In an unexpected move that signals a generational shift, Ashwin Ramaswami, a 25-year-old cybersecurity professional and Democrat, is running for Georgia’s 48th State Senate District, which includes parts of Johns Creek, Gwinnett, and Forsyth counties. The young candidate has launched a campaign focused on modernizing Georgia’s infrastructure and enhancing education, healthcare, and technology investment.

Just The Facts:

• Ashwin Ramaswami, 25, is running for Georgia’s 48th State Senate District on a progressive platform that includes healthcare, education, and tech investment.

• Opponent: Incumbent Shawn Still, a Republican businessman, is implicated in the false elector scheme to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

• Background: Ramaswami is a cybersecurity specialist with experience working at the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, where he helped secure election systems.

• Fundraising: Ramaswami has raised over $780,000 from 6,000 donors, significantly surpassing Still’s $300,000 in contributions.

• Policies: Ramaswami’s platform focuses on expanding Medicaid, enacting gun safety laws, protecting reproductive rights, and investing in technology and education.

• Generational Impact: If elected, Ramaswami would be Georgia’s first Gen Z, Indian American, and Hindu state senator.

A Controversial Opponent: Ramaswami’s opponent is incumbent Republican Shawn Still, who faces controversy over his role in the 2020 election aftermath. Still, a local businessman from Norcross, was implicated in the effort to overturn Georgia’s presidential election results as a fake elector supporting former President Donald Trump. His indictment has added an unusual intensity to this race, with issues of election integrity and political ethics taking center stage.

The Details: Ramaswami, a graduate of Stanford University in computer science and Georgetown Law School, has a professional background in election cybersecurity. He worked with the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, developing tools to help election offices detect and prevent digital vulnerabilities. His exposure to state-level election operations during the contentious 2020 election cycle inspired him to enter politics to address issues he said he believes aren’t being addressed by the current state Senate leadership .

On The Issues:

• Healthcare and Education: Ramaswami advocates for expanding Medicaid and increasing investment in public schools, with an eye toward boosting Georgia’s economy and creating pathways for technology sector jobs in the state.

• Gun Safety and Reproductive Rights: The young Democrat supports enacting gun safety measures and protecting access to reproductive healthcare, viewing these as critical to creating “safe and healthy communities.”

• Tech Innovation: Ramaswami aims to drive Georgia’s economic growth by supporting technological innovation and business-friendly policies, hoping to position the state as a tech industry hub .

By the Numbers: Ramaswami’s grassroots campaign has raised over $780,000, significantly surpassing Still’s fundraising, which stands at around $300,000.

Notably, Ramaswami does not accept corporate PAC donations, drawing a line between his campaign and corporate influence. His small-donor support comes from a base of 6,000 contributors, reflecting widespread individual support in a traditionally Republican-leaning district.

In Context: At just 25 years old, Ramaswami is one of the youngest candidates running for state office in Georgia, joining a new wave of Gen Z candidates seeking public office across the country. His candidacy represents an appeal to Georgia’s growing number of young voters and signals the rise of a younger, more diverse generation in Southern politics.