HAPEVILLE, Ga. — The heart of the upcoming general election lies with voters -- and 11Alive's politics show, The Georgia Vote, is working to make sure they stay at the center of the conversation.
This week's Voice of the Voter is a Hapeville chef and entrepreneur.
Meet Wade McSwain, metro Atlanta restaurant owner
Wade McSwain, the owner of Pit Boss BBQ and Spirits, has been cooking his whole life.
"I cooked the first meal, Sunday dinner, for my family when I was 12. But before that, I couldn't even see on top of the stove and my mom said, 'get up here on this stool, watch what I'm doing, because one day you might have to cook for yourself.'"
He said he finds nothing more pleasurable than people enjoying his food. He often thinks of his mom when he's in the kitchen and serving others.
"I think she'd be really proud," he said.
Issues he cares about
Conflict overseas
McSwain said one of the issues that worries him deals with some of the unrest that's happening in other countries.
"In the Middle East. How are they going to tackle that? I guess there's always been some kind of unrest or things going on in the Middle East," he said. "That bothers me."
The economy
McSwain said that the nation's economy is the biggest issue that will govern how he votes in November.
"Who can I trust to make an impact on the economy?" he asked. "That's the one I want to vote for. I think that directly affects everybody."
"Whoever that person is, whoever I decide, I want to know that they're going to do the best thing for America as a whole," he added.
What he's optimistic about
The chef said despite the challenges he sees in the world, the people around him keep him optimistic.
"I believe in people," said the chef.
"A lot Americans, they are inherently good people and they want the best for each other," he said. "They're God-fearing, hardworking people, I feel like myself. Because I see them in my restaurant every day and I talk to them."
Watch our Voice of the Voter segment during The Georgia Vote Sundays at 11 a.m. on WXIA.