Vinson Watkins

Vinson Watkins was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Watkins studied at Mercer University. His career experience includes working as a writer/editor and author.[1][2][3][4]

Vinson Watkins did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Just a man making my way through the universe.

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?

Restoring a woman’s right to bodily autonomy must be restored.Preserving the separation of church and state.Today’s GOP is a mob of fascists. I mean to restore the party of Lincoln and make being a Republican actually about serving the republic we call the United Stares.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

All of them.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I believe elected officials should look up to the people and always remember that the highest office in the land is CITIZEN.

Of course I have personal heroes like Frederick Douglass, Harry Chapin, Carl Sagan, etc.

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

The United States Constitution

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

I always do my homework. I believe in facts and logic. I believe in listening to and understanding all sides of an issue. And I believe in admitting when I’m wrong.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Frankly, I’m a genius with a love of research. I make sure I’m always the smartest guy in the room.

I have Young Onset Parkinson’s Dissase. For two decades, it has ravaged my body and left me disabled. But I still have my mind and I feel a duty to put it to patriotic use.

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

Thoughtful debate so that all issues presented are completely understood.

Preserving the Constitution and passing laws that serve the citizens.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That my daughters be proud of me.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The Watergate scandal and resignation of Nixon. I was 6 or 7.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was a computer graphics artist for years starting from the age of 15.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I love too many books to have a favorite.

Beware the man of one book.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Superman.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Baby Blue by Badfinger

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Parkinson’s Disease. It is very painful and disabling.

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

Maintaining our military supremacy as we check the growing powers of Russia and China and Islamic regimes.

Transitioning America and the world toward nuclear energy and away from fossil fuels as we try to mitigate the coming effects of climate change.

All while preserving the liberty and safety of our citizens, and fostering opportunity, health, and a modernized infrastructure.

Saving family farms. Raise the minimum wage to $15 with an automatic cost of living increase every year.

Saving the promise of social security and vastly increasing benefits.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

We have very effective term limits. They are called ELECTIONS.

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

The senate has wide-ranging duties including proposing and drafting effective legislation, investigating violations in all branches of the government, and even effective use of the filibuster to protect the minority from being railroaded by a tyranny of the majority.

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

Experience comes from many sources. We need leaders from a variety of backgrounds. Enough already with lawyers, businessmen, millionaires, and reverends. We need scientists and artists and writers and maybe a barber and a cab driver and a cop.

What do you think of the filibuster?

It is a vital tool that spurs debate, which is the primary role of the Senate. It prevents the majority from bullying the minority.

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

No

Tell us your favorite joke.

No. It’s entirely inappropriate for this forum.

How would you evaluate a judicial nominee?

I would do my homework and review their decisions and fidelity to the Constitution and ignore the lies they tell during confirmation hearings where they will say anything to get the job.

What kind of relationships would you build with other senators?

Hopefully, respectful friendships based on cooperation and a love for this country.

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

Of course. Every senator is sent to Washington to work with each other.

The trick is learning to compromise on details without compromising oneself and one’s principles.

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

To expose and prosecute violations in every branch of government, especially SCOTUS.

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

Honesty. Integrity. A complete working knowledge of their area of expertise.

What committees interest you?

All of them.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Yes, please. That’d be great!

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Vince Watkins. I am tired of the partisan bickering in this “do nothing” Congress. I have come to bring balance to the force.

I am disabled with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease. There are so many things I can no longer do, but I want to focus on what I can do.

I’m 57 and have had PD for 2 decades now. I want to make a difference. I want to make a contribution to my home state while I still can. I am a believer in individual rights, the Constitution, and common sense.

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 believe in serving constituents, listening to their concerns, and addressing them.

The craziness of the far right and far left achieves nothing but conflict. I can be awake without being “woke.”

Protecting Georgians, our rights, and the Constitutional Republic we love.Women’s rights are under attack from the far left and the far right. The empowerment of women is necessary to the success of our mighty republic. We have enough lawyers and businessmen in Washington. They appease whomever throws them that sweet sweet SuperPac sugar. They get richer in the stock market as they legally engage in insider trading.

It’s time to send a poor wretch like me. I will not play the stock market while in office.

But I will do everything I can to cut taxes on Diesel. Truckers built our highways with massive taxes. Cutting taxes on diesel will put more money in the hands of truckers, farmers, and consumers.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Social Security, Disability, Medicare, Veterans rights, and everything else.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Thomas Jefferson, but without the slaves. I can relate to his many interests and admire his vast intellect.

Benjamin Franklin because he told it like it is. That’s why people like Trump. That’s why Georgians will love me.

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

The United States Constitution

The writing of Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, Frederick Douglass, Eleanor Roosevelt, George Carlin, Dave Chappelle, and Aaron Sorkin.

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

Perspective and gratitude.

And “dancing with the one that brung ya.”

These qualities come from core values like honesty, dignity, loyalty, and making damn sure you do your homework.

And a ridiculously high IQ helps.

And humility. Despite my intelligence, my shortcomings are multitudinous. I’m working on that.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Perspective, gratitude, humor, and intelligence.

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

As the oath says: to support the Constitution. To make sure the rights of Americans are preserved and that Georgia’s mighty 8th has the detailed infrastructure it needs to be successful, happy, and great… no matter what color cap they wear.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Honest and effective service that makes a difference and empowers people.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Watergate. Vietnam.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

At 15, I began working in computer graphics.

What is your favorite book? Why?

A favorite book? So many. The Old Man and the Sea. I love Hemingway. Anything by Cormac McCarthy. Joan Didion. Alice Walker. The poetry of Leonard Cohen and Countee Cullen.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Batman

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Ray Charles belting out “Georgia On My Mind.”

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Parkinson’s Disease. Unmedicated, it causes depression, anxiety, stiffness, tremors, locked muscles and joints, pain, and sheer hell.

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

The House is the greatest body of governance ever assembled. It insures that we have the rule of law and not the rule of men.

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

Experience is a valuable thing, but it doesn’t always come from sitting at a desk in Washington.

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

Dealing with threats like climate change, deescalating tensions with China, the Middle East, and Russia, while still supporting our allies. It is vital that we support Israel in their battle against terrorism. It’s our battle too.

Securing our borders, protecting social security and Medicare, and making sure medical care is denied to no American.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes.

Or rather it would be if representatives did not have to spend most of their time raising money for the next campaign.

We need campaign finance reform.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

We have term limits. We call them “elections.”

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

No.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Mark Twain: “imagine yourself a congressman. Now imagine yourself an idiot. But I repeat myself.”

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

I’m not running for King. The citizens of our great nation sends the people they have chosen to serve their interests. That means working with all those representatives to benefit Americans. It means compromising to hammer out fair legislation. It does not mean compromising one’s dignity.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

We have a ridiculous number of laws and many of them have riders regarding unrelated issues.

We need honest legislation without such riders.

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

With great care when there is sufficient evidence and cause.

Not the retaliatory and baseless abuse of power we see today.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

The loosely unassociated smart people in Georgia’s 8th.

What committees interest you?

All of them.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

We should give that a try.

Note: Watkins submitted the above survey responses to [the profile publisher] on March 1, 2024.

Show past responsesHide past responses

October 2 submission

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Vinson Watkins. Ian on disability with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease. There are so many things I can no longer do, but I want to focus on what I can do.

I’m 57 and have had PD for 2 decades now. I want to make a difference. I want to make a contribution to my home state while I still can. I am a believer in individual rights, the Constitution, and common sense.

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 believe in serving constituents, listening to their concerns, and addressing them.The craziness of the far right and far left achieves nothing but conflict. I can be awake without being “woke.”Protecting Georgians, our rights, and the Constitutional Republic we love.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

“We the People” means ALL the people. I want to ensure that public policy serves Georgians, and not Georgians serving policy.

Georgia is proudly part of these United States and must be an active part of ensuring the security, freedom, and opportunities of America.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Thomas Jefferson, but without the slaves. I can relate to his many interests and admire his vast intellect.

Benjamin Franklin because he told it like it is. That’s why people like Trump. That’s why Georgians will love me.

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

The United States Constitution

The writing of Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, Frederick Douglass, Eleanor Roosevelt, George Carlin, and Aaron Sorkin.

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

Remembering that serving the people is the job. Remembering that I am in Washington to serve Georgia’s awesome 8th district in the House, not to serve the House in Georgia’s 8th.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Honesty

Intelligence

Integrity

I have Young Onset Parkinson’s which has forced me into an early retirement. But I want to work and be of service. There is so much I can’t do. I often need a cane to walk. But I can still think, and offer my intellect into the service of Georgia. Yes, I am disabled. So what. Like Michael J Fox, I will not let this disease destroy my mantra: Perspective and Gratitude.

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

Honesty—We don’t need BS in politics.

Intelligence—I do my homework and I’m always the smartest person in the room. Always. I’m not bragging; that’s just the reality.

Yes, honesty and intelligence are more than qualities. They are responsibilities. To represent Georgia, it is vital that the 8th District sends someone with a confident intellect placed in their service.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Honest and effective service. A few paintings. The novels I’m writing.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Vietnam, Watergate.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Creating computer graphics. I was 15. I did that for years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Impossible to pick one. My favorite writers are Cormac McCarthy, Harper Lee, Robert Cormier, Jack Finney, Ken Grimwood, Michael Chabon…

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Batman

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Boys of Summer by Don Henley.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Parkinson’s Disease. Unmedicated, it causes depression, anxiety, stiffness, tremors, locked muscles and joints, pain, and sheer hell.

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

It is the part of national governance that is closest to the people pulling the levers and sending someone to represent them and their interests.

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

Experience is always a positive quality, but the experience required to represent my friends and neighbors comes from more than a desk in Washington.

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

Dealing with threats like climate change, deescalating tensions with China, the Middle East, and Russia, while still supporting our allies.

Securing our borders, protecting social security and Medicare, and making sure medical care is denied to no American.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes

What are your thoughts on term limits?

We have term limits. They are called ELECTIONS. The people have the right to send the representatives of their own choosing,

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

The citizens of these United States elect us to protect them. That cannot be compromised. However, there are a thousand tiny details that face our country as we govern. And effective government requires compromise and intelligence.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

As the largest economy in the history of the world, we have to raise enough revenue (which is a BS term for taxation) to insure a 21st century infrastructure which will enable Americans, and especially Georgians to prosper.