The IIM Bangalore alum is running on economy, national security and immigration in the nationally watched special election.
Voters from Georgia’s 6th Congressional District go to poll this April 18 to elect a successor to Tom Price, who has joined the cabinet of President Trump as the secretary of Health and Human Services.
Eighteen candidates are running in the special election for the district, which has been a Republican stronghold for decades. Democrats, salivating at the prospect of scoring an upset victory, have fielded a strong candidate, Josh Ossoff.
One of the several candidates on the Republican side is Bangladeshi American Dr. Mohammad Ali Bhuiyan, who is also the first Muslim Republican to contest from the district.
The early voting started on March 25.
Even though the election is on April 18, the winner is not likely to be announced that day — unless one of the candidates secures at least 50 percent of the votes. Otherwise, the top two candidates would go for the runoff on June 20.
Bhuiyan, an entrepreneur, has campaigned largely on the economy and national security, saying that he will work for reducing national debt, improving national security, enforcing stricter border control and promoting legal immigration.
During the campaign, he has argued that though the elections are being held at the local level, it is necessary to keep an eye on issues at the national and international level.
He has also touted his bipartisan credentials.
“As an entrepreneurial leader, I have been highly successful in getting Democrats, Republicans, independents, and others to work with me on various projects,” he told The Marietta Daily Journal. “If elected, I would use my proven personal skills to promote collaboration among all parties. I would find members who are independent minded and join them and create a strong group of collaboration who will work together to get things done for the good of the people.”
An educationalist with a career spanning over two decades, Bhuiyan also heads a small business, Leadership Needed Foundation, Inc.
He came to the United States in 1986 to pursue graduate degree in management from the Georgia State University. He did his doctoral degree from the University of Florida in 1993. Thereafter, he taught in different capacities in several universities for the next two decades.
A resident of Cobb County, Georgia, for the past 16 years, Bhuiyan and his wife of 16 years, Shamima, have a son, a law graduate and works in California.
Before coming to the US, Bhuiyan did his master’s in management from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, India. He also taught at the Dhaka University, Bangladesh.
Having traveled to more than 40 countries spanning six continents, the Republican has had a decorated career as recipient of several national and international awards, according to his campaign website. He was listed in the Marquis Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World. In 2014, the Atlanta Business Chronicle named him as one of the 100 most influential Atlantans.
The following year, the Georgia Trend Magazine listed him in its “Notable Georgians 2015.” The City Council of Savannah announced May 31, 1996 as Dr. Mohammad Bhuiyan Day to acknowledge his contributions to the community.
He has also served on several boards including American Heart Association Rotary Club of Savannah West, City of Savannah Human Resource Commission, American Red Cross, Second Harvest Food Bank and Better Business Bureau.