WHY I’M RUNNING AS AN INDEPENDENT

Running for office opened my eyes to just how wide and deep the corruption is within our government. It begins with who is allowed to donate to candidates, campaigns, party committees, and Political Action Committees (PACs) and how much they are allowed to donate. The two major parties then start fighting each other for power and control over legislation; the more they pass laws that favor their corporate donors, the more those corporations donate. It branches out from there to the parties selecting which candidates get on the ballot; they support those whom they can manipulate or intimidate to unquestioningly do their bidding and secretly and underhandedly sabotage the others. It doesn’t end with candidacy; if those who are elected don’t vote party line, the established leaders remove them from committees so they can’t vote on whether to send legislation to the floor for a vote. Thus, the duopoly (two-party system) undermines and suppresses the will of the people.

I put People Over Party. I am running for those who are tired of voting for one or the other major party, for those who have lost faith in and respect for both major parties, for those who quit voting because they haven’t had a third choice on their ballot, and I am running for you. I am running to give you the opportunity to vote for the change you’ve been asking for. I am running to represent all the people of Virginia’s House District 50. As an Independent, I am not beholden to any party. Because I don’t accept corporate business donations, I am not beholden to any corporation.

MY BACKGROUND

I grew up in a working-class family and attended public schools. My dad served in the Navy during the Korean War. My mom’s dad and brothers spent time in a concentration camp during WWII.

I served in the U.S. Air Force for four years and worked as a Legal Services Specialist. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice from Longwood College (now University) and graduated magna cum laude. I also earned a Certificate in Social Policy Administration from Longwood.

Use of military rank, titles, or photographs in uniform do not imply endorsement by the Department of the U.S. Air Force or the Department of Defense.