Your Tuesday Pick-Me-Up: Meet our July 2020 Endorsement Class

In the wake of the on-going crises around COVID19, policing reforms and racial injustice, we need a little hope. Today, we are proud to announce our newest (and most diverse) endorsement class, featuring 107 candidates who will remind you of our country’s potential under the right progressive leadership. These candidates are local leaders who’ve earned their stripes working as small business owners, public educators, and civil rights organizers.

By the numbers:

• There are 107 first or second time candidates endorsed this month from 32 states.
• In this round 62% of our candidates are BIPOC, 24% are LGBTQIA+ and 62% are women — marking our most diverse and inclusive endorsement class ever (!!).
• For the 2020 election cycle to date, RFS has endorsed 521 campaigns in 47 states and DC.
• Since our start, RFS has endorsed 1,439 campaigns and 1,321 candidates.
• A total of 310 RFS endorsed candidates have been elected to office to date (359 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.

CANDIDATES

ARIZONA

Juan Padrés
Pima County Board of Commissioners, District 3

Juan is a native of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. He came to Tucson in 1999 to attend the University of Arizona where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and later his Masters of Business of Administration at the UAE’s Eller College of Management. Juan has experience working in the private sector in two Fortune 100 companies, as a Business Owner and Entrepreneur, and in city government as an Economic Development and International Trade Specialist. Currently, Juan is back at work as an entrepreneur and small business owner. He runs a trucking company, primarily for the maquiladora industry as well as local courier services.

Juan is a very active member of the community: He currently serves as President of the non-profit Tucson-Mexico Sister Cities Association and serves as a Commissioner in the Pima County Small Business Commission. Juan is a Flinn-Brown Fellow and was a 40 under 40 honoree in 2016. Juan is married to his wife Maria Paloma and has two daughters: Paloma and Rebeca, as well as a beagle named Bruno.

Suzanne Hug
Arizona State House, District 25

Suzanne is a small business owner, parent of kids currently attending public schools, and a respected community leader. She earned a degree in Economics from Arizona State University and is skilled in risk analysis, budgeting, marketing, and project management. She brings a fresh vision for a progressive and prosperous Arizona. Her dedication to data driven solutions and pushing forward humanity centered ideas, such as fully funding public education and expanding healthcare solutions, will help develop Arizona into a national model. She is practical and thoughtful, a person who will carefully guard our taxpayer dollars, while protecting important social safety nets and working for equality in laws. Suzanne is fierce, determined, and diligent in her defense of civil liberties and human rights. She is the leader Arizona needs now.

Consuelo Hernandez
Pima County Supervisor, District 5

Over the last two years, Consuela has served as a Board Member for the Sunnyside School District in Pima County overseeing over 15,000 students and staff. Throughout that time, she has been a vocal advocate for our educators, students and working families. She has pushed for fair contracting language to promote union work in our district. She has also fought to improve conditions for employees.

Consuela believes that our democracy is better the more people participate. That’s why she fought to create participatory budgeting that allowed students for the first time ever to have an impact and voice on the district’s budget. She is excited to bring that fight to her county as the District 5 Supervisor.

ARKANSAS

Alice Kunce
Mayor City of North Little Rock

Alice is an educator, a mother of two North Little Rock High School students, and an active neighborhood volunteer. As a classroom teacher, Alice sees the challenges many families face when it comes to providing for the needs of growing children. She knows that as a city, we have the ability to remove systemic barriers that stand in the way of safe housing, food security, and financial stability for all. Everyone deserves access to quality medical care, individualized mental health services, and grocery stores.

Alice is committed not just to studying neglected areas of our city, but also to taking action to make these areas safe for all residents. All neighborhoods should have beautiful public spaces where neighbors of all ages can gather and join in fellowship. Residents must have access to jobs with companies that pay a living wage and reinvest in our city. An updated public transit service that fulfills residents’ needs and connects our neighborhoods is a priority. Focusing on ways to protect our environment while building the economy during a pandemic is a challenge Alice is eager to take on. It will require a fresh approach and new perspective on what North Little Rock has to offer.

Christopher Ogburn
Arkansas State House, District 8

Christopher is running for State Representative of District 8 to revitalize the voices of southeast Arkansas. Born in Warren, AR, Christopher has served 3 years in the Arkansas National Guard starting at age 17. Ogburn graduated from University of Ark. at Pine Bluff with a B.A in Political Science; and since then, has become a growing community leader throughout the district. Christopher’s campaign platform consists of home ownership, education, and rural healthcare. He advocates for economic growth that will stimulate and prosper rural Arkansas. His commitment to bettering those around him has been genuinely recognized among community leaders.

Rodney Govens
Arkansas State House, District 44

Rodney Govens is an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and served in the United States Army from 2001 to 2005. Rodney is running for office because he cares about teachers, law enforcement, and social workers.

Barrett Petty
Faulkner County Justice of the Peace, District 6

Barrett is a data driven educator and advocate. He is running to be the voice of his constituents on the Faulkner County Quorum Court. Barrett worked in the public-school system for 12 years being a math teacher, school counselor, and an administrator. All of his educational attainment is within Arkansas: University of Arkansas (Magna Cum Laude), John Brown University, Harding University, and University of Central Arkansas. Barrett is the 2017 recipient of the Association of Teacher Educators Distinguished Dissertation Award in Teacher Education.

He grew up in the Mississippi River Delta and has experiences that relate to his constituents, especially those living in the rural parts of his district. He graduated from Barton High School as Co-Valedictorian in a class of only 40 students. He is a 14-year member of both the National and Arkansas Education Associations. He serves on the Arkansas Community Foundation Board — Faulkner County Affiliate where he is the Chairman of the Grants Committee. Barrett is a huge tennis fanatic. He lives in Conway, Arkansas.

CALIFORNIA

Alexis Garcia-Arrazola
Seaside City Council

Alexis is a native of Seaside, with years of journalistic experience. Alexis attended California State University Monterey Bay, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in legal studies. As the first college graduate in his family, Alexis supports education and resources for all youth in Seaside. Alexis currently works for Monterey Bay Community Power, a government agency where he oversees the Agricultural Field Promotion Program aimed at educating agricultural workers about the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the community. Alexis also oversees Spanish engagement for underserved communities in Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara counties.

Andrew Rodriguez
California State Assembly, District 55

Andrew is a lifelong resident of California’s 55th State Assembly District. He is currently on the Walnut City Council, where he most recently served as Mayor. Andrew believes in effective public service. During his term on the Walnut City Council, the city completed a general plan land use update for the first time in forty years, passed a balanced budget every year, and earned the distinction of being one of the financially healthiest cities in California by the State Controller’s Office. In the State Assembly, Andrew will seek to expand economic opportunity in California. He will prioritize legislation that assists small business owners with economic relief through the course of the pandemic, incentivize the production of new housing statewide, and prioritize college affordability, ensuring higher education is accessible to any Californian who seeks it.

Christy Gilbert Holstege
Palm Springs City Council, District 4

Christy Gilbert Holstege was elected at large to the Palm Springs City Council in November 2017, the first time she ran for elected office, and she is currently running for re-election to Palm Springs City Council in District 4. Christy was the first millennial and the first openly bisexual person to run for and be elected to the Palm Springs City Council. She proudly joined the very first all-LGBTQ city council in the country. She serves on regional and statewide boards and subcommittees focusing on reproductive and gender justice, economic development, homelessness and affordable housing.

Jon Wizard
Mayor City of Seaside

Jon is a lifelong public servant, having worked as a youth basketball referee and coach, 9–1–1 dispatcher, firefighter, and police officer. Following a career-ending injury while working as a deputy sheriff, Jon transitioned into public policy and was appointed to several local boards and commissions before being elected to the Seaside City Council. While campaigning in 2018, Jon finished a master’s degree in the humanities, for which he completed a thesis exploring the militarization of police in the United States. Now, after the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, Jon has been recognized as one of Monterey Bay’s Black Lives Matter leaders and champions for social justice. With the City of Seaside being hit particularly hard by the coronavirus, Jon was approached by community members who saw the striking lack of leadership at city hall and was asked to run for mayor.

Jessie Lopez
Santa Ana Council, Ward 3

Jessie Lopez was born and raised in Santa Ana, CA, to two working-class parents from El Salvador. As a lifelong resident and active member of her community, Jessie has advocated around Santa Ana issues including the retention of green spaces, access to affordable housing, increased community engagement, and holding local government accountable. Through her lived experiences, Jessie will fight to ensure Santa Ana becomes a city where the gap between the haves and the have nots does not continue to grow.Jessie attended the California State University of Long Beach becoming the first in her family to graduate from college.

Ariel Kelley
Healdsburg City Council

Ariel Kelley is a passionate non-profit executive, community leader, attorney, Sonoma County Planning Commissioner, wife, and mom to two young kids. She is the Chief Executive Officer of local non-profit Corazón Healdsburg. Ariel is running for Healdsburg City Council because she knows the way to address the challenges facing her community today that will determine the future of Healdsburg for generations to come. As a council member, Ariel will lead with creativity and compassion, to create a thriving and sustainable Healdsburg for all.

Elizabeth “Liz” Lavertu
California State Assembly, District 71

Liz is a mother, small business owner, and a volunteer in the community for 20 years. Liz’s first son was born blind and she learned quickly the difference between healthcare and health insurance. She had to fight the insurance company to approve the surgery to give her baby vision; for the next decade she continued to fight for additional needs. Even though she won, she was still stuck with tens of thousands of dollars in medical debt. Liz has been advocating for Medicare for All and will champion the bill in Sacramento. She volunteered for 11 years at her children’s school. As PTA President at her children’s school, Liz worked with the faculty and parents to fund an outdoor fitness circuit and enrichment opportunities for a more balanced education. She received the Golden Oak Service Award for making significant contributions to the welfare of children at Jamacha. Liz believes public schools should be fully funded and shouldn’t rely on student run fundraisers to make up for the States shortfall and a huge disadvantage to underserved communities.

Elizabeth Betancourt
California State Assembly, District 1

Elizabeth Betancourt is a farmer, a small business owner, and a rural advocate in Shasta County. Native to rural California, Elizabeth grew up in the San Joaquin Valley and spent most of her working life in Northern California’s forests, fields, and rivers. She studied science and resource management at the University of California, Davis, and continues to appreciate the holistic approach to resource management that foundation gave her. Her masters studies took her to Colorado State University, well-known for their forest and source-water management research. Elizabeth has worked for nearly twenty years in resources management and planning for all levels of government and the private sector. She understands the priorities of California’s north state, and is a bridge for a long-time conservative area, advocating for democratic values of equity and inclusion while putting the policy focus on pragmatic solutions to northeastern California’s issues.

Mai Vang
Sacramento City Council, District 8

Mai Yang Vang is the daughter of Hmong refugees from Laos, the eldest of 16 children, and a proud native of Sacramento. She was elected to the Sacramento City School Board in 2016, and is currently running for Sacramento City Council to represent District 8. In addition to her work as the Executive Director for the Buck Scholars Association, a nonprofit that provides college scholarships, she is also a fierce social justice advocate and an Ethnic Studies lecturer at both Sacramento State and U.C. Davis. She is running to represent her community on the Sacramento City Council because of her deep commitment to serving others and fighting for racial and economic justice.

Growing up in poverty, Mai saw first-hand how access to wealth determined a person’s quality of life and the resilience of families striving just to get by. As a result of this experience, Mai co-founded Hmong Innovating Politics, an organization whose mission is to strengthen the political power of disenfranchised communities via innovative civic engagement and strategic grassroots mobilization. Throughout her career as a community organizer and activist, Mai has worked directly on local and national issues involving education, labor, and racial/ethnic health disparities. In her free time, Mai enjoys hiking with her dog, Coffee, and spending time with her 15 siblings.

Marni von Wilpert
San Diego City Council, District 5

Marni von Wilpert is a Deputy City Attorney, Peace Corps volunteer and Scripps Ranch native. She received a B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies from UC Berkeley and served in the Peace Corps in Botswana, Africa where she helped improve access to healthcare and worked on treatment, prevention, and care for children and adults living with HIV/AIDS. After returning from Botswana, Marni obtained her law degree from Fordham University School of Law in New York and graduated Magna Cum Laude. She was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 2011 and the California Bar in 2017 where she became a Deputy City Attorney in the Civil Litigation Division of the San Diego City Attorney’s Office. She represents the City and people of San Diego in Court, enforcing laws that protect consumers, employees, and the environment. She initiates legal action to protect public health and safety, restore environmental quality, and sustain economic vitality in San Diego. Marni is running for City Council because she wants to make sure that every child and every family in San Diego has the same opportunity for a brighter future that she did.

Aliya Chisti
Board of Education- SF City College Board

Aliya was born and raised in San Francisco and is a graduate of SF’s public school system. She is currently seeking election to City College of San Francisco’ s Board of Trustees, one of the nation’s largest public colleges. If elected, Aliya will be the first Muslim woman to hold public office in the history of San Francisco. Aliya is an experienced educator with over a decade of experience working in schools or on policies that impact schools. Her deep commitment to education stems from her own experience growing up as a low-income student. Her passion for education and advocacy led her to complete a Masters in Education Policy from Columbia University, where she researched how student debt burden disproportionately impacts low-income and students of color. After graduating from Columbia University, Aliya was nominated for a Fulbright Scholarship in North Macedonia where she taught English to 160 students and researched Eastern Europe’s higher education system. Most recently, she served as a key education advisor to Former SF Board of Supervisors President Malia Cohen and drafted legislation to “ban the box” on private college applications, making SF the first in the nation to do so. She currently oversees the Free City College Program, an initiative that made SF the first city in the nation to offer free community college to residents. Aliya is running to fight for students, teachers, and the community to make sure they have a seat at the table.

FLORIDA

André “Dré” Rajoo
Jupiter Inlet District Commissioner, District 1

As a resident of the Jupiter Inlet District, André has seen how lucky he is to live in such a great place. With a plethora of things to do from fishing, going to the beach, or simply just spending a day cruising the waterways with family, he lives in a great place that the community enjoys. This is something he wants to protect, and this is why André is running to be the next commissioner of the Jupiter Inlet district. It is so important to him to protect waterways and keep them safe for generations to come. André currently works as a Research Assistant at the Jupiter Brain Institute and is an avid pilot and boater. He enjoys being able to work and enjoy the wonderful area of Jupiter Inlet and is thankful to call this great district his home.

Annette Collazo
Florida State House, District 110

Annette is a teacher and community organizer running to be State Representative in her community of District 110 because she is a leader who lives it — who knows what it’s like to fight hard every day to make a better life for ourselves and our families. As a first-generation Cuban-American, Annette knows the sacrifices communities like hers have made and continue to make to improve their lives and their communities. She knows what’s at stake, and she is ready to defend our values in Tallahassee. Annette will fight to reduce the power of mine blasting companies; address traffic, toll, and transit issues; protect our water quality; increase school funding, accountability and equity, and critical-thinking curricula; expand Medicaid coverage and mental health resources; and improve our economy by strengthening our safety net and raising minimum wage with supports for small businesses.

Nicole Hamm
Jacksonville City Council, District 4

Nicole, a Jacksonville native from a military family, is running to bring the voices of the community back into City Hall. Nicole is one of Jacksonville’s dynamic corporate young professionals and servant leaders. She has dedicated her life to connecting with others to inspire and enact change in the community. She is committed to listening to all the residents of Jacksonville and making sure that working-class families are supported by their local government and beyond.

She is running on a platform of investing in infrastructure improvements, restoration of local parks, advocating for government transparency and accountability, and collaboration between law enforcement and local communities.

Samuel Vilchez Santiago
Florida State House, Distirct 48

Samuel is a proven leader and change-maker who will bring bold solutions to Tallahassee. The son of a small business owner and a special ed. paraprofessional, Samuel came to the U.S. at an early age as a refugee from Venezuela without knowing any English. He has since grown up, gone to school, worked, and lived in Florida House District 48. After graduating as Valedictorian at Colonial High School, Samuel went on to graduate with honors from Princeton University. In 2018, he led a fully youth-run campaign to get Johanna López elected as the first Latina and Puerto Rican School Board member in Orange County.

He currently serves as the Florida Campaign Manager for All Voting is Local, a non-profit organization that focuses on protecting our right to vote. He is also a member of the Orange County Charter Review Commission, where he has been an effective advocate for the protection of our environment, ethics reform, and equal representation for all. He is a board member of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus, Voces Unidas por la Educación, and Ciudadano. He was also the Communications Director for the Orlando chapter of March for Our Lives. Samuel is the recipient of President Obama’s Volunteer Service Award, the Congressional Youth Award, and a Rhodes Scholar Finalist.

Erncy Dumornay
Sunrise Broward Commissioner

Erncy Dumornay has been a City of Sunrise Resident for over 10 years. As a neighbor in the community, he has made it his mission to play a pivotal role in supporting our city. He was appointed to the Education Advisory board by Mayor Michael Ryan and currently serves as the Co-Chairman for the City of Sunrise Education Advisory Board. Erncy is running for the City of Sunrise Commissioner Seat D to serve our Sunrise community. Erncy’s experience in the financial industry offers our commission diversity in perspective and the financial discipline to continue our economic prosperity.

Tammy Garcia
Florida State House, District 37

Tammy is a mother of two young children. She has a Master’s and additional advanced training in Conflict Analysis and Resolution and is currently getting Paralegal Certification. She was born and raised in Tampa, Florida to which she decided to return to raise her children after a few years away. Tammy is running for Florida State House District 37 because she feels the people of her District have for too long lacked a Representative that values people over businesses and lobbyists. For too long, no Democrat even ran in the District until she ran for the same seat in 2018. She knows it’s an uphill battle but knows the people deserve better. She is running to bring science back into fighting the impacts of climate change, to raise up Florida’s education system, and to ensure equality for all Floridians. She looks forward to giving the people of her district a real voice.

Nancy Metayer
Coral Springs Commissioner, Seat 3

Nancy is an Environmental Scientist and former member of the Broward County Soil and Water Conservation District with a decade of public service experience, leading on issues ranging from environmental advocacy to disaster relief. Nancy has a record for championing community resilience and building pipelines for access and equity. Nancy is a graduate of Florida A&M University, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree and Johns Hopkins University where she received her Master of Health Science degree.

Nancy has undertaken work across multiple government agencies and nonprofit organizations — both domestically and internationally. She has brought long-term strategy expertise to programs seeking to improve environmental conditions, water, sanitation and public health across vulnerable communities. She has been a staunch advocate for those impacted by water crises nationwide and worked extensively in response to devastating natural disasters such as Hurricane Irma (2017), Hurricane Michael (2018) and Hurricane Dorian (2019). Most recently, Nancy led a long-term strategy initiative, the Florida Disaster Preparedness Plan (FDPP), which focuses on building disaster and community resilience in vulnerable neighborhoods across the state of Florida. Nancy is currently the Statewide Coalition Manager where she supports reproductive and gender justice efforts.

Jochua Cora Santiago
Osceola Board of Education, District 2

Jochy is a 29-year-old progressive educator and activist in the Central Florida area. He has been in education since 2012 and became politically engaged after the primaries of 2015. He has a passion for educating children and adults on how the US electoral system works. Central Florida is home to the biggest community of Puerto Ricans and he makes sure that Puerto Ricans and Latinxs in general have the proper information to make informed decisions when it is time to cast a vote.

He is now combining his knowledge of education and politics and running for the Osceola School board. After a big push from his former teacher co-workers who motivated him to run in Osceola, he decided to file in January 2020. He will make sure to bring a teacher’s perspective into the Osceola School Board which is very much needed in these times of COVID-19. Our state has become new the epicenter of this pandemic and school officials are obligating School Boards to make the tough decisions to reopen. The Osceola School Board needs a School Board Member that will not be intimidated by the Governor nor the Department of Education and I am ready to be that voice that stands up for teachers and students.

Michele Rayner
Florida State House, District 70

As a civil rights attorney, Michele has fought for justice in some of the most egregious cases of police brutality, reviewed and helped implement policy as a legislative aide, and advocated with our community that all people have full access to their civil and human rights. Born and raised in Pinellas County, Michele is ready to lead on day one and more importantly put the people of District 70 first to ensure access to quality and affordable healthcare so we can stay and healthy, tackle housing affordability so folks have a safe and stable place to live, and ensure good paying jobs to help our community get back on its feet.

Jeannetta Maxena
Orange County School Board, District 7

Jeannetta Maxena has a mission to make a difference in her community, serve all residents, improve low performing schools, and she will always be an advocate for teachers. Jeannetta is an experienced teacher and she is more than qualified for the job. She is the only candidate for the Orange County School Board District 7 with recent teaching experience making her the best fit for the position. Jeannetta is running to give underserved communities a voice.

Jeannetta is a native of Orange County Florida and has strong familial ties to the area. She is of Haitian and African American descent and she graduated from Apopka High School. After Jeannetta graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Political Science, she began a career as an educator for Orange County Public Schools. Jeannetta has worked as a tutor at Eccleston Elementary and then she worked as a Teacher at Wekiva High School. She also taught World History at Lake County Schools and she is currently earning a Master’s in Public Administration at UCF.

Caprice Edmond
Pinellas County Board, Seat 7

Caprice is a parent, educator, child advocate and active community member in St. Petersburg Florida. This is her first campaign for public office. She is running for a single member seat on the Pinellas County School Board, the 8th largest school system in Florida and 27th largest in the country with a $1.5 billion dollar budget. Her platform includes fair funding and resources for all schools, whole child learning, ending the School to Prison Pipeline, recruiting and retaining the best educators and support professionals as well as improving family engagement and community partnerships.

If elected, Caprice will advocate for Equity in Education so all children receive the education they deserve. Her experience and education has prepared her for this role. She has two master’s degrees one in Elementary Education and Educational Leadership and over 18 years of experience serving and advocating for children and education. She looks forward to serving and representing her community.

Joshua Hicks
Florida State House, District 11

Joshua is native North Floridian, raised by a single mother who worked multiple jobs to provide for him and his brothers. Because of her example, he’s always understood the meaning of a hard day’s work. He went to public schools before graduating from Florida State University in 2007. Through his life experiences, he knows the power of a good, quality public education and why we need to do more to support working Floridians and their families.

Joshua has dedicated his career to giving back and making a difference in the non-profit sector. He’s worked for the People for the American Way Foundation, the Service Employees International Union, the League of Conservation Voters, and currently with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. He’s also served on the Pride Fund to End Gun Violence’ss Young Professionals Board and is currently a member of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus.

Robert Stephens
Miami Gardens, Council Seat 1

South Florida faith leader, change agent & educator. Robert attended Miami Dade College, North Campus and while attending, Robert had the wonderful opportunity to be employed with the college for six years. The experience that Robert has gained while working at the North and Medical Campus of Miami Dade College has positioned him to learn more in various components of higher education, financial aid, admissions, registration, recruitment, student success strategies, and student engagement. Robert is currently employed with Barry University, Biomedical Sciences Program where he continues to assist students pursue their post- secondary educational goals and provide support to faculty.

Alicia Bays
Florida State House, District 6

Alicia has served the people and animals of Bay County as a veterinarian her entire professional career. Now, she wants to serve as their legislator in the Florida House of Representatives. One of six children, she put herself through college at Mount Saint Mary’s University and vet school at the Virginia — Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. Having worked as a waitress, veterinary technician, and farmhand, she understands the challenges and rewards of working in the service sector.

She moved to Bay County, Florida after marrying her husband Matt and he took a position as a civilian engineer supporting the warfighter and the U. S. Navy at Naval Support Activity Panama City. She is now the Medical Director of a local non-profit spay and neuter clinic, providing low-cost veterinary services to the animals and pet owners of the Florida Panhandle. In her spare time, she works as a rural and relief veterinarian providing independent services to local farmers and horse owners, and has achieved her dream of running her own family farm raising goats. Her two young sons enjoy exploring the outdoors at local parks and playgrounds. They are her inspiration for her first entry into politics and a hope to make a Bay County comeback.

GEORGIA

Maryam Ahmad
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Super, District 6

Maryam Ahmad is running for office because she genuinely cares about her home, DeKalb County, where she was born/raised and has been a community activist since a young age. She went to DeKalb public schools and graduated from Emory University with a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology and Human Biology, followed by a Master of Public Health degree in Epidemiology from Georgia State University. Maryam is a founding member and current board member of House of Globalization, which focuses on the issues of domestic violence and human trafficking. She has supported and led efforts against discriminatory policies and actions. Maryam also has supported countless organizations fighting for the rights of people, such as assisting ICE detainees with legal and other services. She has worked at the DeKalb County Board of Health in refugee clinics and developed plans toward health equity. Maryam is committed to ensure that all people and communities are heard and that we work towards health equity of the county. She has a clear understanding that she is a representative of the people and that is who she works for.

HAWAII

Patrick Branco
Hawai’i State House, District 50

Born and raised in Kailua, Patrick’s passion for public service started early when his fourth-generation Kailua family instilled values of community, respect, and resilience. Patrick graduated from the Kamehameha Schools and received a full scholarship to Hawaii Pacific University. While studying at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) funded by the Charles B. Rangel Fellowship, he earned fellowships at both the United States Embassy in Korea and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. A former U.S. Diplomat, Patrick served the country by promoting economic development, security, and cultural understanding in some of the world’s most unpredictable areas, including Pakistan, Venezuela, and Colombia. With years of his experience building a coalition and turning challenges into opportunities, he is bringing the same approach to the State Legislature, as he tirelessly advocates for his community in Kailua and Kane’ohe Bay.

Idaho

Dr. Teresa Borrenpohl
Idaho State House, District 3

Dr. Teresa Borrenpohl is an advocate for education. She has dedicated her career to decreasing the barriers of education for Idaho’s students. Teresa developed a region-wide education program to ensure the students of North Idaho can seek a higher education. In one year of the program, go-on rates increased by 25% with rural schools seeing the greatest impact.

Dr. Borrenpohl is running to ensure that the students of Idaho no longer have to take the backseat to other priorities. In the past 20+ years, Republicans have allowed Idaho to rank 51st in per-pupil spending and 50th in college go-on rates. Education brings personal fulfillment to individuals and drives the economy for our communities. A healthy Idaho depends on a solid education foundation. Teresa will fight everyday to ensure Idaho students are prepared for the world that awaits them.

Chelsea Gaona-Lincoln
Idaho State House, District 10, House Seat B

Chelsea was raised in Wilder, attended the College of Idaho, and has made a home with her family here in Caldwell. To say Canyon County is her home is an understatement. Her roots here run deep. Over the years Chelsea has seen the needs of everyday Idahoans get ignored by those in power, who put special interests ahead of the people, regardless of the impact. This must stop, our Idaho communities deserve better.

There are a multitude of issues impacting our everyday lives, Chelsea wants to make sure we address all we can so folks have the opportunity to thrive in our state. There are three main issues motivating her to run for office: addressing Idaho’s flailing education system, increasing wages to levels that can sustain a family safely, and preserving the legacy of agriculture that makes Canyon County special by preserving farmland. It’s just as much of a priority to Chelsea that she maintains a connection to her district and stays accessible so together the community can navigate what is best for Idaho. As a legislator, Chelsea will have her eyes on solutions to serve the next generation, not just the next election cycle.

INDIANA

Ashley Klein
Indiana State House, District 39

Ashley is a Carmel native, mother of three, who is focused on bringing a voice to Indiana’s children and families. She is a real estate professional and a small business owner with a background in non-profit work with United Way. Ashley is committed to legislative solutions that support all families. Her focus on adequate funding for public schools, the promotion of clean energy jobs in Indiana, and common-sense gun legislation make her a modern candidate in her ever evolving suburban district.

Ashley Eason
Indiana State Senate, District 36

Not everyone is lucky enough to be born in Indiana — some Hoosiers have to find their way home. Ashley and her husband Andy moved to Indianapolis for work but instantly felt at home. Indy has the perfect combination of hard-working innovators and friendly Midwestern charm. (Also, they never could have guessed the Indy 500 was what was missing from their lives!)

Ashley had quite the adventure getting to Indiana, and her experiences have prepared her for the challenges to come with governing. As a nonprofit executive, she has led teams and projects with business and government partners, so she has a unique understanding of the needs of each sector. She also understands how to achieve great outcomes with limited resources. She has deep experience leading bi-partisan advocacy teams connected with communities at the grassroots level, having coordinated 300 high-level volunteers across four Midwestern states. From her Texas roots, to her time living in Memphis and D.C., she learned how different communities tackle their unique challenges. When she studied and worked abroad, she developed ways to build bridges across cultural divides to solve problems. These skills and more have prepared her to serve at the Indiana statehouse.

IOWA

Carissa Froyum
Iowa State House, District 63

Carissa is a fourth generation educator, union leader, and mother to a medically fragile child. To Carissa, healthcare is personal. Her second child was born with a rare, life-threatening medical condition. He doesn’t breathe in his sleep; a machine breathes for him. Private insurance doesn’t cover what her son needs to be safe and he went onto Medicaid as a baby. When Medicaid was privatized in Iowa, a recertification company asked her if she was willing to put her young son into a nursing home if they denied his coverage. Disgusted by the immorality of it, Carissa exclaimed, “No, never!” She has been a strong voice for vulnerable Iowans ever since.

Ruby Bodeker
Iowa State House, District 75

Ruby is a teacher by training and a small town newspaper correspondent by trade, currently in national service in rural Iowa. She is running to represent Iowa House District 75 because for far too long rural issues and the concerns of working people have not been prioritized in the Iowa Legislature. No one should be left behind. To that end, Ruby believes we need a new voice in Des Moines — someone to agitate, to ask the questions, to tell the stories percolating up from the grassroots because we live here, too.

Ruby is a decidedly rural, Democratic voice who meets people where they are and listens to their stories. She believes the path to a thriving tomorrow runs through the very heart of rural Iowa, the steward of the land, the small town, the family farm, the local public school. This is the Iowa Ruby knows, believes in, and is ready to stand up and fight for by protecting workers and expanding unions, fully funding public education, keeping local public schools open, reversing the privatization of Medicaid, raising the minimum wage, expanding the number of beginning farmers on the land, ensuring clean water for all, and creating a state-level climate task force. Ruby and her husband are both union members who live in rural Benton County on an acreage with their four children.

KENTUCKY

Francisco Serrano
Bowling Green Commissioner

Francisco grew up across the tracks, the son of refugees who taught him to show up and fight hard. Bowling Green is his home, and local leaders are holding back the city’s potential. He’s testified before the Kentucky Senate to protect immigrants, marched in Frankfort for education funding, and seen first-hand that when local leaders are disengaged, the most vulnerable pay the cost — sometimes with their lives. It’s time Bowling Green makes a seat at the table for young people of color.

Francisco was not always political. In 2016, his younger cousin was hit by a car and killed in an elementary school zone that should have been safe. His community rallied together and shut the road down. They fought for months to get a stoplight — justice for her and another child that had died at the same spot, in the same way, thirty years before. Francisco learned that leaders must work to prevent problems because the city can’t afford to wait. From sidewalks to stoplights, lives are on the line. Francisco is running to be proactive in his community and be a voice for the unheard.

Lamar Allen
Kentucky State House, District 56

Lamar has 10 years of experience as an educator. In Kentucky, Lamar has taught grades 2 through 4 and has served in leadership capacities that impact kindergarten through fifth grade. His work has completely been in disenfranchised urban communities. This experience has led Lamar to continue his fight for children outside of the classroom. He decided to run for Kentucky’s House of Representatives to ensure the voices and needs of his students are heard. He is the first black candidate to ever run for Kentucky’s House District 56 seat. If elected, he would also be the youngest in Kentucky’s history. Lamar is a relentless advocate for the most marginalized in Kentucky and believes it’s time for a progressive and swift change toward equity. He is fighting to strengthen education, expand healthcare, and dismantle systems of injustice.

MASSACHUSETTS

Andrew Flowers
Massachusetts State House, 8th Norfolk District

Andrew is running because we need a fresh infusion of bold leaders on Beacon Hill — leaders with both expertise and backbone to confront the urgent problems we face. His background as an economist and local leader makes him uniquely qualified for this moment.

Andrew grew up in a working-class family that struggled, moving more than 20 times, across five states, before graduating from high school. His parents went bankrupt twice. As a teenager, Andrew worked for his dad’s janitorial business, rising before dawn to clean office buildings and retail stores before racing to school. After graduating from the University of Chicago, he now has more than a decade of experience in economics, including five years at the Federal Reserve during the last major recession. Recently, he was an economist at Indeed.com, the world’s largest jobs site. He lives in Walpole with my wife Anna and their two little kids. In Walpole, he is Vice Chair of the Finance Committee and Chair of the affordable housing committee.

Dr. Marianela Rivera
Massachusetts State House, 17th Essex District

Marianela is a pediatric physical therapist and social justice advocate who has dedicated her career to providing culturally competent care in her hometown. Her experiences in healthcare and special education revealed systemic issues that were impacting her patients, students, and clients. The most alarming of her experiences was witnessing the state of education in the Lawrence Public Schools under receivership. Determined to make the changes her students desperately needed, Marianela ran and won a last-minute sticker campaign for the Lawrence School Committee. She was elected Vice Chair during her second term and dedicated her public service to providing civic education, empowering her community members, and fighting for education justice.

Marianela’s grassroots efforts helped organize parents, teachers, students, activists, and concerned citizens to save public education during the “No on 2” campaign and the Fund Our Future campaign that led to the passing of the Student Opportunity Act. She is currently working in special education and remains dedicated to equity work as she shifts her focus towards running for state representative. She aspires to serve the communities of Lawrence, Andover, and Methuen by collaboratively creating solutions that improve the quality of our lives. With her knowledge and experience, Marianela desires to unify experts in all areas, especially in the healthcare and education fields, to guide policies that positively impact our communities. She hopes to bring her expertise and much needed perspective to the State House.

Helina Fontes
Governor’s Council, District 6

Helina is running for Governor’s Council because she wants to improve diversity in the Massachusetts judicial system. With a background in mental health, non-profits, and human services, Helina has seen the negative effects of the current judicial system firsthand. Through her personal and professional experiences, Helina would bring new ideas to a Governor’s Council that desperately needs new perspectives, given that it is primarily made up of private practice attorneys, and lacks any racial, economic and professional diversity.

Helina’s main issues are ensuring that justice, clerk and parole board appointments are vetted through a more holistic criterion, and increasing general public involvement in the Governor’s Council Voting process. Helina’s philosophy of appointment is centered around the idea that appointees should represent and reflect the communities in which they serve, and demonstrate their commitment to a more just society.

MICHIGAN

TyJuan Thirdgill
Lansing/Ingham County/Delhi Charter Township — Board of Trustees Delhi Charter Township

TyJuan Thirdgill is running for Delhi Township Trustee because he wants to help bring a fresh perspective and new innovative solutions to our board. We need individuals from diverse backgrounds to ensure that all viewpoints are at the table and a part of the conversation when discussing the future of Delhi Township. As an African American college student from a different generation than everyone on our board, he sees the problems his Township faces through a different lens than the other members. He hopes that you will join him as he fights to overcome the aftermath of COVID-19 and build a stronger, healthier community for all of Delhi Township.

Alex Bronson
Michigan State House, District 24

Alex is running for office so he can bring a stronger voice to workers in Michigan and his district. He’s been a painter and drywaller in Macomb County for the last 10 years and has owned his own business for the last 8 years. He started his business while working on his degree in Biochemistry at Wayne State University. He’s also the Director of the American Organization for Scientific Causes, a nonprofit he started that aims to get high school students the resources they need to enter STEM programs in college. He was appointed to the City Planning Commission in Mount Clemens in 2017 and held that position until he moved to Harrison Township in 2019. He’s also currently the Fundraising Chair for the 10th Congressional District Democratic Committee. He wants to ensure that workers get a livable minimum wage, schools are fully-funded, and the environment is cleaned up. He’s passionate about these issues and wants to get them done for his district and his state.

Abraham Aiyash
Michigan State House, District 4

Abraham Aiyash is a community organizer with over a decade of experience fighting for social, economic, and environmental justice. He is running for District 4 State Representative to make sure Hamtramck and Detroit have a strong voice in Lansing as we battle COVID-19 and the plague of racism. He is a lifelong resident of the district, a son of immigrants, and comes from a UAW family.

China Cochran
Michigan State House, District 3

Born and raised in a proud union family in Detroit, China is driven by her commitment to the people and neighborhoods of our community. She is running because she cares about our shared future. The only woman in the race, China will bring a much needed perspective as our next State Representative. As your next State Representative, China will always advocate for women and girls, fight for children and to better fund our public schools, expand access to health care and make our neighborhoods stronger and safer. China earned her BA in Journalism from Langston University, MA in Social Justice from Marygrove College, and is pursuing her PH.D. in Urban Education. China has years of experience working in local government and the nonprofit sector, including organizing healthcare workers with SEIU, leading Community Relations for Detroit City Council, and serving as Managing Editor for local youth journalism program, “Our Life in the D.”

MINNESOTA

Ukasha Dakane
Edina City Council

Ukasha Dakane was born and raised in Kenya and as a first-generation immigrant from Kenya, he has set and achieved clear goals, participated and enacted change in his community, and learned how to attain what at first can seem unattainable. His family always encouraged him to expand his horizons and get an education. Throughout his career, he has been an active listener and thoughtful decision-maker who advocated for innovative thinking, equity, accountability, transparency, honesty and clear communications for all. As a small business owner and a founder of a nonprofit that helped low income families find stability, he created jobs for more than 540 low-income families in 2019 and worked hard to ensure all the underrepresented voices have a seat at the table.

MISSOURI

Phyllis Hardwick
Missouri State House, District 19

Phyllis Hardwick is a second-generation educator who lives in the Pendleton Heights neighborhood. The daughter of a truck driver and school paraprofessional, Phyllis learned the value of hard work and a good education very early in life. Even on fixed incomes, her parents made a home for their children. A home supported by strong community relationships and shared ideals.

After more than a decade of public and civic service in Kansas City, Phyllis is running to work for the citizens of Missouri House District 19. A dynamic workforce, strong schools, thriving small businesses, and practical solutions to end violence in our city will create more opportunities for our community. Phyllis has the skills and life experience to be an effective leader in Jefferson City that gets things done — leadership that will ensure our community will move forward in a better direction.

Kimberly-Ann Collins
Missouri State House, District 77

Kimberly-Ann Collins is 27 years old and a lifelong resident of Missouri’s 77th District. She is a public health professional with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Sciences and a Minor of Arts in Chemistry. Although her background is in the public health field, her heart has always been with the community. Kimberly-Ann serves as an executive board member for the Vile Collaborative group, board member for Yeatman Liddell Full Service School, 21st Ward Event Coordinator, secretary for the 77th District Legislative committee, member of Area E Federation of Block Unit, and active member of the Penrose neighborhood association.

Kimberly-Ann has spent her entire life putting others first. She works hands-on everyday with people who come from all walks of life to help improve living and health conditions for all. Kimberly- Ann believes a public health approach is the best way to address our concerns and issues without criminalizing others.

MONTANA

Helena Lovick
Montana State House, District 26

When Helena Lovick was growing up, her family struggled with poverty and sometimes relied on food stamps and food pantries to get by. But she was lucky. Through education and hard work, Helena was able to break the cycle of poverty. Now she works as a scientist while raising her two children with her husband in Great Falls, Montana. Helena makes an effort to volunteer and give back to her community. But she sees so many of her neighbors struggling with the same types of problems her family faced. Helena is running for the Montana State House of Representatives because she wants to help ensure Montanans have the support they need to succeed.

Jasmine Taylor
Montana State House, District 22

Jasmine is a first-generation college student and believes in the power of public education. Growing up, Jasmine watched her parents go bankrupt after a family member was diagnosed with cancer. Forced into poverty, Jasmine’s family relied on food stamps and Medicaid to make ends meet. Jasmine learned that hard working families can lose everything with just one medical emergency, and has since committed her life to public service. Jasmine has worked for Montana’s Department of Health and Human Services for 8 years, and is a proud member of the Montana Federation of Public Employees union. If elected, Jasmine will continue her fight to uplift all Montanans, not just those born into wealth

NEVADA

Jasmin Lilly-Spells
Judge Clark County District Court, Dept. 23

Lilly-Spells is a wife to a navy veteran, mom of four kids, and a skilled trial attorney. Right before her 16th Christmas, her favorite cousin died in an interaction with law enforcement. This experience inspired Lilly-Spells to become an attorney dedicated to helping others. Seeing this tragic incident full circle and working with upstanding officers, Lilly-Spells now wants to serve her community in a greater capacity, as judge in District Court, Department 23. For over a decade, Lilly-Spells has protected the constitutional rights of all and given a voice to the voiceless. She understands how judges’ decisions are long-lasting and how judicial decisions affect people and businesses. Lilly-Spells has handled cases from beginning to end. Specializing in criminal law, she is experienced in research, writing, litigation, and oral advocacy at every stage of state court. She is dual licensed and practices civil law on a pro bono. Having served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and an ongoing mentor, Lilly-Spells is passionate about children and dedicated to her community. She promises to provide a courtroom where respect, equal access to justice, a listening ear and balanced rulings are commonplace. Lilly-Spells has the courage to make the tough decisions and the integrity to make the right decisions without regard to self-interest. She brings a level of cultural competency and work ethic that is missing from the judiciary. Lilly-Spells has dedicated her career to working for justice, so justice can work for the people. She will continue the same as your next judge.

Liz Becker
Nevada State Senate, District 18

Liz Becker is an environmental scientist, lactation consultant, and former teacher from a family of public school educators. Liz is running for Nevada State Senate to be a voice for her constituents, not corporate donors. For the past 15 years, she and her family have lived, worked, and volunteered in this community. Liz is the former Nevada Chapter Leader for Moms Demand Action for Gunsense in America and most recently worked in the Conservation Department at the Southern Nevada Water Authority. She is married to Michael, an Air Force veteran, and they have three children: two adults and one third grader.

Liz is passionate about climate change mitigation — including drought management and the transition to a society free from fossil fuels — properly funding and improving the public education system, and ensuring that every Nevadan has access to quality, affordable healthcare, including mental health and addiction recovery services. For far too long, our politics have been dominated by privileged, monied interests. Liz knows that true power lies in the hands of everyday Americans and we must stand up and take that power back. She is ready to do the work to be the change.

Dallas Harris
Nevada State Senate, District 11

Dallas Harris is the current Nevada State Senator in District 11. After completing law school in Washington, D.C. she returned back to her home town of Las Vegas, Nevada, where she began a career in public service working for the state. After the election of Aaron Ford as Attorney General in 2018, she was appointed to the Senate. In her first legislative session, she advanced progressive legislation that supported injured workers, teachers, and the LGBTQ+ community. Dallas continues to be a vocal advocate for equality and criminal justice reform.

Anna Albertson
Clark County, District Court Judge, Dept 17

Anna is a mother, small business owner, attorney, and wife. She’s running for District Court Judge in order to make the court system more fair for everyone. She has extensive experience litigating and trying cases where she has seen first hand what unfair and unjust rulings do to individuals, families, small businesses, and the community.

For years Anna has represented clients that are living paycheck to paycheck or trying to keep businesses afloat. As a result, she understands how much the rulings made by a judge can affect all of us and how important it is that judges focus on doing what is fair instead of being influenced by powerful attorneys, law firms, or litigants.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Natalie Quevedo
New Hampshire State House, Cheshire 13

Natalie is a powerhouse organizer. She is passionate about building community and uplifting the voices of those not being heard. She believes that building community requires compassion and a commitment to compromise. Natalie has worked in the renewable energy field for over 10 years. She started out as a laborer on a roof and diligently worked her way up to Chief Contracting Officer. She firmly believes that hard work and dedication can change anything including a community. Natalie’s campaign focuses on funding a sustainable renewable energy program, education funding, addiction & recovery services, and bringing awareness to the mental health crisis.

Tony Labranche
New Hampshire State House, Hillsborough 22

Tony is an 18-year-old community activist who has fought for LGBTQ+ rights, electoral reform, equitable education funding, and accessible healthcare for all. He is running for State Representative in New Hampshire’s district Hillsborough-22 which encompasses all of Amherst, NH. Tony is running on a platform of pragmatic change from building a green economy, to paid family leave, to better funding for education K-Post Secondary, and making our democracy more representative of the people.

Melbourne Moran Jr.
New Hampshire State House, Hillsborough County District 34

Melbourne Moran Jr. is a dedicated clinical social worker having obtained his Master’s Degree in Social Work from Boston University. As a clinician he is battling the opioid epidemic and mental health crisis on the frontline through direct treatment and care of individuals and families.

Melbourne is running to serve Hillsborough 34 as a Representative at the New Hampshire State House. He believes that the residents of District 34 and all residents of New Hampshire deserve healthcare as a right, equitable public education that does not overburden the property tax payer and public investment in housing that is truly affordable for working people.

Natalie Taylor
New Hampshire State House, Belknap 2

Natalie is a small business owner motivated to help her district retain its young people in the face of a housing crisis. Gilford and Meredith, both tourist destinations, are also popular retirement towns. Young people are being priced out of the area, resulting in a diminishing workforce. Natalie plans to work locally for affordable housing and child care, and to pass progressive legislation like addiction treatment services and a livable minimum wage, making New Hampshire a desirable home for all young people.

Ariel Oxaal
New Hampshire House Strafford County, District 15 / Dover Ward 3

Ariel Oxaal is proud to call the Seacoast Region of New Hampshire her home. After graduating from University of New Hampshire she worked professionally in marketing and sales, as well as hospitality and tourism, event planning, and management. Ariel is running for New Hampshire State Representative in Strafford County 15 (Dover, Ward 3). Dover Ward 3 encompasses all of the historic Dover Point area, as well as a small segment of the Downtown Dover area, creating a diverse constituent base, as well as the largest voter turnout in Dover.

Sara Dillingham
New Hampshire State House, Rockingham 8

Sara is running for New Hampshire State Representative because of her commitment to advancing our state and elevating the voices of Salem residents. Sara is a proud graduate of Nashua High School North, The University of New Hampshire, and The University of Southern California. She has experience working with individuals and supporting community development at the grassroots level.

Her purpose is to team with the people of New Hampshire, to be a voice, and to advocate for marginalized communities regardless of political affiliation. As a registered Democrat, she is prepared to work hard to do what is best for our families, friends, and loved ones. Her focus will be on reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ equality, high-quality education across the state, affordable and effective housing programs, evidence-based approaches for treating addiction, the eradication of homelessness, and adequate and affordable healthcare for all.

Robin Vogt
New Hampshire State House, Rockingham District 25

Robin Vogt is a special education ESP and public education funding advocate with experience as an activist for disability rights, legalization of cannabis and medicare for all in New Hampshire. He is running to represent District 25, Ward 1 in Rockingham County where climate change and affordable housing are crucial to the success of his neighborhoods. As a special education union leader, he has fought for living wages, healthcare for all staff and school safety. Robin is an outspoken advocate for police reform and the restructuring of police funding for programs that need it most in his state. Robin lives in Portsmouth, NH with his parents and sibling.

Ben Ming
New Hampshire State House, Hillsborough 40

Ben is running for the New Hampshire House to make NH a more affordable place to live for all Granite Staters. He has heard the concerns of his community as a member of the Hollis Planning Board and he intends to make a significant difference as a first-term legislator by using his experience as a real estate and estate planning lawyer. Ben’s inspiration to run and put in the hard work that’s necessary to make a positive impact in his community can be summed up in one word: family. Being married to a frontline medical worker, he’s acutely aware of the sacrifices that healthcare workers and their families have made during the global pandemic. He wants to be a part of the solution that will give true support to those workers.

Mackenzie Murphy
New Hampshire State House, Hillsborough 21

Mackenzie Murphy is a 23 year-old Merrimack native who is committed to serving her community. Mackenzie currently works in the field of higher education, has served as an Americorps VISTA and serves as an At-Large member on the Merrimack School District Budget Committee. Mackenzie never imagined a future in politics, but always knew she wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. Through Mackenzie’s lived experience with some learning challenges and a speech impediment, she has always valued and appreciated the education that she received through the public education system. She understands the need to appropriately fund our public schools to make sure every child has the opportunity to receive a quality public education.

Alex Lloyd
New Hampshire State House, District 23

Alex is a lifelong granite-stater who has dedicated his professional career to helping people. He worked for several years working for a social service agency to help children get an education. From there, he went on to work at the NH Job Corps, where he helped students develop skills, housing and get connected to good paying jobs with businesses from several industries in our community. He currently works for NH’s Department for Health and Human Services, ensuring the children and their families of his community are safe and get the support they need to be successful.

NEW YORK

Chantel Jackson
New York State Assembly, District 79

Chantel is a native New Yorker and candidate for New York State Assembly for the 79th District in The South Bronx. Child of an immigrant mother from Belize, and American born father, Chantel proudly claims, “Soy de Belice,” while giving honor to her African ancestors. Chantel is also a dedicated member of her community, deeply connected and engaging in work which is selfless and life-changing. She is a proud UFT member and social worker at a NYC public high school, college professor and published author.

Chantel believes that her W.H.E.N. (Wellness, Housing, Education, Now!) mission, will genuinely and totally transform her district into an even more healthy and wealthy community. Of the 62 counties in New York State, the Bronx holds the title as the unhealthiest county. Chantel wants to reduce high rates of diabetes, obesity, heart disease and asthma by addressing the environmental factors that are the causes for these issues. She wants to properly fund mental health services and increase insurance for uninsured and underinsured people. When it comes to housing, she wants to continue creating affordable housing, lower evictions and increase home ownership. Chantel wants to make sure the neediest school districts receive the funding owed to them by New York State. She wants to increase education in the RBCs; Real Estate, Business, Credit & Stocks.

NORTH CAROLINA

Aleccia Sutton
Onslow County Board of Commissioners

Aleccia Sutton is an advocate and organizer running for County Commissioner in Onslow County. She is a native of Jacksonville, NC and a proud alum of North Carolina A&T State University. Since her days at A&T, she has been dedicated to fighting for change. Her fight for change is primarily the main reason she is running for county commissioner.

Understanding the importance of representation, Aleccia is running for county commissioner to give a voice to those voiceless citizens of Onslow. Onslow needs a commissioner willing to fight for economic development that is equitable to all. Onslow needs a commissioner willing to fight and advocate for its schools. Most importantly, Onslow needs a commissioner willing to fight and advocate for the well-being of its citizens. Aleccia is running to be just that

Mary Beth Murphy
Guilford County Board of Commissioners, District 4

Mary Beth Murphy is a dedicated teacher, coach, wife, mom and advocate for change in Guilford County, North Carolina. After years of watching elected officials divest public education, the backbone of a strong economy and community, Mary Beth decided to step into politics for her students, her family, and her community. She is committed to using her role in leadership to solve problems, to give voice to those who are often silenced, and to work tirelessly for equality for all members of her community. Mary Beth believes the people of Guilford County should be fairly compensated for their work, and is committed to fighting for a living wage. She knows that we must invest in our future by investing in public education. Further, Mary Beth sees the value in fully funding the Department of Health and Human services in order to provide additional school nurses and to improve access to health care for all residents.

Terry Brown
North Carolina State House, District 92

Terry is an attorney, husband and lifelong North Carolinian running to be a progressive voice for his neighbors in Southwest Mecklenburg County. Terry fell in love with the Queen City as a college student at UNC Charlotte and has devoted his adult life to serving his community through advocacy. As the child of two retired NC public school educators Terry has a passion for fighting for inequities in the education system and ensuring every child in North Carolina receives a world-class education. Terry is a graduate of Campbell University School of Law and works to create long lasting affordable housing options in Charlotte.

OHIO

Christian Johnson
Ohio State Senate, District 20

Christian is a business owner, an educator, and above all, a strong woman who is running to bring solution-based remedies to a broken, divisive and outdated system. Fueled by firsthand experiences with systemic injustices within education, healthcare and the economy/wages, Christian aims to help the government function effectively for everyday, hardworking residents. It’s time to ensure our families are safe, close, and doing more thriving than surviving.

Christian is a Pickerington Local School District substitute teacher and in-home instructor with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education and M.S. in Sports and Recreation Management. She has a passion for the students she educates and mentors and is working to build a system that supports and protects them.

OKLAHOMA

Merleyn Bell
Oklahoma State House, District 45

Merleyn Bell is a fifth-generation Oklahoman and an art director with over 15 years of experience in publication design. In November 2018, she was elected to represent House District 45 in east Norman, becoming the first black woman ever elected to represent her hometown. During her first year in the House Merleyn proposed legislation in a variety of areas, from reforming Oklahoma’s criminal justice system to improving the state’s infrastructure. In 2020, she was named one of Norman’s Next Under 40 and an Achiever Under 40 by the Journal Record newspaper. Merleyn serves on a number of committees, including Energy and Natural Resources, Finance, and Veterans and Military Affairs, the last of which she considers a great honor as her father was a disabled United States Army veteran.

PENNSYLVANIA

Amen Brown
Pennsylvania State House, District 190

Amen Brown is a community servant and has always invested in his community, as the 190th district is home. Amen was born and raised in West Philadelphia, where he overcame many obstacles such as: poverty, homelessness, an absentee father, and more. But, through those hardships and experiences, he persevered and made it his mission to create change in his community through his lived experiences. If it were not for the support of the community growing up, he would not be the person he is today.

Amen matriculated through the Philadelphia public school system, attending Hamilton, Sayre, and Overbrook High Schools. After graduating from Overbrook High School, he successfully gained employment as a Coordinator for University of Pennsylvania Sayre Community School Beacon, which sparked a new passion — working with children. From there, he opened a daycare center to help single mothers like his get to work and provide for their families. He also founded the Overbrook Beacon Community Empowerment Center not far from his alma mater to offer after-school care and programming on: gun violence prevention, financial literacy, drug prevention, technology, dance classes, and mental health awareness.

Napoleon Nelson
Pennsylvania State House, 154th District

Napoleon Nelson, is running for State Representative serving District 154 (Cheltenham, Jenkintown, and Springfield). He became a Committeeperson for the Cheltenham Democratic Committee in 2007, was honored as Committeeperson of the Year and serves as 2nd Vice Chair. In 2011, he was elected to the Cheltenham School Board, chairing the Finance, Personnel committees, and served as Board president. In 2017 he was elected Cheltenham’s Finance Officer. He continues to advocate for education as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Montgomery County Community College.

Napoleon grew up in Mt. Airy, graduated from Central High School (257th class), holds a Bachelor of Science from MIT and an MBA from The Wharton School. Napoleon is a finance professional with over 16 years of business experience in investment analysis, planning, analysis, and corporate strategy.

Manuel Guzman
Pennsylvania State House, District 127

Manuel (Manny) is a second-generation Latino who comes from a working-class family. Before reuniting with his father during later years, Manny’s mother Peggy, was a single mother of 5 kids struggling to make ends meet. Peggy did the best she could to provide for Manny and his siblings, but there was never enough money to cover mounting bills and medical expenses. Sometimes the electricity was cut off, at other times the water. But the family persisted and finally persevered. These struggles have stayed with Manny his entire life and are the fuel that powers his passion to help working-class families climb out of poverty, by becoming a much needed progressive voice for them in Harrisburg.

Lindsay Drew
Pennsylvania State House, District 106

Lindsay Drew grew up in a working middle-class family and is now a self-employed single parent who works tirelessly for the common good. She’s running for State Representative because she believes our government and elected officials are no longer hearing the voice of the people and are being left behind in the decisions being made in Harrisburg. Her proven track record of action, advocacy, service above self-commitment to authenticity, and trustworthiness will make her the Representative the 106th district deserves.

Rick Krajewski
Pennsylvania State Assembly, District 188

Rick is a West Philadelphia neighbor, criminal justice organizer, educator and artist running for State Representative in the 188th State House District. Rick is running to champion our values in Harrisburg by putting people before profit and fighting for the future we all deserve. As a working class multi-racial Black man raised by a single mother, Rick knows courage and community are fundamental for us to thrive. As an organizer, he knows it takes people power to transform systems for the better.

As a resident, Rick has worked for criminal justice reform and access to public education. Since 2016, Rick has been an organizer with Reclaim Philadelphia, fighting to put working class people at the forefront of the city. In the 2017 general election, Rick led a team of 200 volunteers in our neighborhoods to elect Larry Krasner, the most progressive District Attorney in the country on a historic platform of ending mass incarceration, ending cash bail, and fighting corruption in the police department and within the DA’s office itself.

RHODE ISLAND

Adamaris Villar
Central Falls City Council, Ward 2

Adamaris moved to the one square mile City of Central Falls when she was six (6) years old from Puerto Rico. Since then she has called Central Falls her home. She is a product of the Central Falls School District, graduating from Central Falls High School in 2015. Then in 2018, she was fortunate enough to receive her bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice, and International Political Economies and Diplomacy from the University of Bridgeport. She is currently employed as a legal assistant at a criminal defense law firm.

Adamaris has experienced firsthand the growth and transformation of the city. After interning for the Mayor’s Office in 2018, her understanding of the city deepened far beyond that of just being a resident. Adamaris aims to keep Central Falls moving forward economically and socially, all the while preserving and celebrating the rich culture and history already present in Central Falls. Adamaris is running to be a resource for all and to ensure that the children and families in her community are afforded the opportunities to achieve their dreams.

Zachary Colon
Warwick City Council, Ward 9

Zach has lived in Warwick his whole life. He has a deep love for the city and after attending Warwick Public Schools from K-12, he feels the need to be part of the transformation of the city’s schools so they can become the best they’ve been in decades.

In 2016, as a high school senior, Zach organized and led a walkout of over one hundred Toll Gate and Pilgrim students to protest the failure to adequately serve the needs of special education students. In April 2020, he suspended fundraising for his campaign to help organize a food drive for Westbay Community Action, where he collected over $1,700. With that money, we purchased over 1,400 food items for families in need.

Alexander Kithes
Woonsocket City Council at-large

Alex Kithes was born and raised in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, to a working-class family of Greek immigrants. He graduated from Woonsocket High School in 2010, Boston University with a bachelors in 2014, and Brown University with a masters in 2016. His work as an activist and organizer started in high school, fighting alongside his classmates and teachers against education cuts. Since then, he published a biweekly column in The Woonsocket Call newspaper on the climate, environment, and sustainable agriculture for over 5 years and worked toward community development in Woonsocket on the Autumnfest Committee and the Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative.

Over the past few years, he’s become deeply involved as a climate justice activist, fighting for state climate action and a Green New Deal with Sunrise RI and Climate Action RI (350 RI). And most recently, he ran for an open city council seat in a special election in 2019 and won. And he’s been fighting for the community and the future ever since. Alex loves Woonsocket, and believes in our people and potential for a bright, livable future. The city, state, country, and world are facing so many struggles, and we need champions at every level of government who are willing to try to change the course of history, work to improve the lives of marginalized people today, and fight for a more vibrant and livable future.

Brianna Henries
Rhode Island State House, District 64

Brianna Henries is a lifelong Rhode Islander and proud East Providence resident fighting for equity in the Ocean State. Running to represent a working-class district, Brianna’s campaign focuses on lifting people out of poverty, and ensuring that income doesn’t determine people’s basic human rights. Her background teaching theater and her thirteen years working in retail means Brianna knows the impact of a strong education, and that the minimum wage is far too low. In the General Assembly, Brianna looks to raise the minimum wage and change school funding so that zip codes don’t determine the quality of someone’s education. While working to lift families out of poverty, Brianna is fighting to ensure basic human rights are extended to all, regardless of income and background. That’s why Brianna is centering affordable and accessible healthcare and housing in her campaign. Having previously experienced homelessness, Brianna knows no one should be denied a home, and no one should be on their deathbed in debt.

Finally, as a young person Brianna is ready to fight for the future of the Ocean State by protecting it from the impending climate crisis. She is a proud supporter of the Green New Deal. Brianna lives in East Providence with her boyfriend and puppy and serves in ministry. Growing up, teachers always told Brianna that she was incredibly bright, but talked too much. She’s ready to bring her brains, passion, and gift of gab to the statehouse to put “the people” back in “We the People.”

Brandon Potter
Rhode Island State House, District 16

Brandon is running for State Representative because he believes we need a government that’s accountable to people, not corporate lobbyists and the well-connected. He advocates for getting the influence of big money out of politics, investing in renewable energy, and reforming our healthcare system to prioritize people’s health, instead of treating them like a business opportunity. Brandon lives in Cranston with his girlfriend Katie, whose dialysis treatment keeps healthcare at the forefront of Brandon’s plans for District 16.

Miguel Torres
Rhode Island State House, District 38

Miguel is a young democrat whose platform puts working families before special interests. He is the son of an immigrant, was raised by middle class parents and is working hard to put himself through school at the University of Rhode Island. Miguel is an organizer with the Sunrise Movement, a group of young people fighting to stop climate change and ensure a just transition for frontline communities. While working with Sunrise, he has seen how our government consistently puts the profits of big corporations before the people and places we hold dear. Some of the issues that he’s most passionate about are affordable housing, quality public education, a $15 minimum wage, and a Green New Deal for Rhode Island.

Jonathon Acosta
Rhode Island State Senate, District 16

Jonathon Acosta is a father, educator, Eagle Scout, youth wrestling coach, and doctoral student in sociology at Brown University. He was a middle school math teacher in Miami-Dade County, FL and Central Falls where he became an administrator. During his time in Central Falls, he earned an MA in Urban Education Policy at Brown and implemented a district-wide teacher evaluation program in cultural competence.

Jonathon is a member of the Juvenile Hearing Board and a City Councilman representing Ward 1 in Central Falls, where he has been a strong voice for responsible green city planning, transparency in governance, and affordable housing. His academic work is in political sociology, social stratification, segregation, race, class, and ethnicity.

Tiara Mack
Rhode Island State Senate, District 6

Tiara is a formerly low-income Black, queer, educator and activist. She is running to bring stories and experiences like hers to the state house. As an activist she will continue to fight and connect her policies to the real issues that create and maintain injustice. As a former math and sex educator, quality and inclusive education are at the core of her campaign and is the source of her passion for self-advocacy and activism. She understands that we need bold, visionary leaders that will think beyond what has been done and look to do and create innovative change in how society works for all, but in particular, the most oppressed currently through policy.

Vaughan Miller
Woonsocket City Council

Vaughan has been a resident of Woonsocket since his departure from the United States Navy. He is a veteran and an advocate for social, economic and racial justice. He is a supporter of the ACLU and a staunch advocate for civil rights.

Cynthia Mendes
Rhode Island State Senate, District 18

Cynthia Mendes is a single mother who works two jobs to make ends meet while using her remaining time to volunteer and serve the most vulnerable among us. For over fifteen years working in healthcare, she witnessed working families being left under-covered by health insurance industries. The cost of health care rises and wages stay low.

Friends in the community felt that they didn’t have a voice in the State House and asked Cynthia to run for office against the entitled establishment. With the climate crisis at hand, the need for Medicare for all and fair wages, she had to say yes! What drives her is the belief that those that are good enough to serve our community in their times of need, should also be the ones who represent them in seats of decision making. For too long the Rhode Island State House has made politics an insiders’ game. Cynthia’s race is not only an act of rebellion, but an act of reform!

Nicholas Delmenico
Rhode Island State House, District 27

In 2016, Nicholas Delmenico jumped head-first into Rhode Island politics when, at 32, he ran for State Representative. As the only primary challenger to the incumbent in the last 14 years, Nicholas lacked political experience, name recognition, and the backing of the state party machine. He earned 45% of the vote. This time we’ll win.

Both of Nicholas’ parents grew up in and still live in the district today. Growing up, Nicholas’ mother would raise him and his sister during the day before working long nights. Many families in our district share a similar story. It’s one of the many reasons why Nicholas is committed to building an economy for the middle class — not corporate interests. From a young age, Nicholas’ father taught him the value of a good education, hoping his son would have the chance to go to college — an opportunity he never had for himself. With encouragement from his father, Nicholas graduated with honors from Coventry High School and received a full scholarship to the University of Rhode Island.

Megan Cotter
Rhode Island State House, District 39

Megan is a life-long Rhode Islander. She grew up in Providence and attended Classical High School. Graduating from the University of Rhode Island with degrees in English, Classical Studies and Comparative Literature, Megan settled with her husband and family in Exeter. She is currently a sales director for a local seafood company. Megan is a coach for Exeter West Greenwich Youth Basketball, where she coaches boys and co-ed teams. She is also a member of Women in Seafood advocating for equal opportunities in her industry.

Jennifer Rourke
Rhode Island State Senate, District 29

Jennifer is an activist and leader who calls Warwick home. A mother to four children, she has been fighting to give a voice to the most marginalized communities for many years. Growing up in low-income housing and to teenage parents, she was taught to always fight for those that are often ignored. With her degree in Healthcare Management, she understands how the benefits of Medicare for All could help families like her own that have high premiums and struggle to pay medical bills. As a board member of many different organizations, Jennifer continues to amplify the needs of the people and not the corporations.

South Carolina

Ryan Arioli
South Carolina State House, District 47

Ryan was born in Lancaster, SC and raised in the small town of Heath Springs, SC. He attended and graduated from Andrew Jackson High School, a Title I school. He graduated from Winthrop University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science, where he majored in Chemistry with a minor in Political Science. He currently resides in York with his partner and their two dogs, River and Roger. He is a licensed South Carolina Realtor and a Homes For Heroes affiliate. He is also currently serving as the President of The River Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to empowering emerging leaders in education. Ryan’s top reason for running for the South Carolina State House is education. South Carolina ranks 43rd in Education in the U.S. Ryan is running to ensure that our schools receive the funding they need to provide every student in the state with a quality education, and to ensure that our educators receive the pay and funding they need and deserve.

South Dakota

Louise Snodgrass
South Dakota State House, District 7

Louise Snodgrass is a home-grown South Dakotan dedicated to public service and advocacy. Her conservation and disaster-recovery work with AmeriCorps taught her about community resilience and how to intersect her passions with meaningful change. Louise manages the Brookings Farmers Market, serves as the board president of the Dakota Community Market Food Co-op, and operates an agri-tourism farm. She spearheads community-led initiatives such as Brookings’ first Pride Festival and community trash clean-ups. The Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce has selected Louise to participate in their 2020 leadership course.

As a working-class farmer, Louise shares many of the same needs her neighbors face. She hopes to create legislation that works for everyone, regardless of their background and economic class. Her commitment to everyday South Dakotans includes striving for economic justice, sustainable agriculture practices, and upholding and protecting human rights so that everyone feels proud to call this state their home.

Erin Royer
South Dakota State House, District 12

Erin is a genetic counselor in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She is running for the District 12 seat in the SD House of Representatives. Her main areas of focus are education, rights, economic growth, healthcare, and the environment. She will work hard for, and with, the people of district 12 and South Dakota to bring kindness and practicality to the state legislature.

Tennessee

April Ghueder
Shelby County Board of Education, District 5

April is a champion for youth empowerment, civic engagement, and educational equity. She is a Memphis native, a two-time graduate of Christian Brothers University, having been awarded with a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Education. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is active in her church and community and takes delight in spending time with her husband, Adam, and her friends and family members. Throughout her undergraduate, graduate, and professional career, she has demonstrated a long- standing commitment to the advancement of education. April has served and advocated for the educational needs of our community’s children for the past 10 years as a teacher, tutor, and volunteer at various schools in Shelby County. She also served on the NAACP Youth Council as a high school student.

Sheleah Harris
Shelby County School Board, District 5

Sheleah Harris is an active candidate running for Shelby County School Board District 5 in Memphis, Tennessee. With more than 10 years of experience, Sheleah Harris has a professional background in secondary education, local government affairs, community engagement, and marketing. Fueled by her strong desire to restructure broken images of youth in our society, she has consistently aligned herself with opportunities to implement strategies for academic, social, and economic success for others. Sheleah is driven to improve equity and access for all students in Shelby County. She is a servant leader who has been relentless in her pursuit to create environments that cultivate an attitude of excellence within communities and neighborhoods throughout Shelby County.

She is the founder and executive director of Living Grace, Inc. a non-profit organization that advocates and serves youth identified as homeless in Memphis. In addition, Sheleah also works as a manager of State and Local Government Affairs for a Fortune 500 company. In her role, she listens, learns and leads in the charge for innovation by collaborating with community stakeholders and legislatures to drive equity and access throughout the city.

Texas

David Chincanchan
Austin City Council, District 2

David is a community advocate, organizer, and public servant raised in Southeast Austin. As the son of immigrants and a first generation college graduate, he is running for Austin City Council, District 2 to empower families in his community.He advocates for workers’ rights as a board member of his union, AFSCME #1624, and works to improve representation of the Latinx community as the Hispanic Caucus’ representative on the Executive Committee of the Texas Democratic Party.

Natalia Cornelio
Judge Harris County, 351st District Court

Natalia “Nata” is a civil rights attorney and former public defender running for Criminal District Judge in Harris County, Texas. Nata has dedicated her career to ensuring that all communities receive equal justice by fighting for bail reform and against the criminalization of poverty, by representing families forcibly separated at the U.S.-Mexico border, and by challenging racism in the justice system. She has litigated, made policy, and advocated for justice system improvements in local and national media.

Jasmine Crockett
Texas State House, District 100

Jasmine is running for the Texas House of Representatives because as she fought in the courtroom and advocated for the classroom, she grew frustrated with the pervasive inequality, the cyclical and systemic poverty, and the intentional disenfranchisement of her clients, constituents, and community. Her determination to run for office is born out of the fire of frustration and the resolve to restore authentic, bold, and homegrown leadership to our elected offices and combat the deficit of equity. As a civil rights and criminal defense attorney, she has seen firsthand the potential for harm our laws and lawmakers have. Conversely, she also knows the capacity for good through policy and legislation.

Vermont

Taylor Small
Vermont State House, Chittenden 6–7

Taylor is excited to be a candidate for the Vermont House of Representatives for the Chittenden 6–7 district. She currently serves as the Director of the Health & Wellness program at Pride Center of Vermont, a statewide non-profit organization serving the needs of LGBTQ+ Vermonters. Prior to her role at Pride Center of Vermont, she worked in mental health services at Howard Center and Northwestern Counseling and Support Services, and supported homeless and runaway youth at Spectrum Youth and Family Services. She has also served on the Board of Directors for Outright Vermont, a statewide non-profit that works to build safe, healthy, and supportive environments for LGBTQ+ youth and their families. She has been a strong advocate for marginalized Vermonters in both her professional and personal lives, and is motivated to now bring this work into a legislative arena where the change affected can be even more impactful. She knows and understands that by creating systems to support the communities among us who face the greatest obstacles and needs, we will find ourselves truly uplifting all Vermonters.

Virginia

Alexsis Rodgers
Mayor of Richmond, VA

Alexsis Rodgers is a civic leader, organizer, policy director and champion for proactive and progressive leadership. She currently is the Virginia state director for Care in Action, the policy and advocacy home for two million women domestic workers, and is the former president of the Virginia Young Democrats. For the past eight years, Rodgers has been on the front lines advocating for economic security, voting rights, college affordability and quality health care; playing a key role in achieving Medicaid expansion and increasing birth control access during her time at Planned Parenthood in Richmond. Rodgers is a VCU grad and avid Rams basketball fan.

West Virginia

Theresa “Tess” Jackson
West Virginia State House, District 15

Tess is an educator running for the West Virginia House of Delegates. Tess was a leader in the 2018 and 2018 teacher strikes. These moments of collective activism inspired her to run for office. When faced with a choice between leaving her state for a better life and fighting to change it, she chose to fight. She is focused on securing adequate funding for public schools and access to healthcare for all.

Wisconsin

Kristina Shelton
Wisconsin State Assembly, District 90

Kristina began her career as a teacher, with extensive experience in health and physical education at both the K-12 and higher education levels. With a Master’s degree in Health Promotion Management, Kristina shifted her professional work toward a focus in non-profit leadership. Today, she is putting her experience and passion to work serving the diverse needs of the community in her role as vice president of the Green Bay School Board.

Izzy Hassey Nevarez
Wisconsin State Assembly, District 39

Izzy is a first-generation American, Spanish speaker, living in rural Wisconsin with his Husband John. He is running for State Assembly in Wisconsin’s very red and gerrymandered 39th District. Izzy has always been passionate about helping local families with important basic necessities, dedicating his time by volunteering with organizations that directly impact the people who need help the most. His commitment to helping others is why he is running for public office for the very first time. On a broader scale, he is hoping to reach people from one end of the district to the other. Izzy is bringing his platform with his progressive beliefs right to the heart of it all to enact common sense policies. He believes that local politicians should focus on the local issues on which they can have an impact, rather than getting wrapped up in national issues that can only be decided in Washington. The biggest issues in Wisconsin right now are Medicaid expansion and public schools funding. His goal on Medicaid expansion is to reverse the decision that was made to deny resources to thousands of people and to bring back those federal tax dollars back into the state. When it comes to public schools, he believes that the current school funding scheme is unfair. He is in favor of dedicating public funds back to public schools where they belong. Izzy wants to make a difference for the people in the community because he believes that no one should be left behind.

Francesca Hong
Wisconsin State Assembly, District 76

Francesca is a daughter of immigrants, a mother, and a small-business owner. Her career, which stems from working as a server and dishwasher to executive chef and restaurant owner has made her an advocate and mentor of female and nonbinary culinary professionals. She is a proven leader who’s made a difference in her community through empowering others. Her running for office was a call to action as she struggled alongside her community and the pandemic unleashed fear and injustices in her city, but also an opportunity to make sure things don’t go back to the way they were. She understands how economic inequities and systemic racism has led to many of the problems facing too many Wisconsinites today. As a restaurant owner directly affected by COVID-19, she will fight for policies to promote safe, worker empowered economic recovery and address the failing economic structures exposed by the pandemic. She will also advocate for racial equity and criminal justice reform, well-funded public education, affordable housing, climate justice accessible healthcare, and stronger labor rights.

Wyoming

Amy Spieker
Wyoming State House, District 11

Amy is a public health practitioner who believes in the transformative power of her profession. She recognizes that public health values are not represented in the Wyoming State Legislature and believes adding her perspective will create unique value for Wyomingites. As the daughter of a Navy doctor and dedicated PTA President, Amy saw what it meant to live community values, no matter what community her family landed in. After having lived in Cheyenne, Wyoming longer than any other place in her life, Amy has put down roots in her community and wants to help it grow. Much as Amy has helped improve the health of Laramie County citizens through her role as Director of Community Health and Analysis for the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, Amy has the coalition-building skills to improve people’s health and lives all across Wyoming.