Issues
Fighting for Us
Introduction
As a lifelong public servant, caregiver, and grassroots organizer, I’ve seen how broken our systems are, and how deeply people are hurting. But I’ve also seen what’s possible when we come together and demand better. I’m running for Congress in California’s 7th District because it’s time for leadership that doesn’t just listen, but leads with purpose, passion, and conviction. These are the issues that matter to me because they matter to you.
Medicare for All
Healthcare is a human right, not a luxury. After caring for both of my parents through serious illnesses, I’ve seen how unfair and fragmented our system really is. Even with “good” coverage, basic, essential procedures can cost thousands. That’s why I’m fighting for Medicare for All. Because no one should go bankrupt to stay alive. I’ve spent years advocating on Capitol Hill for colorectal cancer research and policy reform. Now, I’m ready to bring that same fire to Congress and guarantee universal healthcare for everyone, regardless of income or employment.
Housing as a Human Right
In Sacramento, I’ve watched the cost of housing skyrocket while wages have barely budged. Apartments I once rented now cost double. Meanwhile, more and more of our neighbors are being pushed out and onto the streets. As a renter myself, I know this crisis isn’t abstract. It’s personal. I support smart, inclusive development and sustainable housing policies that ensure every person has a safe place to call home. No one should be unhoused in the richest country on Earth.
$25 Minimum Wage
No one working full-time should be living in poverty. Period. Our minimum wage hasn’t kept pace with the cost of living, and it’s time we fix that. I support raising the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour to reflect today’s economic realities and uplift all workers. I’ve worked in low-wage jobs, and I know the struggle of trying to make ends meet. All work is skilled work, and our policies must start treating it that way.
Climate Action Now
The climate crisis isn’t coming. It’s already here. From Sacramento’s catastrophic floods to record-breaking heat waves, we’re living the consequences of inaction. I’ll fight for bold, urgent legislation that invests in clean energy, energy efficiency, and climate resilience. Congress has dragged its feet for too long. I won’t. Because our kids, our planet, and our future can’t wait.
Money Out of Politics
Corporate money is rotting our democracy from the inside out. I’ve seen how Super PACs and dark money distort elections and silence grassroots candidates. That’s why I refuse corporate PAC money, and why I’ll fight to end Citizens United, reform campaign finance laws, and make elections about ideas, not donors. When we get money out of politics, we make room for real representation. People like me who understand working-class struggles because they’ve lived them.
Free Community College
I’m a proud graduate of Sacramento public schools and community colleges. I’ve taken classes at ARC, Sierra College, and CSUS, and I know how vital these institutions are. That’s why I believe community college should be free. Plain and simple. Education is a public good, not a private burden. We must fund our schools, uplift our educators, and invest in every student’s future.
Student Debt Relief
Like many Americans, I’m still paying off student loans decades after enrolling. And yes, trade school counts, too. I took out loans in 2011 and will be paying them into my 50s. This system is broken. I support bold student debt relief and making higher education, including trade and technical training, affordable and accessible. No one should have to mortgage their future for the chance to build one.
Criminal Justice Reform
I’ve worked inside Folsom State Prison, where I witnessed firsthand the failures of our justice system. Overcrowded cells. Recidivism instead of rehabilitation. Lives wasted because the system prioritized punishment over healing. I support sentencing reform and expanding programs that offer incarcerated people real skills and second chances. Justice should heal, not harm.
Reproductive Freedom & Maternal Health
I’m proudly pro-choice. Abortion is healthcare, and politicians have no business interfering in private medical decisions. But reproductive justice also means addressing our maternal mortality crisis, especially in low-income and marginalized communities. I’ll fight for expanded maternal health care, more research funding, and policies that ensure safe, respectful care for every birthing person.
Support for Veterans & Caregivers
My father was a Vietnam veteran and a lifelong advocate for unhoused veterans. He showed me how broken our systems of care are and how much better we can do. I support fully funding veteran housing and healthcare programs, cutting VA red tape, and guaranteeing caregivers the wages and respect they deserve. If we can fund endless wars, we can fund real support for those who served.
Human Rights-Driven Foreign Policy
Our values shouldn’t stop at the water’s edge. I believe in a foreign policy rooted in human rights, accountability, and peace. That means supporting allies when they uphold international law and holding them accountable when they don’t. I support fair trials for detained Palestinians, an end to indefinite detention, and renewed diplomatic relationships with key global partners. We must lead with integrity on the world stage.
