Romman said, “What if instead of spending our money on private prisons, we spend it on mental healthcare?, she said.
“Keep the faith because this is going to be a long-term project,” Romman told the crowd at the end of the event. “I’m telling y’all, this is how you build it, like this. I promise you, Georgia is absolutely worth it.”
Romman told The Atlanta Voice that her campaign tour will continue to include small gatherings like the one that took place at Manuel’s. Small venues, such as coffee shops, and even walks along the Atlanta Beltline, will be future locations.
“I think right now, with people feeling more isolated because of the algorithm, there’s a clear need to be with people,” said Romman. She was one of many local politicians who greeted the two dozen Buddhist monks, led by Bhikkhu Pannakara, who had embarked on a 2,300-mile Walk for Peace, which included a passage through Georgia.
The “Georgia We Deserve” tour continues. Immediately after the event, a line of supporters formed in front of Romman to take selfies with her and ask more questions. Romman said the door-knocking and hands-on approach will continue. Romman said the concept of speaking face-to-face with voters will be at the forefront of the campaign.
“By being here tonight, you all have proved our point,” Romman said.
Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice