I was born a son of immigrants and a child of poverty. My parents sacrificed everything to come to this country, seeking a better life for my brother and me. They started a used car dealership in a small Oregon town, and initially, things went well. But in 2008, the financial crisis hit, pushing my family, like so many others, to the brink. I watched my parents struggle daily to make ends meet and witnessed my father break down in tears, wondering how he would provide for us. Those moments shaped me, teaching me resilience and fueling my determination. As a result, I earned a full-ride scholarship to the University of Chicago.
In Illinois, I secured an internship with the Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI), an organization dedicated to empowering low-income parents of color across the state. It was a remarkable opportunity to support families like my own, who know the pain of economic hardship all too well. While working at COFI and attending the University of Chicago, I also joined the U.S. Army, proudly following in the footsteps of many of my cousins in serving our nation. These experiences brought me into contact with people from every walk of life, showing me that despite our differences, we can find unity in a shared purpose and come together to serve and strengthen our country.
After deploying to the Middle East from summer 2019 to summer 2020, I returned stateside and resumed organizing. I also joined Illinois Veterans for Change, the largest Democratic veteran organization in Illinois, where we work to reclaim patriotism, support Democratic veterans running for office, and expand the Democratic Party’s reach.
Over the past few years, I’ve been incredibly fortunate. I now serve as the Family and Community Engagement Lead for Raising Illinois, the state’s largest advocacy coalition. In this role, I host community forums across Illinois to ensure the voices of all community members shape the work being done in Springfield. I also became the Chair of Illinois Veterans for Change, traveling to over 40 counties to speak at Democratic events and advocate for reclaiming patriotism. Additionally, I serve as the Executive Director of the Evanston Early Childhood Council, connecting low-income families to early childhood resources, and as the Coordinator for the United Palatine Coalition, uniting local nonprofits to drive collective change.
My story is an American story. From a young age, I was taught to believe in the American Dream—the promise that hard work leads to a better life for you and your family. But growing up in poverty, organizing in impoverished communities, and working with people from all backgrounds, I’ve seen that while the American Dream is beautiful, it is increasingly out of reach for too many. That’s why I am running for State Representative. I want to restore the American Dream by rewarding hard work, expanding the Earned Income and Child Tax Credits, and creating economic security for families. I will support small businesses through targeted tax credits to create good, 21st-century jobs with affordable childcare and parental leave, so parents don’t have to choose between work and family. I will prioritize investments in early childhood education and mental health to save money in the long term while creating opportunities today. Above all, I will fight for a brighter Illinois, where a child’s future is determined not by the ZIP code they are raised in, but by the potential they hold.