Dr. Michelle Au is running for the Georgia Senate District 48 seat as a Democratic candidate. Georgia Senate District 48 covers a wide demographic area including Johns Creek, North Fulton county and northern part of Gwinnett County covering Peachtree Corners, Duluth and Suwanee.
The seat was formerly held by Zahra Karinshak, who recently announced that she would run for Georgia’s 7th Congressional District. At the time of press, Josh Uddin is the only challenger to her candidacy on the Democrat's Primary on May 19, 2020.
Dr. Au has given much serious thoughts and consideration before deciding to announce her candidacy in November 2019. “The decision to run is not taken lightly. As a physician and a mother of three young children, I have to consider the time and dedication needed to serve the district,” said Dr. Au in her exclusive interview with Georgia Asian Times.
Born and raised in New York to Chinese-American immigrant parents who are successful in their careers as physicians. “My parents immigrated with their parents in the 1960s from Hong Kong after a generation of hardship following the Second World War. With the help of family, friends, scholarships and hardworking, both of my parents graduated from college and medical school,” adds Dr. Au.
Those hardworking and perseverance values helped Dr. Au to achieve her own dreams. She is a by product of strong public school education and she graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College in Massachusetts. She attended medical school at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and did her residency in both pediatrics and anesthesiology.
Dr. Au and her husband moved to Georgia in 2008 for warmer weather and better career opportunities. She is currently a partner at a private practice group, Physicians Specialist in Anesthesia at Emory-St. Joseph's Hospital.
“As a doctor, I wanted to help people and fix difficult issues. However, I discovered our health are determined by many factors such as education, access to healthcare, economic opportunity, and safety. This is an area where I believe I can add value by bringing change to public policies in Georgia that determine quality healthcare service for the people,” explains Dr. Au.
Dr. Au's campaign is focusing on three core issues that urgently needs attention: access to quality healthcare, access to education and improving transportation access.
“I strongly believe in strengthening and modernizing the public school system. Through education, we can achieve a stronger social and economic parity. Improving mass transit system is important in resolving the transportation dilemma that we are facing daily. It will be a long term issue that needs clarity.”
“I believe in pragmatism and compromise in dealing with difficult issues. I also don't subscribe to ideologies. My goal is to find workable solutions.”
Since the launch of her campaign on Nov 20, 2019, her campaign has raised over $100,000 to date. Her campaign fundraising has topped the list of Democratic fundraisers to date. Dr. Au aim to continue her fundraising and urge her supporters and the public to contribute via the website: www.auforga.com.
“As I have proven throughout my medical career and as mother, I will listen to and advocate tenaciously for the best interests of all those I represent. Together, we can ensure a healthier future for all Georgians.
