DeKalb resident Scott Hughes is jumping into the political arena for the first time by seeking election to the Georgia House District 90 seat, challenging incumbent Representative Pamela Stephenson for the Democratic nomination.

Citing what he sees as a lack of representation for the district, Hughes said he plans to focus on tax reform, budget streamlining, education and transportation if elected. 

"I think there is so much more that can be done on this level so I decided to throw my hat into the ring and give it a shot," Hughes said. He also said he will be a "Christian politician".  

Hughes explained that he is against the T-SPLOST referendum voters will decide on in the July 31 primary because he doesn't feel it would be a sound return of investment and would not be beneficial to the people in the district. 

As an Employee Revenue Cycle Coordinator at DeKalb Medical Center, Hughes also sees healthcare as a pressing issue the state and country are facing. 

"I support the president's healthcare reform and I would like to see a decrease in fraud and abuse in healthcare funding." Hughes said. "I like to take ideas from both sides and merge the two. I don't think there is silver bullet that is going to make everyone happy but we can find some equilibrium there."

Originally from Michigan, Hughes has been a resident of DeKalb for past 15 years. He and his wife Tammy have an 11-year-old son, which explains his concern for the current condition of Georgia's education system.

"We are in a bad state as far as education goes," Hughes said. "I love the concept behind our education system, but I don't think it is being run the right way. We have a bunch of people in place that don't really need to be there. We should do more than teach students how to take a test...we should teach them how to think."

Hughes graduated from Kentucky State University with a degree in public administration and is currently earning his MBA at Beulah Heights University in Atlanta. He is also a minister and runs a homeless ministry at New Life Church.    

For more information on Hughes' campaign, visit www.scottahughes.com.