There are so many issues that plague our nation today, it would be hard to list them all, but the roots are almost always the same: greed, bigotry, and stagnation. I am running to represent California’s 26th district because our country is being run into the ground by fascists and the people in the best position to directly push back are rolling over and giving up. It’s a tragedy that firefighters, nurses, teachers, farmworkers, and garbage disposal workers; the people who keep us safe, healthy, educated, fed, and clean are struggling to live while CEOs whose whole job is finding reasons to deny people healthcare rake in millions. This country must shift radically to value the well being of every single person who lives here.
I was born in Thousand Oaks and grew up in Simi Valley, I went to CSUN and have worked serving the community in education, as an interpreter, and helping ensure that caregivers receive important and useful training. I was raised to believe in the golden rule: “to treat others the way you want to be treated”, and that is a mantra that I take with me everyday. As part of that, I believe everyone deserves to live a good, safe, and healthy life. We live in the wealthiest state in the wealthiest country in the world. Nobody should have to go to bed hungry. Nobody should have to decide between paying for healthcare or rent. Nobody should have to wonder if they will be able to find a warm, safe place to sleep at night.
We are facing so many problems today it can seem like they are impossible to overcome. The lucky thing is that the problems we are facing have proven solutions, the issue is that the politicians, the billionaire class, and corporations have decided they will make more money and have more power if they let the problems fester. Many are actively profiting off making our problems worse, pumping more fossil fuels, raising rents on 60 year old housing that hasn’t been upgraded since the 80s, trying to replace as many people as they can with so-called “AI”.
What we need is bold action to face these crises head on. We can’t hide from the cost-of-living crisis, whether that’s rent, food prices, healthcare, education, and beyond. We can’t pretend that climate change isn’t happening and that we have no effect on it. We can’t allow billionaires and corporations to hide their wealth, avoid paying taxes, and continue price-gouging us, while reporting record profits. We can't sit on our hands and watch as our good, hardworking neighbors are dragged out of their homes, out of their jobs, and away from their children just because a small number of powerful racists says so. We can’t stand any more of our civil rights or human rights being taken away.
I love CA-26, I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend my life here. I love how our district has been able to preserve vast natural and agricultural space compared to neighboring areas. The numerous hiking trails, beaches, and natural wonders that surround us represent a unique and beautiful resource to the people who live here. The agricultural land that has been preserved contributes impressively to our local economy and culture. I love that our district has so many amazing, local restaurants that are owned and operated by people who live here. I believe that CA-26 can demonstrate a new path forward for the future development of California and the nation.
