Mohammad Ali Bhuiyan
Georgia congressional candidate Mohammad Ali Bhuiyan and Hollywood actor Sean Penn. Photo credit: mohammadaliforcongress.com.

ATLANTA (Diya TV) — Georgia voters in the state’s 6th Congressional District will head to the polls on April 18 to elect a successor to Tom Price, who vacated the seat to join the Cabinet of President Donald Trump, Bangladeshi-American Mohammad Ali Bhuiyan’s name is on the ballot as one of the 18 candidates vying for the seat.

The district has been a Republican stronghold for decades, Democrats salivating over the prospect of overtaking the seat have placed candidate Josh Ossoff as the party’s main face. Bhuiyan, a Republican, is also the first Muslim to make a play for the seat in the district’s history.

Early voting for the seat began on March 25. The winner of the election will very likely not be announced on the 18, unless one of the candidates secures at least 50 percent of the vote. The district’s newest member could be decided on a June 20 runoff election between Monday’s two top finishers.

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.

He has also spoken very often of, what he calls, 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.”

He serves as the head of Leadership Needed Foundation, Inc., and has worked as an educator for more than two decades.

Bhuiyan arrived in the U.S. in 1986 to pursue graduate degree in management from Georgia State University. He then obtained his doctoral degree from the University of Florida in 1993. From there, he began his career as an educator and his since served at various universities across the country.

Having traveled to more than 40 countries spanning six continents, the Republican has a decorated career and has been the 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.