Kirkland Carden
Gwinnett Board of Commissioners, District 1
ABOUT KIRKLAND CARDEN:
A native Gwinnettian, Kirkland has deep roots in this community and a connection to seeing improvements in neighborhoods that have been neglected. Kirkland understands that wasting resources persecuting immigrants and voluntarily joining 287(g) agreements doesn’t just hurt immigrants and their families, it hurts all of us. Kirkland is the right choice for Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners because he is prepared to lead on criminal justice, affordable housing, small business job creation, and neighborhood revitalization.
WHY WE’RE ENDORSING KIRKLAND:
It is clear that community is at the core of Kirkland Carden’s platform. His various experiences in fiscal management, public safety, and community development have made him incredibly passionate about combatting today’s current issues. While he has larger goals such as aiming to enact policies that will help local businesses recover from the economic downturn due to COVID-19, he also has smaller specific goals. For example, he has plans to restore the neglected Gwinnett Place Mall area and invest in historically underserved neighborhoods.
Kirkland has committed to advocate for public policy and procedural changes that will make Gwinnett County government more progressive and responsive to the needs of all community members. He supports the prohibition of the 287(g) programs in Georgia because he recognizes that immigrants are essential members of our communities who shouldn’t be subjected to psychologically and emotionally devastating criminalization. He also seeks to establish a Civilian Police Review Board to investigate reports of excessive force used by officers and move towards building a police force that is respectful of and responsive to the communities they serve.
Kirkland is also an advocate for voting rights reform, especially in the face of blatant voter suppression efforts in Georgia. He supports increasing early voting opportunities, and believes the commission should make it regular practice to mail every registered voter an absentee ballot application along with information on how to vote in-person. He will ensure that the County Board of Elections is given sufficient funding in order to ensure Gwinnett has free and fair elections.
Kirkland is also a lifelong community member whose experience serving on the Duluth city council has prepared him to lead as a county commissioner. Kirkland recognizes the failure to expand public transportation options as a missed opportunity to create jobs, clear up traffic congestion, and improve the quality of life for residents of one of the most populous counties in Georgia. In a political era defined by divisiveness and dehumanizing rhetoric, Kirkland pushes against the grain and is ready to lead with integrity, vision, and a commitment to our values. Kirkland is a champion of marginalized communities, and the Asian American Advocacy Fund is proud to endorse him!