Greg Howard

Greg Howard was born in Fairbanks, Alaska. He earned a high school diploma from Lee High School. His career experience includes working in customer service.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Music Journalist, Podcast Host, Author, Entrepreneur, and Political Commentator Greg Howard Jr is best known as the creator and host of the hit podcasts: Don’t Make This Weird, This is Not An Endorsement, 30 Questions With…, Your Life: The Mixtape, Headliners, & Bonus Tracks. He is also a co-host on the internationally charting It’s Like This: A Pop Culture Podcast.

Greg is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Your Life: The Mixtape Media. Greg co-produces the smash hit podcasts Voice Memos and Unapologetically She for Rodwarton Productions. He is the executive editor of the free digital magazine Your Life: The Mixtape Magazine.

In addition to this, Greg is a bestselling author. Having released the Amazon Bestsellers Hi, I’m the Ugly Friend (And Other Tales of Not Living Up to My Potential), Don’t Make This Weird (A Year in the Life), Life, Liberty, and Something Like Happiness, Not So Self-Evident, and If We’re Being Honest: Essays, Observations, and Words of Wisdom From a Life Well-Lived.

Greg has a background in community theater, as well as being an acclaimed drag queen in Atlanta in the mid-2010s.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I understand what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck, to decide what you can live without to make ends meet; I’ve been there. I’m there now. Our economy will flourish when there isn’t a wage gap based on race or gender identity. Our economy will flourish when we finally raise the minimum wage. Our economy will flourish when we invest in the middle class. Our economy will flourish when everyone pays their fair share. The 1% should pay more than the kid working their first job bagging groceries or the teacher having to pay for supplies for their classroom out of their own pocket. If we held the wealthiest people in this country accountable for paying their fair share of taxes, the phrase “school lunch debt” wouldn’t be a thing.We should be doing everything we can to make sure that all America’s children receive the same quality of education despite what the property taxes of their school zone may be. Despite how the Republican party likes to poor mouth, we are one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Why aren’t we feeding kids at school for free? The government requires that they go; the government should be required to feed them. We should also be offering universal Pre-K to help working families who may not be able to afford childcare. There should be incentives in place for schools that offer after-school programs.Like many of the institutions in this country, our healthcare system is broken. Somewhere along the way, it became more about turning a profit than it did about healing. No one should face bankruptcy or eviction or live in chronic pain simply because they cannot afford health insurance or because their medication is too expensive. We made great strides in coverage with Obamacare, but a country this size demands a public option. If government healthcare is good enough for our elected officials, then it’s good enough for our citizens. Allowing the people of your country to have access to affordable healthcare shouldn’t be a partisan issue. It isn’t a radical idea; it’s not a handout, it’s the right thing to do.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Social welfare, including poverty reduction, healthcare access, education, and social security.

Social Policy and Inequality

Democracy and Human Rights

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The songs "AMERIICAN REQUIEM" by Beyonce', "World on Fire" by Dolly Parton, and "Carry On" by Martha Wash are a good place to start.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Accessibility, accountability, honesty, and transparency should be paramount for all elected officials.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

As a US Senator it is your responsibility to deliver tangible results to not only your constituents but all the people of America.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to be remembered as someone who did the right thing, who stood up for the marginalized even when it's not advantageous to me and my career, and someone who wasn't afraid to rock the boat.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The greatest challenge we face as a nation over the next decade is definitely rebuilding trust. Far too many people, allies and citizens alike, have lost faith and trust in our government. Before we can do anything else we have to work on repairing those relationships.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I fully support terms limits and I think they should not only apply to Congress but also to the Supreme Court.

What qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The Senate is where you can really see which elected officials are working for the people of this country and which are just in it for expediency and influence.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for senators to have previous experience in government or politics?

As with any job, experience is always a good thing to have. I don't believe that should exclude anyone from running for office. We are supposed to be a government of, for, and by the people not just those who have decided to make their career in politics.

What do you think of the filibuster?

The filibuster has it's pros and cons. I definitely feel that it needs an overhaul to prevent it from being weaponized.

Is there a particular senator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Senator Cory Booker, Senator Jon Ossoff, and Vice President Kamala Harris

What kind of relationships would you build with other senators?

As a Senator, I would build relationships as needed to deliver results to the people of Alabama without sacrificing my values.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

You absolutely have to be able to compromise, but you don't have to sacrifice your values to do so.

How should the U.S. Senate use its investigative powers?

The investigative powers of the US Senate should never be used for partisan theatrics as we have seen in the recent past. They should be used as a tool of accountability and transparency.

What criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees to their Cabinet?

My criteria for presidential appointees is simple.

What committees interest you?

The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the Joint Committee on the Library are two that I'm most interested in.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

The American people are owed transparency in all areas and accountability from their government.