Q. Did you seek the job or were you approached about it?

A. I was minority whip. So when Gloria Butler decided to leave, it was kind of like the natural progression. Some of my colleagues said I should run. So I ran [unopposed].

Q. How do you view your role as minority leader?

A. It’s trying to set the tone for the caucus, which direction we’re going to go in politically. Also, [it’s] to help members get their legislation passed, and many of them have done that in the past. It’s about trying to help wherever I can, as far as members’ issues within the Senate. It’s a dual role. Number one is the political focus of the caucus but at the same time trying to help those with their individual issues.

As senator from Augusta, we want to continue to make sure we do things, especially with the Medical College of Georgia here. We’re going to try to get funding for a new research building at the college. That’s going to be an important ask that we’re going to be looking at this year, from the Augusta standpoint.

Q.What are your priorities as Senate minority leader? As senator from Augusta?

A. As senator from Augusta, we want to continue to make sure we do things, especially with the Medical College of Georgia here. We’re going to try to get funding for a new research building at the college. That’s going to be an important ask that we’re going to be looking at this year, from the Augusta standpoint.

From the Senate standpoint, our priorities will be trying to make sure people can live the American dream, where they can basically live good lives. One of the first aspects of that is making sure we get people insured.

As Senate minority leader, it will be to push for Medicaid expansion, number one. Also, to try to decrease child care costs. I want to look at this serious eviction problem, especially in the metro area, and try to cap some of those [costs]. We would not do it as a state, but we would give local governments the opportunity, potentially, to cap some of those high rents.

Q. How would you do that?

A. By providing them with some type of legislation that would allow them to potentially put some type of limitations [on rent increases].

Q.Given the Republican-dominated Legislature, can those priorities be achieved?

A. We got a vote for the first time earlier this year on Medicaid expansion. That only came up one vote short. The lieutenant governor says he still is willing to have that conversation.

Here’s how you have to look at it from a minority [party] standpoint: It’s not just about passing individual legislation. We’re really trying to set the tone for the state of Georgia. It’s about how we get ready for [the] 2026 [midterms]. That’s the key thing about being a minority party. It is not only trying to get your legislation passed but also setting the tone for the political direction you want the state to go in over the next few years.

Q. What are the biggest legislative hurdles you see going into the new session in January?

A. We’re going to try to create our own narrative about some of the issues that I talked about. So, to some extent, we have to see what direction Republicans want to go in. But as far as knowing what those hurdles may be, we hope to stay away from a lot of the cultural war issues — those things that divide people and cause friction — such as dealing with trans kids and things of that nature. So we hope we stay away from those issues and deal with more economic and criminal justice issues.

Q. What did Georgia Democrats get right and wrong this election?

A. We kept all of our seats in the Senate. I think it mattered that we didn’t have a statewide race like a U.S. Senate race.

Q. You’ve been in the Legislature almost 10 years. How has it changed?

A. Number one, we’ve gained seats. When I first got elected, the Republicans had a suitable majority, and they could almost do anything they wanted. I think we also have a good mixture of people. So I think we’re on an upward trajectory.

Q.There appears to be some internal friction within the state Democratic party, some of which centers on U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams. Should Williams step down as state party chair?

A. I think the Democratic Party of Georgia can handle that situation. But I will say this: I served with Congresswoman Williams. She’s very conscientious, and she does a great job. She’s a very hard worker. I would like us to actually sit down and look at the real numbers about what this election shows because when you start looking at it, you start seeing things that are not necessarily [the same as what is being indicated] in exit polls. I would like to see somebody do an analysis of the election.