Candidate Statement:

My experience in politics began from my humble beginning in South Sacramento. From a young age, I could see that the way to empower my community and improve their socioeconomic conditions was to become politically active. A few years after the 2000 election, I came to realize that people such as me must step out of our comfort zones and fulfill our civic duty by participating in the campaign trail. Little by little, I began volunteering for local campaigns. I learned how to phone bank and precinct walk. Volunteering in local elections is truly fruitful and important. As they say, "you must fight them locally to beat them globally."

In my second semester at Sacramento City College, I took an extra credit opportunity to attend a weekend- long campaign training seminar that was put forth by the Sacramento Labor Union. This campaign training seminar was intended for local politicians and campaign endorsees to become more effective in winning campaigns. I happened to be the only student there.

That first day I received fourteen job and internship opportunities. But no offer was as enticing as the one I received from a gentleman named Warren G. Harding. We were engaged in a conversation about my future possibility of managing his Sacramento County Board of Supervisor, which I enthusiastically accepted. Warren and I began to strategize, organize our issues, and created an impressive list of campaign donors.

We attended a Sacramento Democratic Central Committee meeting at the State Capitol and I declared his candidacy. The crowd went wild, for Warren is a loved and endeared community organizer and Park's Director for over thirty years. Soon after our announcement, interest for the campaign grew and we were able to put together an impressive and diverse steering committee.

This steering committee was made up of the most humble, kind, intelligent minds that Sacramento has to offer. Although, our campaign lost by four percentage points, I am proud to have been campaign manager for Warren. Our opponent was the incumbent and had campaign funds that beat ours five to one. I met and interacted with our local politicians, advisors, and volunteers that gave the campaign their all. I am indebted to Warren and his loving family for giving me the first real opportunity to showcase my political experience. I believe his hard fought campaign is the first step to something greater for Sacramento and Assembly District 9.

As an assembly delegate, I hope to bring a more progressive view to the convention and to the party. The progressive movement has been underrepresented by our current delegates. I hope to give voice to those that feel that they are not being heard. I bring a fresh face, new ideas, and help our party to bring the type of change that President-elect Obama has been talking about. I ask for your support to be assembly delegate in AD 9.