Training and Experience
Sr Cybersecurity Analyst, Officer in the US Army Reserve
Volunteer/Community Service
Board Member, Highland West Civic Association 2nd Vice, AMVETS Post 1928 Volunteer, Saints Alive Homeless Community Outreach
We need to invest in education and vocational programs for a changing workforce. As State Representative, I will fight to increase school funding for public and vocational education. I will help lift barriers to home ownership which will help cut taxes for the middle class. The opioid crisis is a huge issue that impacts every region of our state, and I will work to increase access to treatment and prevention initiatives, leveraging my background/undergrad degree in social work.
The bills that have passed in the past decade are full of solutions in search of problems. Requiring a photo ID to vote, for one, should be rolled back. It disenfranchises Ohioans, especially those in vulnerable populations. We need to do more to encourage voting, not use public policy to play into fears and falsehoods.
I strongly support efforts to put the redistricting pen back in the hands of citizens. Giving people the ability to truly hold their elected officials accountable is crucial to the future of our state. Politicians have used redistricting as a way to consolidate power for generations while diluting the will and rights of the voters by splitting communities. A sound voting and elections policy starts with fair districts.
Growing Ohio’s economy is about investment. We need to invest in infrastructure, from roads and bridges to water lines and broadband internet, we need high quality infrastructure to prepare for the future. We need to invest in our people. High quality education no matter your zip code, workforce training, and professionals in our schools to help with mental health and socioeconomic issues. We need to end policies that are driving people away from our state. Investing in our future will provide job opportunities and set Ohio up for a prosperous future.
As the only Democratic candidate in this race with experience building workforce development programs, I know that we need to expand vocational programs in schools to bridge the skills gap between employers and potential employees. We need programs to bring more tech programs to, for instance, fill the over 700,000 open cybersecurity jobs that are out there right now. Good, high-paying jobs that allow people to put food on the table for their families and have enough left over to afford a home and invest, that's what we all want and I have experience building and teaching these workforce development programs to do just that.
Local governments around the state have been forced to take levies to the ballot because they are being underfunded by the state. The local government fund was slashed in the early 2010s and our cities, villages, and townships have yet to recover. Our police, fire, and public services are suffering while the state sets on a huge rainy day fund. We should spread the wealth. It is our job to provide support to our local governments so they can provide the basic services Ohioans need.
Healthcare is a right. I support increasing access and affordability to health coverage. I oppose any requirements to Medicaid that limits people and families in need from being able to get the care they need.
We should do all we can to support the natural beauty of Ohio and the future of our planet. We need to do more to expand green energy projects and move energy production into the future. We should not be drilling in our State Parks. It goes against the foundation of the creation of State Parks as a place to preserve our state's flora and fauna. They provide outdoor recreation space for fishing, hiking, and more. We should not be an oil spill away from losing it all.
There should be express laws protecting people from discrimination. We should be able to hold people accountable for their actions. No LGBTQ+ person should worry that posting pictures of their wedding will cost them their job or their housing. Hate has no place in Ohio.
Training and Experience
Obama 2012 Organizer, Everytown for Gun Safety Organizer, Ohio Democratic Party Data Director, Pro Bono Attorney, and Activist
Volunteer/Community Service
Repeated volunteer with Columbus Legal Aid's Tenant's Advocacy Project. Greater Hilltop Area Commissioner for 3 years, with 2 years serving as Zoning Chair.
My top priority is that every citizen should have a safe, clean community. This is the absolute basic requirement of good governance, Ohio is not getting this right. The state needs to provide tools to local government to be the leaders in sustainable development patterns. I will encourage common sense gun laws to keep guns out of the hands of children. I will encourage stewardship of clean air and water, and encourage policy to reduce waste.
Gerrymandering is a sin against democracy. We must work hard to end the practice, and put non-partisan citizen commissions in charge of drawing districts, to ensure that no political party becomes so entrenched that they no longer have to listen to their voters. There is nothing worse than a single-party echo chamber for the future of democracy.
The economy of the future will rely on highly automated clean manufacturing. Ohio can be a leader in this innovation by investing in education and clean energy jobs. If Ohio does not lead with a strong education system to develop the skills necessary in a future workforce, and if it allows clean manufacturing to be passed by, then those jobs will simply go elsewhere.
We need to protect our water-ways. Ohio's abundant water supply is one of its strongest resources, which means factories like Intel are building to have access to it. To fill those factories, we need well-educated workers and abundant, affordable housing to keep economic growth sustainable.
My son is a current student at Columbus City Schools, and my daughter will be entering Columbus City Schools in the fall. K-12 education is deeply personal to me. My top priorities with K-12 education would be getting the state out of the way of our quality teachers, allowing them to focus on the pure basics of a good education. We need to get away from the trend of making teachers responsible for state-sponsored censorship so Ohio does not become the next Florida: lagging behind in achievement, and encouraging brain drain.
The state has a responsibility to intervene when local government has violated the civil liberties or rights of its citizens. It has a right to set bureaucratic standards, but it should steer away from unfunded mandates and limits on local government’s ability to pay for its own services.
Black maternal and infant mortality is unacceptably high in Ohio, and the cost of care is too high. Healthcare is a fundamental right that every citizen is entitled to receive. All healthcare policy should begin with that right in mind.
I believe in a combination of excise taxes and subsidies to transition to clean energy. We should encourage the development of clean energy jobs most particularly in the parts of the state where coal and gas will eventually be displaced. While the survival of humans on earth is dependent on clean energy, we must also be just in ensuring the transition does not leave working class Ohioans behind.
Our strongest, most vital resource is our abundance of clean, fresh water. Much of the United States will be water scarce, but Ohio will likely remain water abundant far into the future. This makes protection of our waterways extremely vital for current and future generations.
In current society, discrimination is inevitable.
The state has a strong role to play in correcting, punishing, and discouraging discrimination. It also has a role to play in educating employers and individuals on identifying and preventing discrimination. It should also play a role in rewarding self-reporting and sharing of best practices to prevent discrimination.
The government has a role to play in repairing the harms done by past discrimination. It can and should put resources into previously redlined neighborhoods, restoring them and upgrading their infrastructure which too often continues to be ignored.
The government can provide scholarships and grants to uplift women, racial minorities and economically disadvantaged families.
Volunteer/Community Service
Second term as a Commissioner on the West Scioto Area Commission, serves on the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission Community Advisory Committee
I am running with a commitment to these three core values: Opportunity, Freedom, and Security. My fight for Ohioans isn't just a political promise; it's a personal mission. I am ready to champion policies that ensure every Westsider has a fair shot at living their American Dream. Honoring hard work, protecting our community through adequate funding for first responders, and ensuring every child in Ohio has access to a high-quality public education, protecting access to healthcare, standing up for freedom of choice when making healthcare choices, creating more attainable housing, and supporting our business community by cutting red tape are the issues I plan to tackle on day one.
I support more transparency in the redistricting process and have been collecting signatures for the ballot initiative to establish an independent redistricting
commission responsible for drawing both Statehouse and
Congressional district maps. The commission should be non-partisan and include diverse
representation from different political affiliations and demographics. I support this change to ensure that the redistricting process complies with the Voting Rights Act and protects the representation of minority communities across Ohio. As State Rep, I will work to prevent the dilution of minority voting power and advocate for districts that provide fair opportunities for diverse representation.
To keep jobs in Ohio and bring more to our community, I will advocate for streamlining bureaucratic processes that impede our business community without serving the common good. I believe this makes me the right candidate for the small business community as I will listen to their needs with an open mind, and make policy decisions based on what best serves my district and the economic future of the State of Ohio. Our business community is a diverse group of people that all deserve to be treated fairly under Ohio law and want to stay in Ohio because we are the right place to do business in.
As the son of a public school teacher, I support our public schools and the teachers and staff that keep them running. To provide our kids with the best possible education, we must continue funding the new school funding plan that was implemented in the last five years. We also must continue to find solutions to bring us closer to equitable school funding to ensure that schools in predominantly Black communities receive the necessary resources to narrow disparities.
I also believe we must increase access to education opportunities for all kids by expanding access to public education, including early childhood education, two or four-year college programs, as well as access to apprenticeship programs.
I am a strong believer in local control and allowing local leaders to make choices that are best for their community. The state should defer to those that know their community best to make choices on local issues. The role of state level government should be limited at the local level when possible.
Ensuring that women in Ohio have access to all reproductive choices is essential to keeping Ohio a welcoming state to live in. Bans on abortion and reproductive healthcare are un-American and further the divide between men and women when it comes to the wage gap, educational attainment, and ability of women to control their future.
Promote renewable energy initiatives, such as wind and solar power, through economic incentives. Enhance current energy efficiency programs for our business community to adopt climate-friendly choices. Invest in climate-resilient infrastructure to prepare for the impacts of
climate change, such as extreme weather events that will continue to worsen in the near future. Implement conservation programs that engage communities, landowners, and businesses to promote sustainable land use practices that focus on infill when developing instead of suburban sprawl.
As a gay man, I know what it feels like to be the target of discrimination. Unfortunately in Ohio, under our current leaders, the LGBTQ community is living through the government directly attacking us today. Enough is enough. We are all tired of politicians that are more focused on creating culture wars, banning books and abortion instead of fighting to put money back in our pockets. The government must combat discrimination in all forms, against all minority groups, to ensure all Ohioans have a chance to live their American dream.
Training and Experience
MPA, PHR
Volunteer/Community Service
Highland Youth Garden, Ohio Democratic Party, Franklin County Democratic Party, Moderation Management, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
My top priorities are the health of our neighbors, supporting working families, and protecting the environment. We must prioritize preventative mental and physical health care by investing in gun safety measures, protecting abortion rights, and expanding Medicaid and Medicare coverage. To support working families, we must increase the minimum wage, make childcare affordable, and invest in infrastructure and transportation. Simultaneously, I will fight to ensure our neighbors have access to clean drinking water, protect public lands, and invest in clean energy. Addressing these top priorities fosters healthier, safer, and more prosperous communities.
Democracy is constantly being threatened in the U.S., and Ohio’s democratic process is at risk. We have an opportunity to change that this year with the Citizens not Politicians redistricting amendment and the Voting Rights Ballot Initiative. These initiatives can help ensure Ohioans have fair maps. In addition, I proudly support policies that enhance opportunities for Ohioans to participate in the democratic process. I support robust campaign finance reform such as lowering the maximum limit on contributions from PACs and individuals, increasing the number of ballot drop boxes, extending the timeframe for early voting, increasing funding to board of elections, and making Election Day a state holiday.
With Columbus' ongoing growth, Ohio has the potential to become an economic powerhouse. Leveraging our manufacturing base, creative vision, and determination can bolster the economy and bring job opportunities to Ohio. Legislative focus on green energy and electric vehicle manufacturing, alongside support for small businesses, can drive growth in communities like Hilltop, Scioto West, and statewide. It’s also important that we continue to support our brothers and sisters in labor, because good jobs are Union jobs.
Ohio must invest in public education. The Statehouse can support K-12 and higher education by funding the Fair School Funding Plan for equitable access, addressing staffing shortages, and halting private school voucher expansions. Additionally, we should repeal harmful legislation such as the mandatory student retention under the Third Grade Reading Guarantee and Senate Bill 83, the Ohio Higher Education Enhancement Act. Simultaneously, we must support student and staff well-being, alongside defending collective bargaining rights for educators.
Checks and balances are incredibly important to our Democracy, as well as supporting various levels of government. Specifically, the state government should support local government when resources or expertise is needed to make governance more efficient for the people it serves. Some examples of this might include guidance in infrastructure or public safety, review concerns of corruption or fairness, and emergency response. Ultimately, the balance between state support and oversight of local government should aim to promote efficient governance while respecting local autonomy.
I support universal health care. Simultaneously, investing in preventative care is crucial to the wellness of our community and will alleviate financial stress for many of our neighbors. We must reduce prescription drug costs, set maximum prices for life-saving medications, minimize administrative barriers, expand Medicaid and Medicare coverage, minimize medical debt, and invest in the mental health workforce. Simultaneously, the State legislators must ensure Ohioans have access to affordable preventative care, from vaccines, annual check-ups, and telehealth to therapy, harm reduction services, and medication-assisted treatment.
Ohio faces critical environmental challenges, notably clean water, protection of public lands, and the promotion of clean energy. Despite abundant freshwater resources, safe and affordable drinking water remains limited due to pollutants and industrial runoff, affecting communities statewide. Legislation prioritizing water resource protection and infrastructure updates, including replacing lead pipes, is imperative for ensuring access to safe water for all Ohioans. Additionally, protecting public lands from fracking, clearcutting, and fossil fuel extraction is vital. Furthermore, investing in clean energy sources like solar and wind is essential for combating climate change and reducing reliance on non-renewable energy.
For far too long, leaders have upheld a system that not only harms communities of color everyday but also intentionally pushes minorities further into the margins. Disparities exist not only in health care but also infrastructures directly related to health care including education, criminal justice, workforce, and housing. We have to make sure we eliminate inequities in housing, childcare, mental health care, education, workforce, and environmental wellness. While there is not a single solution to addressing discrimination as it exists permeating throughout our systems, state legislators should fight to ensure no person is discriminated against.
Volunteer/Community Service
COSI Community Board, Greater Hilltop Area Commission, BDPA (Black Data Processing Associates), Columbus Community Relations Commission, New American Advisory Council
1. The commitment to investing in Education and Workforce Development includes supporting education and skills training programs to align the workforce with the demands of emerging industries. Focus on promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education to prepare individuals for high-demand, well-paying jobs.
2. Advocate for increased funding and access to mental health services. Collaborate with healthcare providers, community organizations, and mental health professionals to address underlying issues contributing to safety concerns. Support legislation related to gun safety and violence prevention.
Support policies allowing eligible individuals to register and vote on the same day, promoting greater inclusivity and reducing barriers for last-minute voters.
Advocate for making Election Day a national or state holiday to increase voter turnout by providing individuals with more time to cast their ballots like they do in Puerto Rico.
Implement AVR policies that automatically register eligible citizens to vote when they interact with government agencies, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles or public assistance programs
Bringing economic and job opportunities to Ohio requires a comprehensive strategy that addresses various aspects of the economy. The state government can consider several approaches, such as investing in workforce development, promoting innovation and technology, supporting small businesses, and diversifying industries. Additionally, initiatives like infrastructure investment, tax incentives for businesses, and revitalizing communities can contribute to economic growth. Collaboration with educational institutions, the private sector, and community stakeholders is crucial, and regular evaluation and adaptation of policies based on economic trends and community needs are essential for successful economic development efforts.
Actively advocate for heightened funding for K-12 education, ensuring that schools have the necessary resources for quality instruction, infrastructure, and student support services. This is particularly crucial for addressing underperforming schools in our district, which negatively impacts the quality of life and prospects for good-paying jobs or college enrollment for our youth.
Advocate for policies aimed at improving the affordability of higher education, including measures such as tuition assistance programs, scholarships, and reforms in financial aid.
Facilitate collaborations between higher education institutions and industries to guarantee that academic programs align with the skills and knowledge required by the workforce.
Education Funding:
Support: States often allocate funds to support education at the local level. Financial assistance can help maintain educational standards and address disparities between affluent and less affluent districts.
Check: If there are concerns about mismanagement of education funds or inequalities in educational outcomes, the state may intervene to assist these issues.
Infrastructure Projects:
Support: States can support local governments in implementing infrastructure projects by providing funding, technical expertise, or coordinating regional development initiatives.
Check: The state may assist or review local government infrastructure projects to ensure they align with broader state goals and adhere to regulations.
Ensuring accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare for all residents of our state. I would advocate for policies that strive towards universal access to healthcare, recognizing the importance of ensuring that all residents have the opportunity to receive necessary medical care.
I would support initiatives that prioritize preventive care and public health.
Recognizing the critical importance of mental health, my position would include advocating for increased access to mental health services. This involves destigmatizing mental health issues and ensuring that mental health is integrated into overall healthcare policies.
I would work towards healthcare policies that promote equity, addressing disparities in healthcare outcomes.
I advocate for robust environmental conservation measures to protect our state's ecosystems, wildlife, and biodiversity. This includes supporting policies that preserve natural habitats, promote reforestation, and address the impact of human activities on the environment.
I advocate for responsible water resource management to ensure the availability of clean water for current and future generations.
Addressing climate change is a critical priority. I support policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing resilience to climate impacts, and fostering community awareness about climate-related challenges.
Governments should enact comprehensive anti-discrimination laws that explicitly prohibit discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Additionally, they must actively enforce these laws to ensure compliance and hold perpetrators accountable.
Governments should enact comprehensive anti-discrimination laws that explicitly prohibit discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Additionally, they must actively enforce these laws to ensure compliance and hold perpetrators accountable.
Training and Experience
Lead Ohio, New American Leadership Training
Volunteer/Community Service
Many Central Ohio Democratic campaigns, Voter turnout, Community Health Outreach
My top priorities include ensuring access to affordable and quality healthcare, fostering economic growth and job creation, securing sufficient funding for public schools, and advocating for social justice. I will work to expand Medicaid, support small business initiatives, invest in infrastructure, and address systemic racism in all societal aspects
I support policies that make voting more accessible and secure for every Ohioan. This includes opposing restrictive ID laws that disenfranchise voters, supporting early voting and mail-in ballots to increase turnout, and maintaining transparent and fair election processes. I will support voting right ballot initiatives.
The government should be a catalyst for economic growth by investing in infrastructure, supporting small businesses, providing happy, healthy, safe, and educated Ohioans.
I will work to secure fair and sufficient funding for our public schools, ensuring that every child has access to quality education, and support educators with the resources they need. For higher education, I advocate for affordable tuition, reduced student loan burdens, and partnerships between colleges and local industries to prepare students for the job market.
The state should support local government initiatives that align with statewide goals for economic, educational, and social progress, providing resources and legislative backing. Conversely, it should provide checks when local actions may lead to discrimination, infringe on civil rights, or counteract public interest.
I am committed to ensuring that every Ohioan has access to affordable and quality healthcare. This means advocating for policies that expand Medicaid and support the healthcare infrastructure to provide comprehensive care to all citizens
Environmental stewardship is essential. I support policies that protect our natural resources, promote sustainable energy practices, and address climate change. It's crucial to balance economic growth with environmental protection to ensure a healthy Ohio for future generations.
Government has a fundamental role in ensuring no person is discriminated against. It should enforce and strengthen civil rights legislation, ensure equal access to services and opportunities, and promote diversity and inclusion in all sectors of society
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