Rob Ruszkowski
Rob Ruszkowski (independent) (also known as Rush) is running in a special election to the U.S. House to represent Georgia's 14th Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the special 2026 election.[source]
Ruszkowski is also running for election to the U.S. House to represent Georgia's 14th Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the general election scheduled on November 3, 2026.[source]
Ruszkowski completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Rob Ruszkowski was born in Plainview, New York. He earned a high school diploma from Plainview Old Bethpage High School and a bachelor's degree in finance from Hofstra University in 1988. His career experience includes working as an entrepreneur and an outreach coordinator.[1]
Elections
2026
Special election
See also: Georgia's 14th Congressional District special election, 2026
General election
The general election will occur on March 10, 2026.
Special general election for U.S. House Georgia District 14
The following candidates are running in the special general election for U.S. House Georgia District 14 on March 10, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Jim Davis (D) | ||
 | Shawn Harris (D) | |
| Jonathan Hobbs (D) | ||
 | Star Black (R)  | |
 | Reagan Box (R) | |
 | Beau Brown (R) | |
 | James Brown (R) | |
 | Jared Craig (R) | |
 | Eric Cunningham (R) | |
 | Clayton Fuller (R) | |
 | Tom Gray (R) | |
 | Larry Hilley (R) | |
| Trey Kelly (R) | ||
 | Nicky Lama (R) | |
 | Colton Moore (R) | |
 | Brian Stover (R) | |
 | Megahn Strickland (R) | |
| James Tully (R) | ||
 | Jenna Turnipseed (R) | |
 | Andrew Underwood (L) | |
 | Rob Ruszkowski (Independent) | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Christian Hurd (R)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Regular election
See also: Georgia's 14th Congressional District election, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on May 19, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.
General election for U.S. House Georgia District 14
Rob Ruszkowski is running in the general election for U.S. House Georgia District 14 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Rob Ruszkowski (Independent) | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 14
Clarence Blalock and Shawn Harris are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 14 on May 19, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Clarence Blalock | |
| Shawn Harris | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 14
The following candidates are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 14 on May 19, 2026.
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Rob Ruszkowski completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ruszkowski's responses.
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Who is Robert Anthony Joseph Ruszkowski ( Rush )
Meet Rob Rush: A Fighter for Justice, Peace, and the People! Rob Rush is running for Congress to restore honesty, compassion, and courage to Georgia’s 14th District. As a proud member of the Gaia Knights Movement, Rob is dedicated to inspiring others to join in the fight for Democracy and Justice.
Born and raised in Plainview, New York, Rob is a second-generation American with Sicilian and Austrian/Hungarian Polish/Ukrainian heritage. His Grandfather worked as a Coal Miner in West Virginia where his father was raised. His father worked as a bookkeeper for over 40 years for the same company in New York while his mother was a devoted homemaker. Growing up in a stable and loving family instilled in Rob the values of integrity, hard work, and service.
After obtaining his finance degree from Hofstra University, Rob launched a successful career in sales, eventually founding Hi-Tech Paging Inc. in Atlanta in 1991. With just $5,000 in savings and a $5,000 gift from his father, he transformed it into five thriving locations in Gwinnett County, GA, generating over $1 million in annual sales. However, Rob understands the challenges faced by small business owners, having personally navigated bankruptcy and the demands of starting over.
Rob’s journey has also been one of personal and spiritual growth. Caring for his parents during their final years (2005 - 2018)- Restoring the American Dream Through Human Rights The American Dream has been hollowed out for working families across GA-14. I’m running to transform that dream into reality by establishing a new Human Rights Bill that guarantees clean air and water, a living wage, fair healthcare, equal justice, and the right to build a secure future. This campaign is about delivering—not promising—dignity, opportunity, and freedom for every person, regardless of background or income.
- Ending Corruption and Returning Power to the People Washington is controlled by billionaires, lobbyists, and special interests who profit while our communities struggle. I will fight to end dark-money influence, protect voting rights, and rebuild a government that works for everyday Americans. My platform includes strict anti-corruption reforms, transparency requirements, and policies that redirect wealth and power back into the hands of workers, families, and local communities.
- A New Economy That Works for Everyone Our district has suffered from rising costs, shrinking wages, and broken systems designed to benefit the wealthy few. I’m proposing bold but common-sense solutions: a Thriving Wage, AI-era economic protections, clean-energy jobs, revitalized rural infrastructure, and fair healthcare that doesn’t bankrupt families. My goal is simple—make GA-14 a place where people can live free, build prosperity, and raise their families with security and hope.
I also admire individuals whose lives reflect empathy, resilience, and courage. Keanu Reeves inspires me with his humility, generosity, and ability to stay grounded while using his success to help others. Sean Penn has shown a willingness to confront crises head-on and use his platform to defend the vulnerable around the world. Stephen Colbert, through humor and honesty, demonstrates how truth and compassion can cut through misinformation and division.
Above all, I look up to Jesus Christ, whose teachings about love, forgiveness, justice, and caring for the poor form the spiritual foundation of my values. His example guides how I aim to lead—with compassion, courage, and a commitment to uplifting those who have been ignored or left behind.
I want to help establish a new Human Rights Bill that guarantees every American clean water, clean air, healthcare, a thriving wage, and the freedom to build a secure future. If I can play a role in creating a government that values human dignity above corporate profit or political power, that will be the legacy that matters.
I hope to be remembered as someone who brought honesty, empathy, and moral courage back into public life. Someone who refused to bow to corruption, who fought for working families, and who believed that the measure of a nation is how it treats its most vulnerable people. I want future generations to inherit a democracy stronger than the one we have today—one rooted in fairness, justice, and shared purpose.
On a personal level, I want my legacy to honor my parents, who taught me love, resilience, and compassion; to honor my daughter, whose future has guided my decisions; and to honor the people I’ve met across GA-14 who shared their struggles and inspired me to fight harder.
Ultimately, I want to leave behind a simple truth:
What inspires me most is that his strength didn’t come from power or anger, but from empathy, self-discipline, and a belief that even in the darkest times, light can return. He fought not to conquer, but to redeem. That message, and his refusal to give up on people, resonate deeply with me and guide how I try to lead in my own life.
Luke also represents transformation — the idea that anyone, no matter their past struggles or circumstances, can grow into someone who brings healing, justice, and balance to the world. That’s the essence of why I’m running: to help restore balance, protect human dignity, and give people hope again.
I also struggled for years with people-pleasing and carrying the weight of everyone’s expectations. I spent too much time trying to hold everything together for others while neglecting my own wellbeing. That pattern led me into burnout, unhealthy relationships, and moments where I felt completely lost. The hardest battles were the internal ones — learning to value myself, set boundaries, heal old wounds, and rise with a stronger sense of purpose.
But these struggles shaped me in essential ways. They taught me humility, empathy, and resilience. They gave me a deeper understanding of what so many people in our district face — financial stress, family conflict, loneliness, fear, and the feeling that life can hit harder than you ever imagined. They also helped me discover my moral compass and my commitment to service.
The House is also unique because representation is based on population. This ensures that every district, regardless of wealth or political influence, has an equal voice in shaping national policy. It is the chamber closest to everyday life—where rural towns, working families, and diverse communities all send someone directly accountable to them.
The House holds the exclusive power of the purse, giving it primary responsibility for federal spending, budgeting, and financial oversight. This makes it the key institution for shaping economic fairness and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly. It also has the sole authority to initiate impeachment, reinforcing the House’s role as the first line of defense against abuses of power.
As an institution, the House is built to be dynamic and generational. It is meant to evolve with the nation, bringing in new leaders, new perspectives, and new ideas far more frequently than any other branch. This structure aligns with my belief in term limits and generational renewal—ensuring Congress never becomes disconnected from the people it serves.
Political experience can sometimes help a representative navigate the system, build coalitions, and understand legislative processes. But too often, long-time political insiders become disconnected from the daily struggles of working families. They learn how to survive in Washington instead of how to change Washington. That’s why I believe strongly in term limits and generational renewal—so Congress continually benefits from new leaders shaped by the realities of their time, not the habits of the political class.
Some of America’s most transformative leaders came from outside the traditional political pipeline. People with backgrounds in business, community service, technology, healthcare, education, the military, or advocacy bring fresh perspectives that career politicians often lack. They understand what’s happening on the ground—what families are facing, what small businesses are struggling with, and how federal policies actually impact real life.
I believe the ideal Congress is a mix:
• Some members with practical legislative experience to help drive complex policy forward
• Many members with strong real-world backgrounds who represent the lived experience of their communities
• All members accountable to the people, not the system
Economically, we are entering an era where automation and artificial intelligence will transform nearly every job. Without bold new protections—like a thriving wage, AI-era worker security, and a modern social contract—millions of Americans risk being left behind. Rising costs for housing, healthcare, childcare, and energy continue to destabilize families while corporate profits soar.
We must also address the growing crises of mental health, addiction, and community fragmentation that have taken a toll on people across all backgrounds. These struggles are often symptoms of a system that has stopped valuing human dignity.
Environmentally, we face increasing threats from pollution, PFAS contamination, climate-driven weather events, and the decline of clean water and clean air—especially in rural communities that have been ignored for decades. Protecting natural resources is no longer optional; it is a human rights issue.
Finally, our nation must confront the rise of disinformation and political violence. We need leaders who will calm the temperature, restore trust, and rebuild a sense of shared purpose.
A shorter term forces elected officials to listen, engage, and deliver results. It prevents them from becoming complacent or insulated, and it ensures that the public has frequent opportunities to replace leaders who stop serving their communities. In a fast-changing world—shaped by rapid technological shifts, economic challenges, and evolving social needs—this direct accountability matters more than ever.
However, two-year terms alone are not enough to protect democracy. That’s why I pair this belief with my term limits proposal of five terms (ten years) for House members. This combination keeps the House dynamic and grounded in real life while still giving representatives enough time to gain experience, build coalitions, and pass meaningful legislation.
The Founders intended the House to be the “people’s chamber”—quick to respond, quick to adapt, and quick to course-correct when politicians lose their way. The two-year term is exactly what ensures that. It empowers voters, prevents entrenched power, and keeps the U.S. House aligned with the needs and values of each generation.
In short:
My proposal is designed around generational renewal—the belief that every generation deserves leaders who understand their unique challenges and the world they're inheriting. For the House of Representatives, I support a maximum of five terms (ten years), and for the U.S. Senate, a maximum of two terms (twelve years). This approach prevents career politicians from consolidating power while still allowing enough time for elected officials to learn their roles, build relationships, and deliver meaningful legislative results.
This structure ensures that new voices and new ideas consistently enter Congress. Every 15 to 20 years, America evolves dramatically—economically, technologically, and socially. Our representation must evolve with it. Term limits create a built-in pathway for generational leadership, reducing stagnation and empowering fresh leaders shaped by the realities of their time.
Ultimately, this policy reflects a foundational belief:
Congress should belong to the people, not to career politicians.
I admire leaders like Dennis Kucinich, who stood firm in their principles even under enormous pressure. His willingness to challenge powerful interests, oppose endless wars, and represent working families with heart and courage shaped my early activism and taught me the importance of moral clarity in public service.
I also draw inspiration from figures who led with compassion and conscience—people who understood that leadership is not about power, but about protecting the vulnerable and uplifting those left behind. Representatives who listened deeply to their communities, defended human rights, and were unafraid to speak truth to power have always resonated with me.
But ultimately, I’m not running to follow in someone else’s footsteps. I’m running to bring a new generation’s voice to Congress—one that reflects the struggles of working families, the urgency of our time, and the belief that government must once again belong to the people. I want to model myself after the best qualities of past leaders while forging a path built on accountability, transparency, empathy, and a relentless focus on human dignity.
Her story reflects what I’ve heard from so many people across our district—workers pushed into debt by rising costs, families skipping medical care, seniors rationing medications, and young people believing they’ll never afford a home. These aren’t isolated stories; they are symptoms of a broken system that prioritizes billionaires, corporations, and political games over human dignity.
Listening to her reminded me why I’m running. I’m not entering this race for titles or political ambition—I’m running because no American should feel abandoned in their own country. She deserves a representative who sees her, hears her, and fights for policies that give her and her children a real chance at stability and hope.
I believe in principled compromise: finding common ground without sacrificing human dignity, civil rights, or the wellbeing of our communities. When disagreement becomes an excuse for gridlock, Americans pay the price—through higher costs, broken systems, and political games that benefit no one but wealthy donors and lobbyists.
Compromise works when both sides negotiate in good faith and are focused on real solutions rather than political theater. I will work with anyone—Republican, Democrat, or Independent—if it means delivering better healthcare, cleaner water, stronger wages, and a safer, freer future for the people of Georgia’s 14th District.
But I will not compromise with corruption, hate, or authoritarianism. There can be no middle ground when the basic rights of Americans are on the line. The goal is not to “meet in the middle”—the goal is to solve problems.
This responsibility directly supports the core of my platform. Revenue policy determines whether we can fund clean water, affordable healthcare, thriving wages, rural revitalization, and investments in a new AI-era economy without leaving people behind. It also determines whether giant corporations and the ultra-wealthy continue avoiding their fair share while families in GA-14 struggle to get by.
I would use this authority to:
• End tax loopholes and special-interest giveaways that allow corporations and billionaires to hoard wealth while our communities fight rising costs.
• Redirect federal resources into the Human Rights Bill framework—clean air and water, healthcare access, education, rural infrastructure, and economic security.
• Build a fair tax structure that lifts burdens off working individuals, small businesses, and families while ensuring those who benefit most from America contribute fairly.
• Oppose any revenue measure that shifts costs downward or strips resources from the people who need them most.
• Strengthen transparency so the public can see exactly who benefits from every revenue bill.
The House must use its investigative authority to:
• Expose corruption, waste, fraud, and abuse whether it comes from government agencies, powerful corporations, or elected officials in either party.
• Protect the public interest by examining issues like healthcare pricing, pollution, PFAS contamination, corporate monopolies, and threats to our democratic institutions.
• Hold executives, bureaucrats, and contractors accountable when their actions harm the public or violate the Constitution.
• Ensure transparency in how federal dollars are spent, especially in areas like defense, technology, energy, and healthcare.
• Combat disinformation and foreign interference that threaten national security and destabilize our democracy.
• Safeguard civil and human rights, including investigating policies or practices that infringe on Americans’ freedoms or create systemic harm.
What the House should not do is turn oversight into a circus or use investigations as a tool of revenge, distraction, or political intimidation. When oversight becomes entertainment, the people lose faith in government—and the real issues get ignored.
But the part that means the most to me isn’t the financial success — it’s that I created something real during a time when many people told me I couldn’t. It taught me how to persevere, take risks, build relationships, and lead with integrity. Those lessons shaped my entire life.
I’m also proud of the years I spent caring for my parents as they aged and struggled with serious health challenges. Supporting them through those difficult chapters — and later honoring my father’s final years and wishes — was the hardest and most meaningful responsibility of my life. It taught me compassion, patience, and the deeper meaning of service.
Both accomplishments — building a business from nothing and caring for my family through the hardest moments — reflect the values I bring into public life: resilience, loyalty, a willingness to show up for people, and the belief that you never abandon those who depend on you.
Government must ensure that AI development is transparent, ethical, and aligned with democratic values. That means creating clear rules for data privacy, preventing AI-driven discrimination, and protecting citizens from invasive surveillance. It also means ensuring that corporations cannot use AI to undermine human rights, suppress wages, or manipulate political systems.
I believe Congress has a responsibility to:
• Establish a Digital & AI Bill of Rights protecting privacy, autonomy, and civil liberties.
• Ensure that AI does not replace workers without providing economic security, including exploring an AI Dividend Trust that returns productivity gains to the American people.
• Regulate powerful AI systems so they cannot be used for fraud, misinformation, or political manipulation.
• Guarantee transparency in how government agencies use AI, including strong oversight and public reporting.
• Support AI innovation that benefits society—such as medical research, climate solutions, defense readiness, and small-business tools—while preventing monopolies from controlling the technology.
• Prepare workers and students for the new economy through education, retraining, and thriving-wage standards.
AI must be developed in a way that strengthens democracy, expands opportunity, and protects human dignity. Government cannot sit on the sidelines while corporations rush ahead. We must ensure AI becomes a tool that empowers people—not one that displaces them or concentrates even more power in the hands of billionaires and tech giants.
I would support and introduce legislation to:
• Protect the right to vote as a constitutional guarantee, ensuring no state can suppress turnout through restrictive ID laws, polling closures, or discriminatory barriers.
• Expand secure, convenient voting options, including early voting, mail-in voting, and modernized, accessible polling locations—especially in rural communities like those in GA-14.
• Enact a nationwide nonpartisan redistricting standard to end gerrymandering and ensure every district reflects real communities, not political manipulation.
• Require transparent, auditable election systems with paper backups, routine audits, and strong cybersecurity protections to defend against hacking, foreign interference, and internal tampering.
• Ban dark money in elections by requiring full disclosure of donors behind PACs, super PACs, nonprofits, and online political advertising.
• Limit corporate and billionaire influence by creating strict contribution caps, expanding small-donor matching programs, and prohibiting elected officials from fundraising while Congress is in session.
• Protect election workers and volunteers, strengthening penalties for threats, intimidation, or harassment.
• Establish uniform national standards for vote counting, certification, chain-of-custody procedures, and ballot access—eliminating confusion that parties misuse for political advantage.
• Regulate the use of AI in elections, banning AI-generated disinformation, deepfakes, and algorithmic voter suppression tactics.
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Campaign finance summary
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See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on November 20, 2025
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