Education
Michigan State University B.A. (Political Theory and Constitution Democracy)
Qualifications and Experience
State Representative (2020-2024) & Majority Floor Leader (2022-2024)
Michigan's schools are underfunded and inequitably distributed, with zip code determining opportunity more than any standard of fairness. I will fight for an equitable funding formula directing more resources to high-need districts, stop diversions from the school aid fund, and oppose every voucher scheme redirecting public dollars from public schools. I support raising teacher pay, restoring defined benefit retirement, establishing class size limits, and expanding loan forgiveness. On testing, assessments should measure student growth and inform instruction, not punish schools already struggling.
My campaign is built on three primary measures to address affordability across Michigan. First, we must freeze DTE bills that have consistently skyrocketed for five years and establish guardrails for future rate hikes. Second, we will truly end the zip code tax on auto insurance that has left Detroit and Downriver paying some of the highest rates in the state. Third, we will deliver universal childcare so that every family can access high quality, affordable care regardless of income or zip code, because raising the next generation should be a source of pride, not financial fear.
Michigan families deserve reliable, affordable, clean energy, and right now they are getting none of those things from monopoly utilities that raise rates while delivering worse service. I will freeze DTE rate increases for five years, make every rate case a contested proceeding, and ban utilities from spending ratepayer money on politics. I will fight to fully implement the Clean Energy and Jobs Act, expand community solar, strengthen EGLE enforcement against polluters, and ensure the clean energy transition creates prevailing wage union jobs for Michigan workers.
Every person in Michigan, regardless of immigration status, is entitled to due process, free speech, and protection from unreasonable search and seizure. As the son of immigrants, this is personal. I will oppose local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, protect sensitive locations like schools and hospitals from enforcement actions, prohibit sharing residents' identifying information without a court-issued warrant, ban immigration officers from wearing masks or disguises, and fight to pass the Drive Safe bills. Rights are not conditional on citizenship, and I will govern accordingly.
Occupation / Current Position
City of Detroit Director of Small Business Affairs
Education
Columbia Law School
Qualifications and Experience
Detroit's Director of Small Business Affairs, Adjunct Law Prof. at Detroit Mercy School, Organizer for the Sierra Club, former DNC Delegate, and board member of United Community Housing Coalition
Michigan’s education system is underfunded, uneven, and too often shaped by zip code. As the son of a teacher and a professor at Detroit Mercy Law, I believe we must invest in educators, students, and safe school buildings. I support establishing a permanent School Infrastructure Fund, fighting for equitable funding, higher teacher and staff pay, and expanding skilled trades/CTE. On testing, accountability matters, but we should end duplicative overtesting and stop using test scores to punish schools or unfairly evaluate teachers.
Michigan families need higher wages and lower costs. As Detroit’s first Director of Small Business Affairs and given my work teaching Labor Law, I have worked to support small businesses, startups, neighborhood growth, and workers. I support raising wages, cracking down on wage theft, protecting collective bargaining, repealing the ban on project labor agreements, expanding local hiring, and helping small businesses access capital. To address affordability, I would fight to lower utility, housing, prescription drug, medical, childcare, and auto insurance costs.
I began my career as an environmental justice organizer in Detroit and Downriver, helping pass the Detroit River Protection Ordinance and standing up to polluters. Michigan needs reliable energy, but it must be affordable and clean. I support cumulative impact protections, Polluter Pay, strong air and water enforcement, lead line replacement, and requiring polluter fines to benefit impacted communities. I also support investing in energy efficiency/weatherization, stronger shutoff protections, and water affordability legislation so no family goes without.
I believe due process, free speech, and constitutional rights apply to everyone in Michigan. On immigration, I support protecting sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and houses of worship from federal Trump administration overreach; strong workplace protections; and transparency so families are not mistreated.
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