Having worked as a scientist who helped get line-item legislative approval for the multimillion National Ecological Observatory Network - and having worked as an ecologist with a doctorate in ecosystems analysis - Rand Knight certainly has deep-rooted care for the environment and issues related to it.

But it's connecting that environmental outlook and knowledge to other top issues such as the economy, health care and the Iraq War that's going to make the country shine, Knight believes. He wants to weave his science background with business experience for innovative problem solving. That is the reason he has decided to run for U.S. Senate, representing Georgia.

He announced his candidacy in June. The Atlanta native will face off against other Democrats in the summer primaries, and he hopes to challenge incumbent Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Moultrie) in the fall.

The health of Americans is affected by the burning of coal and automobile exhaust, he said.

"The environment is tied to health care, economy and everything," he said. "I don't separate it. We're spending $2 billion to $3 billion a day in foreign fuels. Sending money overseas for foreign oil to countries that are holding us hostage is destroying our way of life."

If that money was put into the U.S., and government was devoted to programs that focus on green technology, there could be 40 million new jobs by 2030 - far outstripping the number of jobs ever created at one time, he said.

"This is how we are going to stabilize the country - It's the right thing to do and it's profitable," Knight said.

He said middle class job creation can be done through federal investments in Georgia's agricultural industries.

Knight - who has been endorsed by Georgia's largest of three Teamsters union locals, Local 728 - is a big proponent of creating jobs, feeding money into local manufacturing and spending money in this country rather than sending it overseas.

He said, while it is nice that Americans are going to get some money in their pockets from the tax rebate checks coming in May, the government is going to have to borrow money from China to do it. And then, Americans are going to take their money and spend it on products manufactured in foreign countries because "we don't make anything here anymore."

Knight, who has not made any political runs in the past, said men and women seeking office need to understand science, technology and policy in order to get legislation through Congress. He said a person does not need 30 years experience in politics, "We need the kind of people that understand the issues."

"They are all complex and emotional issues that have unintended consequences and involve many levels of science - the kind of issues that I've been dealing with the last 20 years," he said. "It's about people who can inspire and confidently pitch these things. I've learned how to sell to representatives and the agencies that are going to approve these things."

Regarding immigration, Knight believes there are enough laws on the books, "We just have to enforce them."

"We need to hold employers responsible for hiring undocumented immigrants and stop blaming the people," he said.

He proposes more funding to organizations responsible for carrying out the laws already in place.

He said, perhaps more importantly, he is focused on our borders to ensure biological and chemical weapons don't get in.

"There are dirty bombs out there that, although they might not kill a lot of people, could shut down major cities for 200 years," the director at the market intelligence firm, QL2, working in national security technology and consulting, said. "We are at risk here at home. I am a proponent for strong defense, and that is why we need to bring our troops home to protect our people."

Regarding the Iraq War, Knight believes the country needs to use the $400,000 it sometimes costs a single aircraft to fly and land once in the region, and the other costs related to the war, used to help create jobs, add schools, raise teachers salaries and give efficiency upgrades for 2 million homes here.

Knight was born in Atlanta and has roots in Georgia that go back more than fifteen generations on his father's side. He attended The Westminster Schools, a Christian independent day school, for 13 years on a scholarship. After graduating he spent a summer interning under the Vice President of Environmental Policy at Turner Productions then attended Middlebury College in Vermont, graduating with honors in environmental studies. He completed his Master's of Science at the University of Washington in Seattle in 1997 and earned a Ph.D. in ecosystems analysis at the University of Washington in 2003.

He is 36 years old, married to wife, Linda, and has two children, Ellie Lu, 3, and 9-month-old Thomas.

Former Congresswoman Denise Majette has endorsed Knight saying, "We as Georgians are lucky to have the opportunity to elect a candidate who will be among the next generation of leaders at the forefront of change."

bwilson@mdjonline.com

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