RFS 2020 September Endorsements

We’re in the home stretch for the 2020 cycle and while the presidential race takes up the majority of airtime, Run for Something wants to introduce you to 109 new faces who will inspire and remind you of the big work being done in state and local positions.

The importance of down-ballot elections in 2020 is crucial. Our communities are under siege, and conservative legislators — at every level of government — continue to push regressive and dangerous policies. It is going to take strong, dedicated progressives in state capitols and city councils to make sure our rights and lives are protected. Lucky for us, the candidates we’ve endorsed today are ready and willing to do the hard work.

Our September Endorsement Class by the numbers:

• There are 110 first or second time candidates endorsed this month from 32 states, and 68% of our September endorsees are BIPOC.
• For the 2020 election cycle to date, RFS has endorsed 632 campaigns in 49 states and DC. 51% of our 2020 candidates are BIPOC, 23% are LGBTQIA+ and 53% are women.
• Since our start, RFS has endorsed 1,550 campaigns.
• A total of 314 RFS endorsed candidates have been elected to office to date (516 are still on the ballot in 2020).
• RFS has recruited more than 9000 volunteers, coaches, and creatives to serve the pipeline of more than 61,000 potential candidates.

Get to know 109 down-ballot hopefuls running this November and learn more about their plans to create progressive changes across the U.S.

CANDIDATES

ALASKA

Julia Hnilicka
Alaska State House, District 6

Julia is a responsible, successful, and educated businesswoman who cares deeply for the future of Alaska. She is running for Representative of Alaska House District 6 because she is invested in her community. She was born, raised, and still resides in Nenana, a rural highway community of about 400 people. She sees opportunity for positive change embedded in the current budget crisis that Alaska is facing, choosing abundant hope over fear of depletion. She will work to build a bridge beyond partisanship to find solutions. For over a decade, Julia ran her family’s tug and barge company on the Tanana and Yukon Rivers. That experience taught her the need for compassion and grit to thrive in rural Alaska. Julia decided to go back to school to become an advocate for rural/remote living. She completed her Master’s of Rural Development in Spring 2020. It was during her studies that she had the opportunity to travel to almost every village and community in her district, which is larger than the state of Arizona.

ARIZONA

Sophia Ramirez
Creighton Governing School Board, District 14

Sophia is a Precinct Committee Person for the Democratic Legislative District 24, a volunteer of Moms Demand Action, and on the Democratic Latino Outreach Committee. As a first generation American, Sophia took it upon herself to take decisive action in her community when she saw the injustices happening in her family and around her. She started with the Adios Arpaio campaign and blossomed from there. In 2019, Sophia, along with her aunt, launched a podcast which focuses on how Latina women have evolved into the women we want to be and become.

Regional “Reggie” Carrillo
Phoenix Elementary School Board, District 1

Regional (Reggie) has been an educator in South Phoenix for seven years and is currently serving as a middle school history teacher. The promising future of public educational access became ingrained in Reggie’s life by both his parents and he went on to become a first generation college student. He holds a Master’s in Education (M.Ed) and a Bachelor of Arts in Global Health (B.A). Reggie is a native to Arizona. He grew up attending public schools in the same type of community and demographic he teaches. As an educator, he understands what happens outside the classroom has impacts inside his classroom. He has spent over a decade advocating for Arizona’s vulnerable student population. This is because Reggie believes in stepping beyond the classroom to further impact the lives of all Arizona’s students. This is why Reggie is running for Phoenix Elementary Governing School Board District #1. Reggie’s experience also extends beyond the classroom. He is a board member serving the membership of the nonprofit Trans Queer Pueblo, is an alumni of both the Hispanic Leadership institute and Valley Leadership institute. Reggie is also a current organizer and a member of Safe Schools For All Students working to dismantle systemic racism in our education system.

Jessica Bueno
Phoenix Elementary School, District 1

Jessica was born and raised in El Paso, TX. Along with a younger brother, she was raised by a single mother who kept them involved in organized sports, volunteering and church. Jessica learned the value of hard work and service to others through her upbringing. Jessica is currently a Phoenix community leader working towards strengthening the assets that make a vibrant and healthy community livable. She is passionate about business, public education and community development.

Jessica is running for Phoenix Elementary School District Governing Board to ensure that children growing up in the Phoenix Elementary School District have access to high quality public education by retaining the best teachers, live in prosperous communities and for families to have access to necessary resources.

ARKANSAS

Haley Emerick
Benton County Justice of the Peace, District 13

Haley is an educator and community volunteer with experience connecting people with the resources they need. She is running for Justice of the Peace in Benton County, AR, District 13, an increasingly diverse community. She strives to increase financial accountability and transparency, highlight the needs of the community and the resources available, and engage community members in local politics and its importance for the future success of all stakeholders.

Antwan Phillips
Little Rock Board of Directors, At-Large

Antwan is a husband, attorney, and a Little Rock native. In 2009, Antwan graduated from UA-Little Rock’s Bowen School of Law. He has been a practicing attorney for over 10 years and is now a partner at Wright, Lindsey and Jennings. When he is not spending time with his wife or serving his clients, he has been an advocate for our City’s public schools.

Antwan is running to join the Little Rock City Board of Directors because he believes in a better Little Rock. For too long, our City has been content with “just okay.” Little Rock deserves more; it deserves better neighborhoods, better economic opportunities, and better recreational options for every resident.

As your City Director, Antwan will work everyday to ensure that our city focuses not on what has been, but we can be.

Gayatri Agnew
Bentonville City Council

Gayatri is a business leader and a proud mother of two. She and her husband Ryan are raising their family in Bentonville, AR where Agnew is running for City Council. She is a lifelong advocate for opportunity and seeks to build a strong community through all she does. She is an advocate for smart growth and building an inclusive and welcoming community. She was raised by a strong and resilient single mom and grew up in subsidized housing. She knows firsthand the ‘power of place’ the importance of family and its impact on opportunity. As Bentonville continues to grow, she wants to ensure all families feel included.

Gayatri serves on Bentonville’s Complete Count Committee which works to increase the area’s response to the 2020 Census and is a proud and active member of the Scott Family Amazeum and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and a frequent visitor to her community’s many parks and trails. She has also served on the Development Committee for Helen Walton Children’s Enrichment Center. Gayatri was among the wave of working moms who ran for public office in 2018 during which Agnew successfully petitioned the Arkansas State ethics commission to allow candidates to use campaign funds to cover campaign-related childcare. She understands how critical childcare is for working families and pledges to work with small businesses to expand access to high-quality early learning opportunities. She serves on the Advisory Board for Vote Mama Foundation and as an Advisory for the Skill-Up Coalition.

CALIFORNIA

Nicolo Orozco
Yuba City Unified School District Board of Trustees, Area 02

Nicolo lives in Yuba City, the community he was raised in, where he takes care of his amazing rescue named Squiggles. He has a remarkable passion for education which is complemented by his familiarity with Yuba City Unified School District. From Kindergarten to his high school graduation, Nicolo learned as a student in YCUSD’s classrooms. Surprisingly though, he has worked as a staff member in more YCUSD classrooms than he was a student in. Throughout his experience in Yuba City Unified, he has been grateful for those who advocated for students and cognizant of those processes where students were not advocated for or represented. These experiences, as an immediate family member and employee, inspired him to pursue service in a different manner — as the Trustee for Yuba City Unified School District’s Governing Board Area 2.

He saw a need to advance the inclusion of all students, particularly those students receiving special education services. Further, he heard a community that felt unheard and craved transparency and greater participation in school planning processes, if, for no other reason, to ensure this planning was actually taking place. Lastly, he worked alongside staff that were eager to collaborate but whose value and input was often dismissed or not even solicited.

With his strong education, diverse experiences, and familiarity with the community and its schools, Nicolo would be honored to have your vote so he may continue his service to YCUSD as your Area 2 Governing Board Trustee.

Jessica Hare
Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Board of Education, Area 2

Jessica is passionate about the health of students and families. She grew up on the Monterey Peninsula, earned a nursing degree at her local community college, and is now pursuing a master’s degree in nursing administration. As a healthcare professional and long-time area resident, she recognizes the entrenched disparities in her community and their long-term effects on learning, health, and quality of life.

In the midst of the pandemic, Jessica has been volunteering at local food bank events, and after caring for COVID-positive patients at the local hospital, she is uniquely aware of the vulnerabilities within her community. That is why she is running for the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. A mother of two school-age children in the district, Jessica has been committed to serving her community as a healthcare professional and as the chairperson for the City of Seaside’s Homeless Commission. The pandemic and recent wildfires in California have traumatized local students and families, and Jessica’s skills and experience will help the district adapt to better serve the community’s needs.

Raul Campillo
San Diego City Council, District 7

Raul is a San Diego Deputy City Attorney running for city council District 7. He grew up in San Diego and served as a public school teacher before going into law. His current role is to protect victims and families through his work on the Gun Violence Response Unit. Raul’s campaign is focusing on increasing affordable housing, combatting the causes of homelessness, and improving the neglected infrastructure of his district.

Alexis Villalobos
California State Assembly, District 20

Alexis was raised in the Bay Area by a family of working-class immigrants. He graduated from Hayward’s public schools and became the first in his family to earn a college degree when he graduated from Occidental College in Los Angeles.

His grandfather was a migrant farm worker who volunteered for the United Farm Workers, and his father was a union construction worker in San Francisco. Proud of this history, Alexis always had a special interest in the Labor Movement, and after college, Alexis moved back to the Bay Area to pursue a career in workers’ rights and advocacy.

As an organizer, Alexis led successful campaigns to reinstate wrongfully terminated janitors and to win union contracts. Alexis has also worked as a paralegal at various workers’ rights and civil rights law firms on cases involving the misclassification of gig workers and gender, race, and disability discrimination.

Just about everyone Alexis grew up with is struggling to afford living in the Bay Area. His childhood friends are becoming housing insecure, foregoing costly health insurance, and stressing out about student loans. He is deeply disappointed by his opponent’s lack of leadership on these issues, and he is surprised that no Democratic challenger had stepped up in the last 8 years. Alexis is running to fight for housing, healthcare, and education, and he is running to inspire his peers to join the fight along with him.

Chinua Rhodes
Sacramento Unified School District Board of Trustees, Area 5

Chinua is a Father of five, Community Organizer, and serves as Parks and Rec Commissioner in Sacramento CA. Chinua grew up in South Sacramento and is a product of Sac City Schools. Chinua knows collective effort for change is possible and that everyday working people are the key to the city’s success and well being. Chinua has coordinated programs and grants that supported thousands of Sacramento youth and families and organized around housing and youth justice initiatives.

While working directly with families and communities, Chinua saw how a lack of stability, living wage jobs, and housing directly impacted young people’s educational success. That is why Chinua believes that schools can not positively impact the whole child without impacting the entire community. As Parks and Rec Commissioner, Chinua has centered his work around community-centered change and accountability while pushing for efficacy and representation in city park projects and Park namings.

Chinua is running for Sacramento City Unified School District Board Trustee because he directly sees how Strong Schools Build Strong Neighborhoods.

Marcus Bush
National City Council

Born to a Mexican-American mother and African-American father, Marcus is a lifelong National City resident, proud father of 2, and community activist running for City Council. Marcus is running for Council to work with the Mayor and City Council on passing progressive policies to address National City’s biggest challenges, including the housing crisis, environmental health, and lack of access to high-quality jobs.

Marcus got his start in activism as a union member and union organizer for UNITE HERE Local 30. During this time, he began to get more involved in National City: in city government, the business community, and community nonprofit groups. In 2011, Marcus was appointed to the Civil Service Commission by City Council and in 2013 was appointed to the Planning Commission. He became the youngest Planning Commission Chair in the city’s history at age 26 in 2015. He also served on the Board of Directors for the National City Chamber of Commerce and President of the National City Rotary Club.

Marcus earned his Bachelor of Arts in city planning from San Diego State University and earned his Master’s in real estate development from the Portland State University School of Business in 2018. Marcus currently works as a Project Manager developing affordable housing for a non-profit and serves as a member of the Housing Advisory Committee in National City.

If elected, Marcus would be the first openly-LGBTQ councilmember (and one of the first openly-bi elected officials in San Diego County), first millennial, and first Afro-Latino.

Sameera Rajwade
San Ramon City Council, District 3

Sameera is non-binary, first-generation, 21 year old and running for San Ramon city council on a platform of community reinvestment, educational reform, and demilitarization. Sameera is a community organizer moved to take on her hometowns city government to implement the movement to defund police that she and fellow organizers have been calling for in the streets. They organized the first protest in the town’s history calling for the demands of the Black Lives Matter movement to be met by the city and have continued to fight for solidarity of Black lives around the Bay Area. Sameera’s campaign is revolutionizing the kind of person that can serve in local government and with your help in our fight this energy can be spread across the country. Sameera is currently building a coalition of other candidates around the Bay Area to call for a region wide movement around reinvesting in community by divesting from police.

Sameera was once on the City’s teen city council and has worked as a political journalist in D.C and organized with DSA and other activist groups before realizing they wanted to come back to their hometown and push for change locally. Sameera has been a community organizer in San Ramon and the Bay Area and has lived in the district they are now running to represent for their whole life. In their free time Sameera creates video art, paintings, and original music.

Sashary Zaroyan
Monrovia United School District Governing Board

Sashary is an Education and Mental Health Policy Advocate with experience building local and statewide coalitions for families and individuals affected by mental illness. He is running for the Monrovia School Board to close the academic achievement gap, prioritize academic engagement and the social and emotional health of all students. He was the co-founder of the Healing Connections Committee, which expanded mental health services for his peers in Monrovia schools. The Committee was awarded the California School Board Association’s Golden Bell Award for effective research-based strategies that improved students’ emotional and mental health. Sashary continued his advocacy at California’s state Capital to push for legislation impacting behavioral health, child welfare, student mental health services, criminal justice, homelessness, and housing. He received his Master of Public Administration from the McGeorge School of Law.

Néstor Castillo
Hayward City Council, At-Large

Néstor is running for Hayward City Council to represent and fight for working-class families and residents of Hayward. As the child of Salvadoran immigrants, Néstor believes that we can build a Hayward that works for all people, not just special interests. He will prioritize the needs of workers by passing a living wage. He will also fight for healthcare, paid sick leave, and safe and affordable housing for working families. Néstor will approach all policies through a public health lens to secure the well-being and future of our city.

As a member of the Hayward community, Néstor is deeply invested in our great city. He is an Ethnic Studies professor at Cal State East Bay and a proud union member of the California Faculty Association. He serves as vice-chair of the Alameda County Public Health Commission, guiding our county on health initiatives for safe and vibrant neighborhoods. Néstor is a life-long East Bay resident and proud Hayward resident. He will fight to bring bold, innovative, and proactive leadership to City Hall. Néstor is committed to working in partnership with the community and will serve Hayward with integrity and humility.

Christine Hernandez
Huntington Beach Union High School District Board of Trustees

Christine has spent over a decade as an educator focused on empowering communities through her work at colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations. With a commitment to community building in education, she has experience cultivating and strengthening relationships between local community organizations and colleges. Christine is a fierce advocate for students and will fight for equity, health, and safety within our schools. She believes in the power of collaboration and cooperation between stakeholders. She is committed to ensuring that not only does the community feel seen but that members of the community impacted by decisions of the board are consulted for input in the decision-making process.

As a champion for education, Christine knows that public schools are an essential part of our community. She is committed to being a catalyst for change within the district, ensuring that community voices are heard as difficult decisions are faced over the coming years. She has demonstrated collaborative leadership in her career, and has built partnerships in the higher education and nonprofit sectors. She is passionate about providing equitable opportunities for students enrolled in secondary education and preparing them for postsecondary education and the workforce.

Jennifer Hidalgo
Modesto City Council, District 1

Jennifer is a wife, mother, and longtime community advocate. She has dedicated her career to fighting for the most underserved. Everything from being a case manager for the Children’s Crisis Center- to helping our farmworkers through her position as Board Vice-Chair for the Central Valley Opportunity Center. Even now, as a representative for Senator Caballero, she continues to bring the needs of Stanislaus county to the forefront; elevating them to the state level. She is passionate about her community and is running to represent Modesto as the first Latina on the city council.

Throughout her career, Jennifer has found that by truly listening to the life experiences and input of others, that’s when we can make more equitable decisions. She believes that our community benefits when we work collaboratively, and that together, a shared and inclusive vision for Modesto can be created. In line with these core values, Jennifer also seeks to raise the voices of activists that are already doing the work of making Modesto a community that we can all be proud to call home.

Terry Taplin
Berkeley City Council, District 2

Terry is an author, spoken word artist, racial and climate justice activist, born and raised in Southwest Berkeley. He is running for Berkeley City to fight for affordable housing, green transportation, antiracist police reform, and a Berkeley Green Deal.

Terry is an alumnus of Saint Mary’s College of California where he obtained a BA in Classical Languages: Ancient Greek and Latin, an MFA in Creative Writing, and served as the LAMBDA Literary Fellow.

COLORADO

David Ortiz
Colorado State House, District 38

David is running to empower others the way others have empowered me. He is a wounded veteran and lifelong public servant. He is a third-generation US Service Member on his father’s side and first-generation American on his mother’s. David began serving others by resettling evacuees after Hurricane Katrina. He continued my service by flying helicopters for the US Army. While deployed to Afghanistan, He survived a catastrophic crash that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Because he had access to quality and affordable healthcare, David regained his independence and continued serving in the nonprofit space and as a lobbyist for veterans at the State Capitol in Denver. Colorado as a state and the US as a nation are going through difficult times and we need leaders that have lived through injustices and struggles. We need leaders like David that know how to tenaciously fight and empower a community so together we emerge stronger and more united.

CONNECTICUT

Carla Volpe
Connecticut State House, District 134

Carla is an art teacher currently living in Trumbull with her husband Mathias, an Army combat veteran, their two-year-old daughter, Hunter, and their rescue dog, Barry.

She grew up in Fairfield with her mother, sister, and Italian immigrant grandparents. They were an unconventional household, but the lessons she learned living with her family were invaluable — hard work and dedication, being supportive of each other, and being able to do more with less. After graduating from Fairfield Warde High School in 1999, she obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Western Connecticut, and a Master’s degree from the University of Bridgeport and began her teaching career. Once in the workforce, Carla taught both kindergarten and fifth grade before specializing in art at elementary and high schools in Bridgeport, New Canaan, Ridgefield, Trumbull, and currently in Derby.

Carla is equally proud of her history of community involvement throughout the years. She started early. In high school, she was Red Cross certified and taught about AIDS in her Teen AIDS Prevention program. Carla continued on in college contributing to her community by distributing books to the needy and raising money for a non-profit to create literacy programs for the underprivileged. More recently her volunteer work has been in support of Bridgeport and Trumbull schools’ autism support programs and as co-advisor to the STEAM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Art-Math) Club at Derby High School. Carla currently serves as a Commissioner on the Town of Trumbull’s Arts Commission and looks forward to continuing to serve her community by representing District 134.

Dave Yaccarino
Connecticut State House, District 99

Dave helps people. He went from earning his Eagle Scout to working on cancer treatment and now developing COVID-19 tests. He attended public schools, Boston College, and worked hard to earn a master’s degree at night. Dave and his fiancée bought a house in East Haven because of their strong values and sense of community. They worry about paying the mortgage, funding for our schools, the cost of health care, and being able to retire some day. Dave understands his community’s needs, and he’s running to be East Haven’s state representative to vote “YES” instead of “NO” on the issues that matter.

Genevieve Coursey
Connecticut State House, District 14

Genevieve is a community volunteer, girl scout leader, mom of 3, and the wife of a veteran. Growing up as the child of a single parent, she learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and the support that families need to succeed. After transitioning to civilian life after her husband’s military career, their family experienced the same struggles as so many veterans face, finding well-paying jobs, health insurance, and struggling to pay for childcare while using the GI Bill for higher education and better career opportunity.

Genevieve and her husband finally chose South Windsor as the place where they would put down roots because they know what a strong community can mean to a working family. She believes that families require a fierce advocate in the state legislature to ensure that the system is working for them. For Genevieve, fighting for families in her community is deeply personal. Genevieve will fight for access to education, childcare, and healthcare, and to protect workers in an uncertain economy.

FLORIDA

Pernell Bush
Seminole County Commission, District 5

Pernell is a native of Seminole County, raised in the heart of Sanford’s historic Goldsboro community. He attended Seminole County Public Schools (Goldsboro Elementary, Sanford Middle and Lake Mary High) throughout his formative years. His hands-on, result-oriented servant leadership is focused on empowering communities to get the results they deserve. Pernell is an accomplished community social worker and a grassroots servant leader with an excellent history as a community advocate.

With nearly a decade of experience working with nonprofit and government agencies in addressing community needs through civic involvement initiatives. Pernell has proven himself to be a relentless advocate for communities he has served. He has received numerous awards for his leadership, including being named “Veteran of Influence” and “40 under 40” by the Orlando Business Journal as well Health Equity Champion by Florida Department of Health-Seminole County. He has a vision towards the future that improves the quality of life for Seminole County residents.

Pernell graduated from University of Central Florida with his bachelors and masters in Social Work. He is the managing partner and practicing mental health therapist as a State of Florida Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern (RCSWI) at K.E.Y Counseling Solutions and instructor at Valencia College Peace and Justice Institute.

Pernell is not a career politician. Pernell places great emphasis on listening to the needs of community members and stakeholders that he serves. Pernell proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps as infantry rifleman, where the importance of teamwork, communication, and mission preparedness were reinforced.

Dan Helm
Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections

At a time in this country when democracy is under attack, Dan wants to keep voting in Florida S.A.F.E. (Secure, Accessible, Fair, Elections).

Dan sees the current crisis in this country. Not only a crisis of a pandemic that has taken so many lives, but also a crisis of leadership. Dan knows he must step up to protect the vote. This fragile thing called democracy demands we all participate.

Dan grew up in Pinellas County, the anchor of the I-4 corridor of Florida. Pinellas County is the biggest swing county in the biggest swing state. After attending local public schools, Dan went to the University of Florida and Emory Law School. After law school, Dan worked for Voter Protection in Central Florida. He oversaw 13 different counties and interacted with those Supervisors of Elections. One elected official decides on so many important issues that impact people’s ability to access the ballot. Dan has trained hundreds of lawyers and volunteers in Florida Election law and assigned them to protect the vote.

When Orange County was breaking election law, Dan, a member of the Florida Bar, sued the county and won. The entire state changed and started to follow the law because of Dan Helm. Dan Helm will protect the Vote.

Taruas Pugh
Fort Myers Mosquito Control District, Area 1

Taruas is no stranger to the community as he was born and raised in the City of Fort Myers. He attended Lee County Public Schools, and a proud Class of 2000 graduate of Riverdale High School. He continued his education at Southwest Florida College earning an Information Technology Management degree and currently pursuing a BA degree in Administration.

He has managed business progress, development, budgets, and established grounds for others to grow by communicating belief in them and focusing on setting high but achievable standards. It is his pleasure to utilize his experience and knowledge to improve and direct the Lee County Mosquito / Hyacinth District to become a model for other districts in the State of Florida.

Mosquito Control is critical for several reasons: Public health, quality of life, tourism, and our economy. 2020 Summer Rainy Season, for example, has created a challenge for the Lee County Mosquito Control District. With the large amounts of rainfall, the low-lying areas flood for a period of weeks. The ground becomes saturated and water would sit for days without draining off, creating breeding beds for mosquitos.

Taruas is a proud Floridian who is grateful to live in this community and will strive to continue to see it flourish.

Ashantae Green
Duval County Soil & Water Conservation District, Group 4

Green is her last name, and so is her life! Ashantae is a sustainability ambassador, educator, & advocate for environmental justice/ equity, food security & healthy resilient communities. As an architectural & digital designer specializing in Green building, Ashantae was appointed to the City of Jacksonville’s subcommittee for resiliency advising on environmental planning & community protection. She is a graduate of Florida State college at Jacksonville, and currently completing certificates in Sustainability Management from LSU & Sustainable Agricultural & Urban Land Management from UF. Ashantae is also a board member of multiple nonprofits organizations,

So much of her life has centered around Green living-whether actively engaging communities to be green or living in spaces that were not green at all. Ashantae grew up in Jacksonville on the East Side and witnessed the impacts of environmental inequities during her childhood. In 32206, there were higher rates of asthma and heat stroke among children because of the lack of trees, factories and the fact that highways cut through mere meters from playgrounds, spewing carbon emissions, making neighborhoods up to 10 degrees warmer. However this story is not unique to her alone. There are people across the First Coast-from Jacksonville working to keep the St. Johns and waterway clean: to the Beaches, dealing with erosion & plastic pollution; to Baldwin concerned with food insecurity & inequitable access; to north-side Jacksonville where flooding and contaminated soil goes unaddressed, these citizens deserve better. Each of these communities and so many others create the diverse biosphere that is Duval County, her home. It’s a biosphere that needs to be cared for and protected.

GEORGIA

Zachary Perry
Georgia State Senate, District 46

Zachary is running for Georgia State Senate district 46 to fight for the rights of workers, criminal justice reform, reproductive rights, affordable housing, and healthcare reform. A long time resident of Athens and service industry employee, he has seen the inequality that forces some Georgia families to struggle to survive while a select few benefit from a vibrant state economy. A third year law student at the University of Georgia, he has dedicated his life to a pursuit of helping those who have been ignored or oppressed by their government. Having watched for years as state legislators have ignored the needs of their constituents and fought local governments trying to fill the gap, Zachary is running to be a legislator that actually represents his constituency.

Jerica Richardson
Cobb County Board of Commissioners, District 2

Jerica is a friendly and charismatic engineer, author, entrepreneur and advocate. She has found success in recognizing that what connects us is far greater than what separates us. Solving problems through collaboration and empowering others is a way of life for Jerica and she wants to put that to work for the citizens of Cobb County by being the next Cobb County Commissioner for District 2.

Jerica’s platform is structured to address the most pressing issues in our county in a transparent and thorough way that engages with community partners, advocates on behalf of the marginalized, and develops solutions that consider the needs of the future. Our county should be an example of people who know their voices and concerns have been heard. Jerica will address the need for greater corporate and government transparency in Cobb County, and will ensure that everyone has a seat at the table. She also sees a need for improved innovation in Cobb County. She seeks to creatively and collaboratively look at our challenges to find real solutions for creating a safer and cleaner environment, improving our public spaces, and justly allocating public resources in a way that aligns with the vision of our future. Lastly, Jerica’s vision for addressing Cobb’s most crucial challenges includes creating more options for connectivity — to resources and safety, and from place to place. Expanding transportation options will be a top priority, as will increasing accessibility to government officials and ending closed networking.

ILLINOIS

Chemberly Cummings
Illinois State House, District 105

Chemberly attended Central State University, where she obtained a Bachelor’s in Political Science. In 2005, she testified before the Ohio General Assembly Higher Education committee on the importance of supporting and funding higher education.

Chemberly is a 2018 graduate of the Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership and 2019 Edgar Fellows class. She also engages in activities hosted by the Illinois Municipal League. Since living in Bloomington-Normal, Chemberly has served on the Board for the McLean County YWCA and the Children’s Discovery Museum. She has also volunteered for St. Jude, Home Sweet Home Ministries, and Junior Achievement.

Chemberly was elected to the Town of Normal City Council in 2017. She created the annual racial equity summit. The summit is about doing something and refusing to stand idly in the face of injustice and inequity. She also sponsored the Town of Normal’s Summer of Love in conjunction with the National League of Cities. Her latest program, REACH (Racial Equity and Community Healing), will also push for more conversations around equity

Chemberly received the McLean County 20 under 40, and 2019 State of Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ Outstanding Service in Leadership award. Chemberly is currently working on her Master’s in Political Management.

INDIANA

Daqavise Winston
Indianapolis Public Schools Board, District 2

Daqavise is a knowledgeable public servant with over six years of experience in education. Daqavise is running for Indianapolis Public School Board because he will be the strong partner we need to increase student achievement, retain quality educators, and support the mental health and safety needs of our students without bending to special interest groups. Daqavise will bring a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to the board while working to find common ground to make our schools work for everyone.

IOWA

Shawna Anderson
Iowa State House, District 22

Shawna is running for Iowa House District 22 because she cares for working people. Shawna’s top priorities are raising the minimum wage in Iowa for the first time in over 12 years and restoring the collective bargaining rights of Iowa’s public workers, including teachers. Shawna believes that children should have safe schools, free from the harm of guns, and where they can eat without having a lunch debt. Shawna believes in the unions that have made our workforce what it is, and wants to expand apprenticeship programs to help build stronger unions. Rural life is wonderful, but we rural Iowans often get left behind when it comes to technology and farmers get squeezed by big agriculture companies deciding what they can and can’t do. Shawna recognizes that we must enact policies that take care of our planet, the soil, air, and the water. Shawna knows that children deserve an exceptional education, and for that, we need to stop expecting our schools to do more with less.

Ivy Schuster
Iowa State Senate, District 38

Born and raised in Poweshiek County, Ivy graduated from Montezuma High School before attending Iowa State University. She and her husband, Andy, have two children. Ivy works in information technology at Grinnell College and volunteers her time with political and women’s organizations and as a firefighter. Even before she had political ambitions, Ivy knew that engagement in the political process was crucial, regardless of party affiliation. She joined the Grinnell League of Women Voters — a nonpartisan organization — to help people overcome the barriers to voter registration and voting itself that many rural residents face. Through League involvement, Ivy began regular communication with the state legislators, understanding the legislative process and regular visits to the state capitol which have all been an integral part in the decision to run to serve district 38 in Des Moines.

Ivy’s priorities focus on rural revitalization to enhance education, workers’ rights, our health care system, voting rights, and the environment. The crucial thing is to create opportunities: Give students options for job training and apprenticeships after they complete high school. Fully fund their public schools and take care of their needs so they can focus on learning and not where their next meal is coming from. Incentivize green practices in agriculture and industry. And develop infrastructure in our rural areas so everyone can access the Internet. There is no better way to ensure a competitive workforce and create jobs.

Christina Blackcloud
Iowa State House, District 72

Christina is a mother, grandmother, proud indigenous woman, community advocate and candidate for Iowa House District 72 from Tama, IA. As a member of the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa (The Meskwaki Nation), Christina’s upbringing raised her to be a community leader and advocate.

Her dad served in the same role she later held as the Executive Director for the Sac and Fox Tribe. Christina grew up in awe of his role, leadership and what he was able to accomplish by working together within the community.

After serving as an Intern to Iowa Senator Tom Harkin in Washington, DC and interning with the Office of Ethics for the USDA, Christina knew her calling was to be a life-long advocate for the under represented.

She went on to spend over fifteen years in tribal government, and served multiple times as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention; as well as serving on numerous community boards including the Tama County Economic Commission and IDP State Central Committee.

Christina has the experience, background, and empathy necessary to truly best serve the people of Iowa’s 72nd House District.

Kayla Koether
Iowa State House, District 55

Having grown up on a 5th generation family farm in Northeast Iowa, Kayla Koether’s commitment to revitalizing rural Iowa runs deep. She has worked to ensure that rural Iowa doesn’t get left behind, economically and at the ballot box. Kayla stood up for voters whose legally cast mail-in ballots weren’t counted, challenging an unfair law, and spurring a change in Iowa law to protect voting rights. She will be a tireless champion for rural communities and will bring the voices of rural working people to the Iowa legislature.

KANSAS

Edgar Pando
Kansas State Senate, District 38

Edgar is a Southwest Kansas Native and practicing attorney that has dedicated his career to public service. Edgar’s first job out of law school was to manage the local legal aid office which serves 26 counties in Southwest Kansas, including every county in District 38. His work focused on helping survivors of domestic violence and the elderly. After two years in that role, he joined a local law office where he now assists in advising local governmental entities and maintains a civil law practice. Edgar believes Southwest Kansas deserves better representation and running for office is the next step in his journey to help his community.

KENTUCKY

Christian Motley
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council, District 8

The future depends on our ability to build strong communities where every child succeeds, every family thrives, and everyone knows they belong. Christian has the right experience to bring community members together around solutions to meet Lexington’s most pressing challenges.

Christian has served in the administrations of both Governor Steve Beshear and President Barack Obama, fighting for quality early childhood education and expansion of cradle to career initiatives aimed at expanding opportunity for under-served students — driven by the idea that every child can succeed. He is proud to have been a part of the team that took a leadership role to advance My Brother’s Keeper, President Obama’s initiative to create pathways of success for young men and boys of color. In 2015, Christian worked with the Kentucky General Assembly to pass legislation to improve access to high quality early care and education. Today, he works nationally to support place-based efforts to wrap whole communities around the whole child with results-driven practices to achieve better, more equitable outcomes for kids.

Christian serves as board member for Lexington’s On the Move Art Studio and Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Bluegrass, Lextran, and is the former director for New Leaders Council — Kentucky.

Jessica Mohler
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council, District 3

Jessica is a longtime resident of Lexington’s 3rd District and a first-time candidate for political office. A mother of two young children, she is married to her college sweetheart, Daniel, an engineer by day and drummer by night. She has 20 years experience working in Lexington’s nonprofit, arts and media sectors, and for the past 11 years, has served as a director for the Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning, a community hub for creativity, early education and lifelong learning that empowers people to explore and express their voice.

Jessica was born and raised in Kentucky by a single mother who had a passion for serving the underserved, and who instilled in Jessica from an early age the importance of civic engagement and mission-driven work. Serving her community is a charge Jessica has always taken seriously, and one she is proud to pass on to her own two children. Having worked as a communications professional, social justice advocate, legislative aide for a Kentucky State Representative, and an assistant press attachè for the Embassy of Croatia, Jessica has seen our government and its many nuances through different lenses. Equipped with diverse and versatile experience, her informed and compassionate perspective will guide her decision making. She is motivated by everyday people, and the belief that we deserve civil servants who put their community first. She is ready to get to work on issues that include affordable housing and homelessness, smart and equitable growth, and greener neighborhoods.

Thomas Haggard
Covington Independent Public School Board

Tom spent his professional career advocating for the needs of kids in Covington and kids throughout Kentucky. From working on the front lines as a youth worker in summer programs to leading state policy and advocacy efforts to ensure every kid has access to high quality afterschool programs, Tom is committed to building a better future for kids. That is why he is running for a seat on the Covington Board of Education. He’s a third generation Covingtonian who grew up in Latonia, and now lives in the Peaselburg neighborhood. He received a world-class and diverse education in Covington’s public school system and then went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Administration.

The public-school system in Covington needs leaders with vision, compassion and common sense — qualities Tom will bring to the table if elected. His goals for the public-school system are simple — children deserve schools that are excellent, engaged and equitable. With high expectations and a culture of excellence, Tom wants to ensure that every graduating senior pursues their own path to success. With increased engagement in our neighborhoods, Tom wants to grow enrollment, parental engagement and community support for the schools. With an increased focus on equity, Tom believes we can ensure that every student, no matter their zip code or skin color, receives an excellent education.

LOUISIANA

Davante Lewis
East Baton Rouge Metro Council, District 10

Davante is a lifelong advocate for Louisiana with a record rooted in servant leadership, and candidate for the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council committed to fighting for the future Baton Rouge deserves. Currently, Davante serves as the Director of Public Affairs at the Louisiana Budget Project. He focuses on maintaining federal and state legislative relations with lawmakers and building out advocacy priorities on progressive policies in Louisiana.

Davante’s candidacy is rooted in his lifelong commitment to community-driven values, with a history of civic engagement dating back to his youth and experience as a public school teacher. Baton Rouge — like so many other cities throughout the South — has fallen behind in recent years as elected leaders continued to kick the can down the road rather than find bold solutions to the issues facing Baton Rouge.

Davante believes that in addition to a unique understanding of the obstacles facing our people, a progressive vision and bold leadership is needed to move Baton Rouge forward. As a change maker and consensus builder, Davante is ready to build a brighter future for Baton Rouge.

MICHIGAN

Amani Johnson
Southfield School Board, At Large

Amani is a life-long Southfield resident, a proud graduate of Southfield-Lathrup High School, and a member of the Southfield Parks and Recreation Board. When Amani was in high school, Southfield Schools faced many of the same challenges they do now: crumbling infrastructure that forces kids to sit in hot classrooms or miss school altogether, suspensions and missed days of school due to dress code or other minor infractions, and a tightening budget that limits academic and extracurricular options for our children.

Amani will work to create a city-wide internship and jobs program for our young residents, invest in green infrastructure to save taxpayer dollars, and diversify academic/extracurricular programs to keep our students on the same playing field as those in surrounding districts.

Amani is a former substitute teacher and has worked alongside leaders that helped to shape his community into the vibrant place it is today. He has worked in the offices of former Mayor Brenda Lawrence, former State Representative Jeremy Moss, and City Administrator Fred Zorn.

Amani’s youth, ideas, and experience make him the best candidate for Southfield Board of Education. We need to ensure that the right leaders are in place when our kids return to school.

MINNESOTA

Logan Kortgard
Minnesota State House, District 17B

Logan is a worker and student of health services management, with experience working in healthcare and advocating for LGBTQ+ equality and affordable healthcare for all Minnesotans.

As a student a type one diabetic, Logan knows what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck and struggle with the costs of our nation’s healthcare. He will fight to ensure that others no longer have to bear the same burden. He’s running to represent District 17B, an ethnically and politically diverse district in Greater Minnesota, and fighting for affordable healthcare, quality education, and climate change for all Minnesotans.

Doria Drost
Minnesota State House, District 16A

Doria is an advocate for clean energy and education investments. She’s worked in local schools and campuses around her district for years and understands the needs or rural public education. She is running to represent District 16A in the Minnesota House of Representatives. As a survivor of sexual assault, Doria has pushed for criminal justice reform and trauma-informed training at local, state, and national levels. Doria believes her experiences as a survivor, first-income college student from a low-income agricultural background will provide necessary guidance for progressive policies at the state level.

Esther Agbaje
Minnesota State House, District 59B

Esther is running to represent District 59B to build up our collective strength to tear down the barriers of race, class, and gender in order to give people a true opportunity to lead successful lives. Esther is an attorney who has experience fighting for people’s rights in medical malpractice and through class action lawsuits. She was recently recognized for a case to establish rights for state prisoners who qualify could receive Hepatitis C medication. She is an active volunteer within Hennepin County for the Housing Court Project and gives advice to people facing eviction or other housing cases. She also volunteers with various environmental justice groups in her neighborhood to help expand urban agriculture and rebuild the tree canopy.

Esther’s campaign is focused on inclusivity and wellness so that everyone has a place to live, fully funded public schools, and living wage jobs in a green economy. As a negotiator, as a lawyer, and as a former program manager, she will be a strong advocate for the district and find common ground with other legislators. As a millennial, a generation that has suffered numerous setbacks, Esther will bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to government.

Alfreda Daniels
Brooklyn Center City Council

Alfreda is a community organizer with the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation (MRLF) and a Teamsters Local 120 Member. She was born in Monrovia, Liberia but fled to Ghana at the age of 8 due to the civil war in Liberia, which forced her to leave behind her family. She lived in the Ghanaian Buduburam Refugee Camp for 6 years and later immigrated to the US as a refugee in 2006. She attended St. Cloud State University where she studied Political Science, International Relations and Human Relations.

Alfreda has been an organizer for 12 years, focusing on education, economic justice, immigration reform, racial and social justice, housing and transportation in the Northwest Suburbs of the Twin Cities. She is one of the co-founders of Black Immigrant Collective, an organization focused on elevating and amplifying the voices and stories of Black Immigrants in the struggle for immigrant justice. As an organizer, she has developed skills that bring people of all backgrounds together for change. Alfreda hopes to bring these skills onto Brooklyn Center City Council to make sure the decisions that are made at City Hall are people-centered.

Elise Diesslin
Minnesota State House, District 21B

Elise is running for Minnesota House of Representatives because she cares about Southeastern Minnesota. She grew up in Elgin and returned after graduating from college. Elise first ran for office in 2016 because she is passionate about my district, and the residents that live there. Elise currently serves as a City Council member in the city of Elgin since January 2017. She is excited to bring a fresh perspective to the Capitol.

Erin Preese
Minnesota State House, District 58A

Erin is running for the Minnesota House of Representatives from Lakeville, District 58A. As a mom, a teacher, and a gun violence prevention advocate, Erin has the passion, energy, and experience to work across the aisle for common sense solutions. We need leaders like Erin who will work to end partisan gridlock and to create solutions that address the real issues Minnesota’s working families face. Erin believes we all deserve access to affordable healthcare and prescription drugs, high quality public schools, and common sense gun safety laws to protect our children and communities.

Erik Goebel
Vadnais Heights City Council

Erik is a PhD scientist, entrepreneur, and 10-year resident of Vadnais Heights. Erik is running to bring fresh leadership as he seeks to be the voice for people who do not feel heard by the council. He is an active member of the community: He currently serves as Vice President of Carriage House Condominium Association, is a board member on the Vadnais Heights Area Community Foundation, and served on the Vadnais Heights Garceau Task Force.

Erik believes fairness should be at the center of everything we do. He will push for greater transparency so our leaders are accountable to the people of our community. He wants to bring policy initiatives to promote sustainability, improve quality of life, and build a stronger community.

Michele Anderson
Minnesota State Senate, District 8

Michele is a nonprofit leader, writer, and mom who lives in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Through her work as Rural Program Director at Springboard for the Arts, she travels across the state and country working with rural leaders on creative community development initiatives. Her writing on rural advocacy has been featured in multiple publications, including the New York Times, and she is internationally known for standing up for her community after co-writing a rebuttal to a German journalist’s fabricated portrayal of Fergus Falls in Der Spiegel Magazine.

Michele is running for State Senate to ensure that working families in her rural district have access to strong education and childcare, healthcare that works, and living wage jobs. She is also passionate about racial equity and environmental stewardship.

Christa Mims
Minneapolis School Board, District 4

Christa is a social worker and a fierce advocate for equity in her community. She’s running for Minneapolis School Board in District 4 so that all youth have access to an excellent education. She is running to provide responsible and proactive governance, ensure financial stability, demand racial equity, invest in teachers of color, and empower parents and families. She will be the only member on the school board who represents the LGBTQ+ community and believes they deserve an advocate on the board.

Christa has experience as a social worker, school director, regional faculty manager, store manager, women’s advocate at a domestic violence crisis shelter, and an advocate for educational equity. Christa is on the Board of Directors of the Domestic Abuse Project and a 2020 Fellow of New Leaders Council, Twin Cities. She represents progressive values and will work tirelessly to empower and amplify the voices of youth and families in the district. Christa and her wife are renters in downtown Minneapolis.

NEBRASKA

Keegan Korf
Omaha Public Schools Board of Education, Subdistrict 7

Keegan spent the beginning of her career as a public school educator — first, as a high school English teacher, and later as school district leader in Educational Technology for the Omaha Public Schools. In 2016, the long-term impacts of an ongoing financial crisis regarding her district’s pension began to surface, to the tune of an $800 million shortfall, and the school district’s budget began being slashed, $30 million at a time. Keegan’s technology department was hit hard and she decided to resign — a week later, many of her team’s positions were cut.

Fast forward to 2020, amid a pension crisis AND a global pandemic, Educational Technology is more important than ever, especially with the Omaha Public Schools’ recent purchase of 54,000 iPads for a new 1:1 initiative. Keegan is running because she believes it is imperative that someone on her local school board brings the context of all of classroom teaching, district-level administration leadership, and technology innovation to the table. She is the person for the job.

Eliot Bostar
Nebraska State Legislature, District 29

Eliot’s deep roots in Nebraska reach back five generations. Purchasing land under the Homestead Act, his family settled near McCool Junction in York County in 1873.

Conservation and stewardship of our natural resources are values that have held an especially important role through generations of Eliot’s family. For nearly 150 years, Eliot’s family has preserved 20 acres of native prairie and wooded wetlands, while farming soybeans and corn on the remaining acres. Today, Eliot continues that legacy.

In 2013, Eliot played a pivotal role in revitalizing Nebraska Conservation Voters (NCV) and Conservation Nebraska, non-profit organizations that work to protect our state’s natural legacy. At the time, the organizations had been dormant for several years. Under Eliot’s leadership, NCV and Conservation Nebraska now employ 25 people, working across the state to protect our environment. As an active member of our community, Eliot was appointed to the Lincoln Electric System Board by former Mayor Chris Beutler and to the Climate Resiliency Task Force by Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird.

Eliot is running for the Legislature because as a new father, he believes we need to have elected leaders who will work together for our kids, grandkids, and shared future. Eliot is running to move beyond the typical political rhetoric and partisan gridlock to solve the real problems that our families, communities, and state are facing.

NEVADA

Sena Loyd
Nevada State Assembly, District 40

Sena is running for Nevada State Assembly District 40 to help Nevadan’s. She is an experienced public servant as the former Director of the Carson City Library, which under her management, was named a top 14 library in the United States. She also lobbied on behalf of the Nevada Library Association and helped to secure $500,000 dollars for Nevada’s public libraries statewide. This funding empowered a vital emerging technology virtual learning workforce development program still going strong today. In 2018, she was responsible for a major building refresh project for the Library interior which was completed under budget and increased efficiency, capacity, and accessibility of the building for training, meeting and collaboration.

She is running because she has the energy and drive to serve in elected office on behalf of those of you who may not have the time or desire to do so, but deserve to have their voices heard and represented.

Sena has a Bachelors in Anthropology with a minor in Holocaust, Genocide and Peace studies from the University of Nevada, Reno and a Master’s in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University. She resides in Carson City with her husband Joseph Spencer, and their two rescue pups Tucker and Riley. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking on Carson and Washoe Valley trails. She serves on the Western Nevada College Foundation Board, Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada Advisory Committee and Emerge Nevada Board.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Steven Briden
Rockingham County Attorney

Steve is a prosecutor running to be the next County Attorney for Rockingham County. His family moved to Exeter when Steve was five years old, and he has never left. Steve is a graduate of the Exeter public school system and received his undergraduate degree and his law degree from the University of New Hampshire.

Steve is currently the Deputy County Attorney in Carroll County, and in that role, he has been responsible for supervising the other attorneys and office staff, as well as prosecuting some of the most serious cases, including cases of manslaughter, sexual assault, and child abuse. He was also a founding member of the Carroll County Drug Treatment Court, and has been the prosecution representative on the team since its inception.

Steve has a reputation as an effective and ethical prosecutor who has developed strong relationships in both the law enforcement community, as well as the treatment community. Steve also understands that the criminal justice system can be very difficult for victims to manage, and as County Attorney he would make sure that victims voices are heard, and that they are given real input on the resolution of the case. Our communities are the strongest when we focus on education, rehabilitation, and treatment, and as County Attorney, Steve will make sure that prosecutorial resources are focused on serious offenses such as crimes of violence and will work on finding creative and community-based solutions for dealing with substance misuse and people with mental health issues.

Mark Brave
Strafford County Sheriff

Mark, 35, a resident of Dover NH where he and his wife Jaime are raising their three children. He is currently a SCSO lieutenant who oversees the office’s professional standards and training unit to include the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). To resolve such issues we are facing in law enforcement today, He believes the office must involve the community as a whole and address shortcomings in training and the diversity of the office itself, among other things. He is prepared to think ‘outside the box’ of traditional law enforcement to resolve systematic issues in law enforcement.

Israel Piedra
New Hampshire State House, Hillsborough 9 District

Israel (Iz) is currently serving in his first term as State Representative for Manchester Ward 2 (Hillsborough District 9). He is running for re-election in 2020.

The son of an immigrant from Ecuador, Iz was born and raised in the Granite State and works as an attorney representing New Hampshire individuals and small businesses. His parents and brother are all New Hampshire public school teachers, which helps make support for public education a personal priority.

Dr. Jacqueline Chretien
New Hampshire State House, Hillsborough 42

Jackie is a PhD bioscientist and science communicator. She is running for a second term as a NH state representative to fight for high-quality public education; more affordable housing, healthcare, and childcare; and conservation and protection of our natural resources.

Daniel Dong
New Hampshire State House, Hillsborough 7

Daniel is a recent Bedford High School graduate and a current student at Dartmouth College. His interest in politics began with the legalization of gay marriage, when he realized the very real consequences politics can have on his own life. Since then, he has since been an active volunteer for Democratic campaigns, planned a number of demonstrations in his local community, and is now running for office himself.

He’s running to serve his hometown of Bedford as State Representative because he believes that everybody should have a voice in Concord. Being a student himself, he’s well aware of how inaccessible local politics can be for younger generations. Daniel wants to change that by expanding school civic curriculums and making sure there is student input on policies that affect us.

Daniel believes that we need to take dramatic steps in protecting our environment and combating climate change. This means aiming for 100% renewable electricity and economy wide carbon neutrality, but also ensuring a fair transition for the workers impacted. In addition, Daniel believes in investing in education, making colleges accessible for all and reforming the way our schools are funded to ensure educational equity across the state.

Christopher Roberge
New Hampshire State House, Coos District 2

Born in New Hampshire & raised in the town of Groveton, Christopher is a father, an educator & small business owner in NH. Growing up with his brother, He lived with his grandparents in the North Country; They were brought up through Groveton schools. Since then he has taught in schools in Washington DC & in Haiti.

As a person who knows and understands Coos county, Christopher aims to be an active force in fighting for more resources within Groveton, Milan, Stark & Dummer. He is running for State Representative in Coos District 02 because he believes that Groveton and the surrounding area has a strong future and the possibilities for better education, more effective rehabilitation & more jobs and businesses are achievable.

NEW JERSEY

Gabriel Franco
Little Egg Harbor Township Committee

Gabe Franco is an attorney and community servant committed to the pursuit of ensuring that the government fosters fairness, justice, and prosperity for our community. He has served as a community leader, humanitarian aid missionary, youth pastor, political activist and continues to support many worthy causes.

He’s running with fellow progressive Shaun Moran for Little Egg Harbor’s Township Committee on a platform of creating greater transparency, cutting government waste, creating more and improved green public spaces and preserving our NJ wetlands.

An attorney, finance professional and business leader by training, Gabe has more than a decade of experience in senior executive management within companies large and small and even more holding office in charitable organizations including the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the Atlantic City Multi-Cultural Committee. He presently sits on the Advisory Boards of Federal Chaplains Association Service & Unity International Inc. and Friends in Action Inc. where he helped develop a nationally recognized workforce development program.

Gabe holds a Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University School of Law where he attended as a jurist scholar under full scholarship and holds two undergraduate degrees in Criminal Justice from Seton Hall University and Ocean County College where he graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Rupande Mehta
New Jersey State Senate, District 25

Rupande has 15+ years of professional experience and currently works for a Fortune 500 company in New Jersey. She is a proud 2019 Emerge graduate, a founding board member of Inspiring South Asian American Women (ISAAW), and the former Morris County Director of the South Asian American Caucus (SAAC). Mehta also founded the SAR Foundation, which is dedicated to train local and state organizations on issues of domestic violence. Rupande is running for State Senate to stand up for New Jersey families from all walks of life.

NEW MEXICO

Linda Serrato
New Mexico State House, District 45

Linda is a first-generation college graduate from Stanford University. She believes every generation must do right by the next.

Linda began her career, organizing communities in eastern New Mexico for President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign. Soon she moved to Washington D.C. to work on Capitol Hill for New Mexicans on natural resources issues. Linda returned to the west to support low-wage parents and returned to organizing for President Obama’s second term. She soon was a founding member of an organization that organized ballot initiatives in multiple states to raise the minimum wage. This work resulted in raises for more than 8 million low-wage workers.

Since returning to New Mexico, Linda and her husband, Matt, decided to begin a family and welcomed Alma to their family. Today, she is focused on addressing climate change and economic inequality with solutions like a living wage, paid leave, paid family leave, and ending the Social Security double tax.

As a community member in Santa Fe, Linda organized the Santa Fe Families Belong Together vigil where hundreds attended to protest Trump’s actions at the border. She is an active member of Big Brothers Big Sisters, an alumnus and former board member for Emerge New Mexico, and a proud member of Raising Santa Fe. As the daughter of a lifelong union worker, she is ready to fight for New Mexicans in the Roundhouse. She proudly lives in House District 45 with her husband, Matt, daughter, Alma and pup, Hemingway.

NEW YORK

Khaleel Anderson
New York State Assembly, District 31

Khaleel is a community organizer and activist who has been on the frontlines standing in solidarity with working class families and individuals seeking a better quality of life. He was a part of efforts that led young people to convert a vacant lot into a full acre urban farm, the Rockaway Youth Task Force. He also worked with community leaders and groups on a successful effort to extend Q-52 bus service and continues to be an advocate for stronger and better resourced schools! As the next NY State Assembly member, Khaleel is committed to fighting against systems of oppression that have held his community back for decades.

Kenneth Burgos
New York State Assembly, District 85

Kenny is a lifelong Bronxite running for the NYS Assembly because he believes the borough is in need of a generational voice who will help transform it to a prosperous and equitable place for all who call it home. Kenny’s interest for public service began during his undergrad years at the University at Albany where he helped fight for state sponsored grants at risk of being cut, grants which offered low-income students the opportunity to study at the university. He then began his career at NYC Council working on policy reforms ranging from public transit, criminal justice reform, and environmental justice. Kenny also oversaw millions of dollars in capital projects. Projects such as school technology labs, playground renovations, and shoreline restorations which would shape the lives of students, parents, and individuals in the very community he lived in. Ultimately, Kenny felt his experience and passion would be best served as a voice for his neighbors in Albany, where he will fight for truly affordable housing, making New York the leader in the fight against Climate Change, police reform, and economic opportunity for marginalized communities.

NORTH CAROLINA

Dorian Palmer
Burke County Board of Commissioners

Dorian is a state employee, a foster parent, and an advocate for all. Growing up in Burke County, North Carolina inspired Dorian to dedicate his life to others, which is why he has decided to run for a seat on the Burke County Board of Commissioners. By earning a seat on the board, Dorian hopes to bring diversity and a new perspective to the table. As a young man of color, Dorian has seen the challenges Burke County faces through a different lens than any of the other members. Dorian is a strong believer that every single human matters. He is a fighter for those who cannot fight for themselves, a voice for those who feel as if they can’t speak up, and a helping hand for all in need.

During his time in office, Dorian hopes to use his vast experience working with youth to expand programs for the future of Burke County. He also is focusing on improving work conditions and pay for teachers, public safety employees, and EMS workers. He also hopes to work towards expanding access to reliable internet for all of Burke County. Dorian is fighting for a better Burke, and hopes that you will join him.

Greg Rouse
North Carolina District Court Judge, 8th Judicial District

Greg is an attorney from Kinston, NC running for District Court Judge in the 8th Judicial District, which encompasses Wayne, Lenoir, and Greene Counties. He is currently a prosecutor in the district. Greg is a 2008 graduate of Kinston High School in Kinston, North Carolina. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University.

Greg was born and raised in Lenoir County, and is proud to be running for office in his home community. He is running because he genuinely wants to see and bring change to the local courts. He cares about the well-being of the citizens of this district. If elected, he wants to bring new initiatives and programs to the district to make sure that the needs of the citizens are being met.

As judge, Greg will treat everyone with respect, compassion, and he will be fair. He understands that judges make decisions that affect people’s everyday lives, so he will take every case seriously and give everyone adequate consideration.

NORTH DAKOTA

Kyle Thorson
North Dakota State Senate, District 18

Kyle is dedicated to building community here in Grand Forks. From being a global manager at Amazon to owning a small business, Kyle has seen firsthand that a great team and a little elbow grease can get things done. He gets what it is like to work hard to create something from the ground up. It’s one of the many reasons he loves living in North Dakota.

For over 10 years, Kyle has invested his time to create opportunities for people to connect with one another. Through his coffee house, Archives Coffee, he has partnered with multiple local organizations to spotlight their missions and connect University of North Dakota students to the greater community. He has hosted Pride Grand Forks for 5 years, served on the board of CVIC to reduce community violence, and is also a board member at Christus Rex Lutheran Campus ministry.

Kyle is motivated by his belief that investing in people will make a stronger state and economy. He is progressing issues such as universal Pre-K, increasing access to mental healthcare, and small business programs like paid family/sick leave. Kyle believes that by working together, we can come up with solutions that work for everyone.

Hamida Dakane
North Dakota State House, District 16

Hamida is a community organizer inspired to embrace her dreams while supporting others. Appointed to the Fargo Human Relations Commission in 2018, she also chaired the Black Student Association while earning bachelor’s degrees in Emergency Management and International Studies from NDSU. She earned a Master of Public Administration from University of Mary.

Hamida is running for North Dakota House in District 16 to bring a spirit of collaboration to addressing educational equity, growing workforce needs, and ensuring fair housing access. Initially an outsider, Hamida is thrilled at the opportunity to give back to her welcoming community family by representing them at the state capitol.

OHIO

Daniel Winston
Ohio State House, District 5

Daniel is a lifelong resident of Wellsville, Ohio and a 2006 graduate of Wellsville High School. Daniel works for Cigna and is also a licensed minister and former youth pastor. In addition to his formal employment, Daniel has a history and current involvement in his community through service. Daniel is a Board President of the Southern Columbiana County United Way and an Executive Board Member of the East Liverpool/ Wellsville NAACP. He has also served abroad in medical clinics in Honduras and Haiti, while also being locally minded serving at food banks and community youth services.

Daniel is the current President of the Columbiana County Chapter of the Young Democrats of America. Daniel recently ran for Wellsville City Council and assisted the Heaven Guest for Judge campaign. His interests are numerous, but his greatest passion is being a father. Daniel has a 4-year-old son, David, who is the main reason why he is running. He desires to see a stronger community and state for our future generations. Daniel believes working with our youth can only strengthen our community and desires to see the State House work with all our children’s best interest in mind.

Kari Bloom
Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge

From the very first time she went into a juvenile detention facility, Kari knew that she found her place in the world, and that someday she would run for Juvenile Court Judge. When Kari was a law student, she worked at the Children’s Law Center taking cases on behalf of incarcerated kids for fair treatment in the Department of Youth Services, as well as with parents and educators in an effort to end the school to prison pipeline.

Kari has spent her career as a public servant, first working for the United States Air Force where she learned how to negotiate budgets and contracts, then for the Hamilton County Public Defender and Ohio Public Defender offices. She values hard work and the opportunity to encourage change and progress. She currently lives in the Mt. Adams neighborhood of Cincinnati with her fiance, Nick, and their dog, Winston.

Cate Berger
Ohio State House, District 41

Cate is a committed Daytonian working across the community to make an impact on the everyday life of all people who call here home. Cate has the unique ability to bring real change to the issues that affect individuals and families of the 41st District of Ohio, through her extensive work experience across broad sectors of our local economy including economic, workforce, and entrepreneurial development, healthcare, and education.

Cate is an active volunteer within our community and a vocal advocate for deserving causes and underserved populations. She was a member of Leadership Dayton’s Class of 2018 and Dayton Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2019. Cate holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in History from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She and her husband, Nick, were high school sweethearts and returned to Dayton after college to raise their 3 children.

Cate is running to be a representative for all of the constituents of Ohio’s 41st District. As a young, strong, community focused, progressive, and passionate community leader ready to step into this role to make the changes we want to see in our schools, our healthcare, gun safety, the value we place on all Ohioans, and to stop the extremism of the current Ohio legislature.

Laurel Johnson
Ohio State House, District 3

Laurel is a Wood County native that grew up in a working-class family. Today, she calls Perrysburg home. She worked hard after the loss of her mother to support her father, a disabled veteran, amid the Great Recession. She then earned her bachelor’s degree to find a better living in Wood County, the place she calls home.

She’s running because she believes Ohioans deserve better from their representatives. Ohio can do more to ensure residents have quality healthcare, economic opportunity, safe schools that offer excellent education, and a clean and beautiful Wood County.

OKLAHOMA

José Cruz
Oklahoma State House, District 89

José was born in Mexico City and raised in Chicago. José became a naturalized citizen in 2011 and is running to help others live out their American Dream.

José believes that the South OKC is home to hard-working Oklahomans who make up the district. José was raised in a working-class family with parents who spoke no English and with all of their family members far away. His father learned the construction trade, and José spent many summers and weekends working alongside him to help their family. His mother, a homemaker and educator at heart, raised four children. Together, his parents instilled in him the values of hard work, faith, and perseverance.

Working toward a better and brighter future, José went on to become the first college graduate in his family, earning a communications degree. José found a love for helping others through the legal process and spent a few years working at an immigration law firm. He then went on to graduate from the Oklahoma City University School of Law, where he volunteered in legal clinics and taught Street Law to high school students in South Oklahoma City.

After graduation, José served as a Community Outreach Specialist for Congresswoman Kendra Horn, working to assist constituents with federal agency needs.

His drive and passion have not been overlooked. José was chosen to be part of Leadership Oklahoma City’s LOYAL Class X and selected as a 30 Under 30 award recipient in 2016. José is also serving his fifth year as a board member for Variety Care, a federally qualified health center.

South OKC needs better education outcomes, increased access to quality health care, and better paying jobs that will help our families thrive. José wants to ensure that everyone has access to opportunities by rerouting resources to South Oklahoma City.

Alex Scott
Oklahoma State Senate, District 15

Alex made history in 2018 when she won her race against a monied incumbent for the Norman city council, and became the youngest councilor Norman has ever seen. Alex is a 7th generation Oklahoman, a proud graduate of the University of Oklahoma, a former public school teacher, and an active community organizer.

Over the years, she has dedicated herself to serving others, from advocating for public schools at the State Capitol to hosting bi-monthly meetings for her constituents. She will ensure the voices of SD15 are heard at the state level by hosting quarterly town halls. Alex knows that listening to all members of the community is critical to solving the issues in Oklahoma, of which there are numerous. From having some of the highest poverty rates and incarceration rates in the nation, to the crumbling infrastructure and polluted drinking water, the current Oklahoma Standard is not cutting it for the people. Oklahomans deserve better policies and better representation.

Alex is a proven change-maker who is tired of politics-as-usual and knows that the status quo is unacceptable. She is committed to serving the public, regardless of political affiliation, and is committed to restoring power back in the hands of the people.

OREGON

Carina Miller
Oregon State Senate, District 30

Carina grew up in Rural Central Oregon on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. She is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Today, she chooses to live in her hometown and works at the local non-profit — the Warm Springs Community Action Team.

Carina attended her local public school district, Jefferson County 509J, kindergarten through 12th grade. She graduated from Madras High School in 2005 and went on to get a B.S. in Ethnic Studies from the University of Oregon.

Having lived in Warm Springs, Eugene, Albany & Pendleton, Carina understands the importance of strong leadership for Rural Oregon Communities. Oregon State Government representation is dominated by more populated Urban areas. Carina is a strong voice for Rural Families and Individuals who choose to live in beautiful Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Oregon.

Ties to the land and the way of life in Senate District 30, is part of who Carina is. Her ancestors lived along the Columbia River and its Tributaries, practicing subsistence fishing and hunting. On the Warm Springs Reservation, her Grandparent’s families ranched. Stories of the old day’s stories relay the importance of neighbors supporting one another in trying times, for the benefit of all.

Miriam Cummins
Oregon State House, District 15

Miriam, a mother of two children who attend public school, is a proud advocate for HD15 parents and students, Latinx families and underrepresented communities. As an immigrant herself, Miriam was born in Zamora, Michoacán, Mexico, Miriam grew up believing and working towards the American Dream. Now as a mother and wife, she is imparting those values to her children. She also understands the value of hard work and starting from the bottom. After seeing a need for minority representation and the beginnings of her family growing (with the birth of her son), Miriam obtained her US Citizenship in 2016. That led her to run for School Board in 2019, where she won and serves as Linn Benton Lincoln ESD Board of Directors.

Miriam believes that House District 15 needs a strong leader that will advocate, represent, and do their due diligence. It is important that we hold accountability, and as a State Representative, the duty is to show up at legislation, whether you agree or disagree with the bill, to assure representation of District 15. As a neighbor, friend and community member of District 15, your voice needs to be heard.

Ramiro “RJ” Navarro
Oregon State House, District 25

Ramiro (RJ) is a Father, a Combat Veteran and a community servant. He never ran from conflict in the military and he will never run from conflict in the state legislature. RJ has been an advocate for immigrants rights, reproductive healthcare, criminal justice reform and renewable energy. He is running for Oregon State Representative of House District 25 to improve services for our Veterans returning home, increase the graduation rates of our struggling students and address the very real issue of climate change. Using his lived experience navigating the failed system for returning vets and being a working-class father of 5, RJ will work diligently in making the district he was born and raised in a community welcoming and supportive to all.

Nolan Bylenga
Oregon State House, District 58

Nolan is running for the Oregon House of Representatives in district 58. He is an alumni of Pendleton High School where he ran track & field as well as cross country and has most recently been at Portland State University as a political science major. He was a Senator as part of the Associated Students of Portland State University and has been an avid activist for BIPOC.

Nolan is running to build bridges between different types of people, help give our citizens access to healthcare and education, and create opportunity for those without so that everyone has a fair shot at life.

PENNSYLVANIA

Taylor Picone
Pennsylvania State House, District 124

Taylor grew up in southeastern Pennsylvania, the son of a veterinarian. He went on to attend Valley Forge Military Academy and College for five years, earning his commission into the United States Army. Taylor knows his generation is on the receiving end of new and unique challenges and he believes his generation needs to get off the bench and into the game! As a father Taylor knows that the decisions we make today will matter for our children tomorrow. Taylor understands that leadership matters and he believes the people of PA 124 deserve proactive leadership that will prioritize working for the people not for party or special interests.

With over thirteen years and counting spent leading America’s finest young men and women in the United States Army, a half dozen years of experience in federal and state level financial management programs, and years of management experience in the private sector, Taylor has the leadership ability, the knowledge, and most importantly, the ability to work with anyone from any background to accomplish the mission. Taylor is focused on addressing a number of key issues facing the people of PA 124 including: capping prescription co-pays, ending gerrymandering, and eliminating school property tax.

Nikil Saval
Pennsylvania State Senate, District 1

Nikil is a father, writer, and community organizer. He is the Democratic nominee for State Senate in Pennsylvania’s First Senate District. A co-founder of Reclaim Philadelphia, he also worked as a volunteer labor organizer with UNITE HERE, fighting alongside hospitality workers for healthcare, wages, and rights and job. He is running to ensure housing for all, clean air, water, and energy, universal child and long-term elder care, and workers’ rights.

RHODE ISLAND

Janie Seguí Rodríguez
Pawtucket City Council, Ward 5

Janie holds a master’s degree in community development from Roger Williams University. She manages the operations of a tri-state middle school career exploration program; co-founded Parents Leading for Educational Equity (PLEE), a parent-led, grassroots organization with a mission to fight for the voice of parents in education decision-making. She is an educator, community organizer, and political candidate. Her journey here was a long one.

Janie lived in Prospect Heights Housing with her daughters for almost 5 years while working exploitative jobs that didn’t pay a living wage. As an advocate and organizer, she began working with and on behalf of families like hers that wanted nothing more than an opportunity to succeed. Janie fell in love with the rich diversity, beautiful parks, historic mills, and strong people of Pawtucket.

In 2018 she purchased her first home in the city. Janie aims to model for her two daughters, Destiny (12) and Kailani (5), that anything is possible. The truth is that it does not have to be this difficult for hardworking families to make ends meet. It’s more important than ever to elect candidates who will fight for excellent schools, small businesses, and investments in affordable housing. Janie is running for City Council Ward 5 as a way to continue her advocacy for the people of Pawtucket. Vote for Janie Seguí Rodriguez! She will work to center the voices of underrepresented communities, and ensure that we are working towards a stronger and safer Pawtucket.

Alexis Schuette
Pawtucket City Council, Ward 4

Alexis is an artist, technologist, and social justice advocate living in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. She’s running to unseat a 30+ year incumbent to represent Ward 4 on the Pawtucket City Council. She has proven herself to be a team player, servant leader, and discerning problem-solver over many years in roles at some of the most recognizable technology companies in the country. As a leader in the product management department with Dun & Bradstreet, Vistaprint, and The Grommet, she built and nurtured cross-functional teams that consistently overachieved while also having a great time working together. She began her career managing many of Boston’s most beloved theatres and repairing technology at the Boylston Street Apple Store Genius Bar. She believes Pawtucket is both ready and eager for new, diverse leaders to usher the city into a future where access to technology is, not only important, but critical to the well-being of all citizens. She is also incredibly concerned about the negative impact of climate change that is already taking place on her community. She wants to prioritize municipal legislation to offer more environmentally-conscious waste management solutions and to preserve the incredible natural resources in Pawtucket. Finally, she has seen the devastating impact of the global pandemic and economic crisis on underserved neighborhoods and will fight for affordable housing measures to protect the most vulnerable while new city infrastructure continues to bring in new residents and business owners.

Agi Gai-Kah
Pawtucket City Council, At-Large

Agi and her family migrated from The Gambia when she was at the age of six, initially arriving in New York City. In 5th grade, they moved to Rhode Island and planted roots in Pawtucket. Through her work with Little Sisters of the Poor, volunteering became a part of my life. Her first job was at age 14 and she worked throughout high-school while being the class president. Her entire life has been marked by a hunger to succeed because she wanted to ensure that her mother got a good return on her investment. Her mother had worked overtime to ensure the family was cared for. While earning her degree at Temple University in Philadelphia, Agi’s eyes were opened and when she returned to Pawtucket, she was saddened to see the stagnation. First, she worked as a substitute in the school district and now as a college access counselor. She has spent the last five years of her life working intimately with Pawtucket’s youth and families, listening to the challenges they face everyday. Her students, and her own children, are the reason she is running for City Council! All Pawtucket families deserve affordable housing options, a school district they’re proud to send their kids to, and safe streets achieved through community policing. The time for change and innovation has been long overdue in our city. Agi Gai-Kah is running for Pawtucket City Council At-Large to champion investments in education, our youth, affordable housing policies, and a stronger Pawtucket that embraces small business and working families.

Leonela Felix
Rhode Island State House, District 61

Leonela’s (Leo) story is common in Pawtucket: she is the daughter of immigrants who worked tirelessly to give her a better life. Leo’s first job was at the McDonald’s on Lonsdale Avenue, and in 2018 her mother cried as she graduated law school. The journey from a low wage job to a stable future represents the American Dream. Today, realizing that Dream is nearly impossible. Leo is running for State Representative in Pawtucket’s District 61 because the State House isn’t working for our families, and now more than ever we need a new voice who will fight for us every day.

Leo has dedicated herself to causes that are personal to her, yet impact the lives of people across the state. She worked at Progreso Latino, pushing to change unjust systems. Leo organized her community to demand common sense gun control. She fought for a $15 minimum wage, helped lead the Immigration Coalition of Rhode Island, and served on the state legislative commission for Health Advocacy and Equity. Now, Leo works for the City of Providence, ensuring transparency in government. In these experiences, she has learned that to win change for the people, we need change at the State House. We need bold leaders fighting for working families. The goal of this campaign isn’t to win a single seat, but to open the doors of the State House and bring the people of Rhode Island in with Leo.

Evan Lemoine
Rhode Island State Senate, District 1

Evan is a certified public accountant and college educator running for the Rhode Island Senate to help bring a fresh perspective and innovative solutions to the table. Now, more than ever, we need new bold leaders on Smith Hill to confront the problems we face.

Evan was born and raised in Woonsocket and attended public schools before attending Johnson & Wales University in Providence where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration.

In the Senate, Evan will tackle the systemic problems that prevent our government from working for the people. This includes tackling special interests and their toxic influence on our elections, eliminating the pay-to-play crony capitalism, and ensuring we have fair electoral maps. With these fixes, our government can finally tackle the issues affecting our small businesses, working families, students, and seniors.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Je’Varus Howard
South Carolina State House, District 19

Je’Varus is a father, husband, Veteran and small business owner. His run is centered around showing how commitment and politics can work together and how far it goes beyond campaign promises. He has always approached things with a “handle it smart first” approach. He is one that finds commonality amongst groups, leaders and people to keep focus on a common goal. JeVarus believes helping improve economic success in all communities, improving education programs and highlighting veterans’ affairs.

Je’Varus has a high interest in community help and programs, and throughout his years in the Carolinas have stayed true to that commitment. He serves on a County board as well as a vice-chairs for the Greenville Black Caucus. He understands the need to focus on success within uplifting youth, helping need based or stricken communities, and assisting development programs for improvements.

SOUTH DAKOTA

Jessica Hegge
South Dakota State House, District 21

Jessica is an attorney, wife, and mother running for South Dakota State Representative in District 21. As a sixth generation South Dakotan who grew up on the family farm, Jessica now lives with her husband and their three small children in rural Charles Mix County, South Dakota. Jessica’s calling is practicing law in rural and underserved communities. She is passionate about supporting South Dakota’s rural communities and making a better South Dakota with these areas in mind. Jessica’s focus will be on increasing access to affordable health care, education, diversification of agriculture production, and small business development. Jessica believes that with hard work, empathy, and common sense we can move South Dakota forward together.

TEXAS

Te’iva Bell
Harris County Judge, 339th District Court

Te’iva is a Public Defender in Houston Texas who is running to bring true reform to the criminal justice system. Te’iva started out her career as a prosecutor in Harris County before joining the Harris County Public Defender’s Office where she is currently a Senior Litigator in the Felony Trial Section.

Te’iva is running for Judge of the 339th Criminal District Court in Houston Texas. For the last fifteen years she has litigated almost every type of criminal case, and has had a front row seat to the best and the worst of what our system has to offer. She believes it is time to get past just talking about criminal justice reform, and actually start implementing practices that help make it a reality. Te’iva would like to bring mentorship, and restorative justice techniques to Harris County.

Jared Breckenridge
Austin School Board of Trustees, At-Large Position 8

Jared is a fourth-generation native educator of Austin, Texas. He is currently running to become your next Austin ISD At-Large School Board Trustee.

Born and raised on the east side of Austin, Jared has both personal lived experience as a student of AISD and most recently as a substitute teacher of AISD. Serving in many capacities within his community such as the Chair of the College Student Commission and the District 1 Appointee for the Human Rights Commission, Jared has continuously shown an immense amount of undaunting leadership and commitment for his community. Most recently, serving as a substitute teacher, Jared has had the opportunity to teach, meet and learn from hundreds of students, parents, and staff members all across the district.

Jared truly believes in an equitable, collaborative, and transparent school district. One that will ensure that every single student in our school district will receive a high-quality educational learning experience. Jared remains committed to ensuring that this becomes a reality.

Eric J. Rodriguez
Mayor for Corpus Christi

Eric is an environmental specialist, public servant, and a single father. His daughter, Bailey, is the heart and driving force of everything he does. Creating a safe, sustainable, and prosperous future for his city is the main reason why Eric decided to run for mayor. Balancing Corpus Christi’s growing industry, while ensuring environmental protection; and diversifying the economy with new revenue streams, while repairing the current infrastructure, are all essential for the city’s future.

For over a decade, Eric has worked on environmental management at the Corpus Christi Army Depot and the Naval Facilities Engineering Command. As the union President for AFGE, he’s been a voice for the workers, periodically fighting unfair labor practices. In addition to this experience, he’s currently pursuing a degree in Environmental Management.

Bailey and Eric have been a part of many community service organizations together over the years. Eric has deep roots in public service, holding leadership roles in the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1005, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Coastal Bend Sierra Club, Texas Sierra Club, Texas Congressional District 27 liaison, and a Nueces County delegate.

As a leader, Eric wants to assure citizens that he will be a mayor who will work for everyone, no matter what side of the city they live on. Throughout his mayoral campaign, he’s strived to be an outlet that gives citizens their own platform to speak and be heard. He vows to continue being a voice of the people while in office.

Joe Carreon
Dallas Independent School District Board of Trustees, District 8

Joe is a proud product of northwest Dallas where he attended Dallas ISD schools. Through the hard work of his parents and community, he became the first in his family to graduate from high school and later college. After college, Joe earned a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard and a law degree from the SMU Dedman School of Law. Today, he is a practicing attorney and an active member of his community.

Experiencing first-hand how education can empower a family, Joe has spent the last decade working to ensure that the opportunities he was allotted are accessible to all children. As Trustee, he is committed to continuing this work. He understands that for most kids their best shot at opportunity rests in our very ability to prepare them for what is next. Joe wants to advance a school district that upholds this promise and is worthy of our children’s potential.

Daniella Lopez Valdez
Brownsville Independent School District School Board

As your elected board of trustees member, Daniella will dedicate her time to serving the educators and students of the Brownsville Independent School District. As an educated leader in my community, she knows that a quality education is the foundation for a better future. Now more than ever, innovation, fresh perspective and integrity are crucial for the benefit of the future generation. Daniella truly believes the students and educators come first.

Alicia McClung
Dallas ISD Board of Trustees, District 8

Alicia is a proud graduate of Dallas ISD schools and a career educator. She is running for Dallas ISD School Board Trustee in District 8 to make a bigger impact in the education of students outside of the classroom she serves every day.

Alicia believes to reach our full potential as a district, we must become more transparent and prioritize fixing our core issues, beginning with a persistent lack of racial equity in our schools. She also believes that in order to foster happy and healthy students, we need to make sure that those supporting them are taken care of. If elected, she will work to expand participatory budgeting, a grassroots and democratic process that allows for students, families, and community members to have a direct say in how our money is spent in their schools and neighborhoods.

UTAH

Olivia Jaramillo
Utah State House, District 14

Olivia is the Democratic candidate for the Utah House of Representatives, House District 14. Olivia was born and raised in Mexico, and immigrated to the United States when she was 14. She joined the United States Air Force in 1999. She has served tours to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 7 years in Europe, and humanitarian missions into Sub-Saharan Africa (Mozambique, Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa). She has written Military Legislation at local and regional Military levels. She retired from Active Duty Military Service after 20 years in March 2019. She currently Chairs the North Davis Communities that Care Coalition, has created a Veterans Benefits Fair in Davis County, in conjunction with Davis County Commissioners, founded and leads the Davis County Multicultural Committee; and is currently working with Davis County Sheriffs and all 15 City Mayors and City Councils on reforming their first responder training to include implicit bias/race relations sensitivity education. She was recently nominated to be the State’s PTA Diversity & Inclusion Board Specialist.

She is committed and advocates for the preservation of Constitutional American Rights, the middle class. a proper State tax reform, public education, the environment, and minority communities such as Veterans of war, and the correction of public perception towards legal immigrants. Olivia lives in Syracuse, Utah with her 9-year-old son Oliver.

VIRGINIA

Sabrina Gross
Richmond School Board, District 3

Sabrina is a single mom, the PTA President at Barack Obama Elementary School, and has over 10 years experience working in children’s services. She currently works at the Virginia Department of Education and is an expert in special education law.

Originally from Buffalo, New York, she is the daughter of a professor and the product of public schools. She graduated from the College of Holy Cross in Massachusetts with a degree in psychology and a teaching certificate. She spent a year teaching Special Education and then moved into Behavioral Health. The majority of her career has been in the public service sector, with much of that focused on education.

In 2018, her daughter started elementary school. Because of her sensory challenges, Sabrina was nervous about sending her to public school. Would it be too much for her? Would her teacher be able to meet her needs? Would the environment nurture her strengths and be understanding of her challenges?

So far her daughter’s experience has been amazing and nurturing. The goal is that every child in RPS is given the opportunity to learn and grow in an environment where they are loved, appreciated, and nurtured, no matter where that child is from or what unique challenges they face.

Sabrina has been a parent, a teacher, and an administrator and believes that when we work together, we can create a system where every child’s needs get met and every child gets an education that will set them up for success in life. We are Better Together.

Deanna Fierro
Richmond Public School Board, District 4

Deanna is a parent, educator and active community member of the city of Richmond, Virginia. As an experienced PreK-12 educator, she knows firsthand what is at stake in this election. During her undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at El Paso, she developed her skills as a mathematics teacher. Later, while earning her Masters of Education at Virginia Commonwealth University, she immersed herself in the educational needs of students throughout Richmond Public Schools and the policies that directly affect their educational experience. Her advocacy efforts for all public school students both in her city and throughout the state of Virginia include working with elected officials to develop policies and procedures that provide the most vulnerable students a voice and equitable learning experiences.

Deanna knows that only through collaboration with parents, educators and community members can Richmond begin to create plans for a future without the walls and obstacles of the past. She recognizes that every child should feel valued and that authentic opportunities for input should be available to all families, regardless of their circumstances and backgrounds. She’s running for school board because Richmond Public Schools needs new leadership that is willing to do what it takes to unite Richmond neighbors so that together they can create a school division that can retain educators, attract families, and build communities.

Jer’Mykeal McCoy
Richmond City Council, District 5

Jer’Mykeal dedicates his time to advocating for and empowering residents of the 5th District and the greater Richmond community. He is passionate about bringing more people into the political process and showing them the power of their vote. Currently, Jer’Mykeal is a Business Development Manager at a sports equipment manufacturer and a Capstone Adviser at Georgetown University. He wants to use his policy and business experience to enhance the lives of his fellow Richmonders. Jer’Mykeal is running for Richmond City Council because he believes in using the position to fight for everyday people. On Council, he will invest in the Richmond’s students, teachers, small businesses, and neighborhoods. He will champion police reform and more health resources during this COVID-19 pandemic

Additionally, Jer’Mykeal is the Immediate Past President for the Urban League Greater Richmond Young Professionals. Under his leadership the organization donated $10,000 in scholarships to Richmond Public School students. He also serves on the Advisory Council for Richmond 300, the Board for Venture Forum RVA, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Richmond City Democratic Committee, Richmond Crusade for Voters, and The Life Church RVA. He holds a B.A. with honors from Tennessee State University, an HBCU, and a Masters of Professional Studies from Georgetown University. He is a 2020 TSU Alumni 40U40 honoree and has been featured in various publications, including the Washington Post, Richmond Free Press, Roland Martin Unfiltered, NBC12, and ABC8.

Vernon Tillage
Portsmouth City School Board

Vernon is a life-long resident of Portsmouth, VA and was raised by a single mother. He graduated from Churchland High School, a Title I school. In 2016, he graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. He is now running for a seat on the Portsmouth City School Board. His platform includes promoting full accreditation, expanding career and technical education programs, providing safe schools and advocating for competitive wages for teachers and staff.

If elected, Vernon will fight to ensure that all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background, not only receive a good quality education but receive the proper tools and opportunities needed to excel in life. His experiences working in the Virginia General Assembly, the United States Congress and in the community have prepared him to serve. The children of Portsmouth need a champion and Vernon is ready to be that champion.

Tavarris Spinks
Richmond City Council, District 2

Tavarris is a proud fifth-generation Black Richmonder. Born and raised in the city’s impoverished East End, he became one of the first members of his family to graduate from college, and he’s been a resident of the Second District for over twelve years. He’s spent his entire adult life uplifting his community. Over the past seventeen years, he’s knocked on thousands of doors for over two dozen Democratic candidates, led voter registration drives, and in 2019 he was a plaintiff in a Supreme Court decision to overturn racial gerrymandering in his district.

Tavarris worked for twelve years as a bankruptcy and consumer protection advocate regularly taking calls late at night and on the weekends from folks who needed financial advice from someone who understands how it feels not knowing how the rent will get paid. Tavarris is running to build a better Richmond that works for everyone. He looks forward to working with all members of the City Council to ensure equity, justice, and opportunity for all Richmonders.

Amy Wentz
Richmond City Council, District 8

Amy is a Richmond native, devoted mother, veteran, entrepreneur, innovator, and public advocate. As a lifelong resident of Richmond’s Southside and a proud graduate of Richmond Public Schools, Amy has firm ideas on how to improve communication throughout the 8th district in order to keep residents informed of important issues. As an advocate of active citizenship, Amy truly believes that engaged and informed residents lead to better communities. Understanding that a district is as strong as its constituents, she has diligently worked with the past two administrations to improve the public education system, promote safe and healthy neighborhoods, and to begin to create more equitable outcomes for residents through Southside Richmond and beyond.

Amy sees investment in Richmond as deeply personal and knows that the residents of the 8th district require a dependable and well-rounded public servant on the City Council. A U.S. Army Veteran, who presently works for the Department of Defense, Amy understands that the 8th district needs someone who is willing to listen and is dedicated to fighting for their needs. She has served her country in the military, her community through advocacy, and now she is ready to continue making change by serving the residents of the 8th district as their representative on the Richmond City Council. The time is now for a new vision #inthe8th and a fresh perspective that will create a positive way forward.

Allan-Charles Chipman
Richmond City Council, District 6

Allan-Charles is a lifelong faith-rooted community activist who was baptized into the work of fighting with communities for justice at the age of 6. Allan-Charles is running to bring Everyday Solidarity to the 6th District of Richmond to turn the priorities of the people into policy. When the incumbent sought to increase gentrification and threaten funding for public schools, Allan-Charles fought with the community to expose and defeat irresponsible development projects. When the Housing Authority sought to illegally displace and prevent public housing residents from having access to housing, Allan-Charles fought alongside the people and helped pass Senate Bill 708 with Senator Jennifer McClellan to expand tenant’s rights.

The people of the 6th district are tired of having their priorities and their vision of their community being overshadowed by the profit motives of inequitable developers. Seniors are fighting to stay in their homes. Protestors are calling for long needed substantive systemic change to police and racial inequity. With a wide range of skills as an advocate, trust builder, organizer, underwriter, and auditor, Allan has experience collaborating with faith communities, academic institutions, Fortune 500 companies, banks, museums, cultural institutions, City Councils, Mayors, and Governors to advise, strategize, and implement “a reality of equity.”

WASHINGTON

Kirsten Harris-Talley
Washington State House, District 37, Position 2

Kirsten is an activist, community educator and queer, black mom. Kirsten has been building movements for change and healing for 20 years. She is active in the #BlocktheBunker and #NoNewYouthJail movements for police accountability and ending incarceration. She was also a founding board member of Surge Reproductive Justice & a founding circle member of Black & Tan Hall. Kirsten is running for State Representative in the Seattle #southend 37th District to bring her advocacy and her neighbor’s solutions to the halls of Olympia.

Carolina Mejia
Thurston County Board of Commissioners, District 1

Carolina is a mom, longtime community volunteer, and Judicial Assistant with the Thurston County Superior Court. Born in Honduras, Carolina came to the United States at the age of 11 with her parents. She quickly integrated into her new community and found herself eagerly interpreting for her family and other immigrants. Her first foray into community service began in high school after volunteering with Bedford Bridges, an organization that focuses on creating connections between local government and the community.

After graduating from Christian Brothers University with a B.A in Business Administration and minor in Pre-Law, Carolina settled in Olympia, WA to reunite with her parents and start a family. Her experience led her to work at a local law firm that specialized in immigration and personal injury, where she is credited with steering the firm’s budget from a deficit to a revenue surplus. Currently, Carolina works closely with Judges and Thurston County workers as an employee with the Thurston County Superior Court. Not content with just these efforts, Carolina is an active volunteer with OneAmerica, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, and serves as a proud member of the Thurston County Democrats.

Carolina’s education, personal experiences, and professional background have taught her valuable lessons that are instrumental in guiding her work. She has a strong desire to serve our community and enhance its richness and diversity. Carolina will encourage the responsible use of land and resources while simultaneously stimulating economic and structural growth. She also promotes fiscal responsibility, accountability, and transparency concerning the budget, and plans on finding more innovative ways to produce revenue in our county.

WEST VIRGINIA

Storme Frame
West Virginia State House, District 66

Storme is an educator who deeply cares about the people of Jefferson County and is running in the 66th District to ensure their voices are heard in the House. Storme will not be bought. Storme’s family has been in Jefferson County for generations and they’ve inspired her to speak up for others.

Educators, Realtors, Farmers, Horseman, Small Business owners, 4-H leaders, parents, and children all need to know that they can rely on their representatives to listen to them and help to create laws that make it easier to sleep at night. Storme will focus on fixing roads and access to broadband, supporting education, helping sustainable agriculture, and addressing the opioid problem through various economic development implementations.

Kayla Young
West Virginia State House, District 35

Kayla is a progressive advocate turned candidate who has been fighting for her community for years. Working as an environmental lobbyist in West Virginia, she saw the influence of special interests in the State House first hand. West Virginia’s economy is devastated by a century of focusing on coal alone, with those voices still running the show. We need leaders unafraid to move our state forward, putting her people first for the first time. Kayla fights for a clean environment and just transitions for workers, diversifying our economy, and building a strong community based on equality, justice, and a quality education. Kayla founded Boss Babes WV in 2017 as a way for folks across our state to network and amplify their voices. Kayla started her pop-up food truck, Eggs Will Roll in 2018, when unable to find a job in West Virginia. Kayla believes we need leaders that fight for empathy, that have the courage to say “we must do better.” Kayla lives in South Charleston WV with her children, Milo and Zella.

WISCONSIN

Ed Vocke
Wisconsin State Senate, District 12

Ed is a social and environmental justice advocate with experience on the front lines of issues addressing clean water, non-partisan redistricting, and the critical need for infrastructural improvements across rural Wisconsin. He’s running in Wisconsin’s 12th State Senate District, one of the largest and most important areas in the state for resource conservation efforts, and a critical watershed that contributes 1/4 of the freshwater into Lake Michigan annually. He’s put forward legislation as a citizen to address Wisconsin’s farmer crises, and is an advocate for direct to consumer sales for small farmers in order to alleviate the crushing burden of the recent tariffs on their goods. Ed will continue to be an advocate for his district and the environment in the Wisconsin Senate.

Emily Voight
Wisconsin State Assembly, District 3

Emily is a lifelong resident of Appleton, an educator, Calumet County board supervisor, mother of three, community organizer, and autism advocate. Emily is running for many reasons, specifically access to affordable healthcare, fully funded public education including special education, ensuring fair maps by ending partisan gerrymandering, a green new deal for Wisconsin, and prioritizing the needs of our aging and disabled residents. Emily is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin — Oshkosh with bachelors’ degrees in Business Administration, and Secondary Education. When Emily was having issues with the state based medicaid, denying her son much needed autism therapy she went to the incumbent looking for help, he provided none and said there was nothing he could do. Emily did not feel that was a satisfactory answer for anyone to give, and that is why she is running for State Assembly. Emily is a fierce advocate for families in her district and all of Wisconsin.

Emily Siegrist
Wisconsin State Assembly, District 24

Emily is running for Wisconsin State Assembly in the 24th District. She is a nurse, veteran, teacher, and mother to two young kids — and they are the reason she’s running for office. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, Emily served five years in the Army National Guard. Her devotion to country and community is unquestionable, and as a mother of two, she is laser focused on moving Wisconsin forward. Emily believes kids deserve a world-class education, quality affordable health care, and a robust economy so they can secure a job with a living wage when they are done with school. She also believes they deserve a clean environment, pollution-free air, and safe drinking water.

Amanda White Eagle
Wisconsin State Assembly, District 92

Amanda is a near-lifelong resident of Wisconsin. Her dad, Denis Rockman, was in the Air Force, and she was born on an Air Force base in Grand Forks, North Dakota. After he was discharged, their family returned to Wisconsin, as both he and his wife, Joyce (Amanda’s mother) grew up on family farms. They knew this was where they wanted to raise a family. They instilled a strong work ethic and showed me how to be a public servant. And following, Wisconsin is where Amanda chooses to live and work, and raise her family.

Amanda graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with liberal arts degrees in 2001. She attended the University of Wisconsin Law School, and obtained her juris doctor degree in 2005. She is an enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Nation; she has worked for the Ho-Chunk Nation tribal government for the past fifteen years, as the tribe’s Associate Judge, Interim Chief Judge, Attorney General, and Senior Tribal Counsel.

She’s running because of the hardships that her family and people around here will undoubtedly face. She listens to people and their struggles ranging from social security, health care, road conditions, and taxes. She listens to young people and their concerns with active shooter drills, climate change concerns, and public university affordability. She’s running to bring people together so it is possible that all of our families get the medical treatment that we need. Together, we can enjoy our 92nd District and accomplish our collective goals for our district.”