Why are you running?

Like many of us, I am scared for our country. The Democratic establishment has not been effective enough at stopping Trump and his rising authoritarian movement, and sending the same people back to Congress will not lead to different results.

Our party needs to change its approach, and that starts by sending new voices to Congress. We cannot afford to wait another two years or more to make that change, because the status quo has not been working.

Why not run for state or local office first?

Our country is in great danger at this moment, and to beat back Trump and his authoritarian movement our party as a whole must change to become more effective. We need Democrats in Congress who are more relatable and persuasive in advocating for our values, and who will take a different approach. There is an undeniable urgency and danger to this moment that calls for new voices in Congress.

Setting aside the urgency of the current moment, I would love to run for the Virginia General Assembly! However, the General Assembly meets for one to two months per year. While in session, it is a full-time job to be a legislator. Like most people, I simply can’t take one to two months of PTO from my current full-time job every year.

Unfortunately, the General Assembly’s schedule keeps the vast majority of people from being able to serve. Instead, it means most of those who serve are already retired, independently wealthy, or work in fields like law or real estate where their schedules can flex around the legislative session.

Running for county board is certainly an option. However, our country is in danger at this moment. I am running for Congress because that is the most important level at which Democrats need to fight back against Trump, and I deeply believe we cannot wait another two years or more to change who we send to Congress.

Have you held public office before?

No, I haven’t. Prior service in public office is certainly one metric by which to judge a candidate. However, I believe what voters should want in a candidate, and what they deserve, is a good leader.

A good leader is someone who cares about this community. I care about this community, and I am rooted in it. I sing in a local community choir, which is one of my greatest joys. Choir members come from all different backgrounds, and some have been singing with the choir since before I was born. We collaborate with other local musical groups, as well as nonprofit organizations with missions that support the community. I am also a trained CASA volunteer. In this role, I am assigned by a county judge to advocate for the best interests of children who become involved in the legal system.

A good leader is someone with demonstrated leadership experience. I serve on Arlington's Energy Committee, which advises the county on how to become more sustainable. I have completed training through the Leadership Center of Arlington. Before aging out of the organization, I also served on the board of directors for Arlington Young Democrats. I am president of my condo board and also serve on the board of directors for my local community choir.

A good leader is someone who inspires you. I believe you deserve to be represented by someone whose ideas and vision you find inspiring, and someone who can effectively communicate those things.

A good leader is someone who will work incredibly hard. I serve on two boards and a county committee, in addition to other volunteer work. These roles are all unpaid and they require a lot of work, but I seek them out because I care about this community and I believe in service.

I certainly see the value in running for lower-level office before running for higher office. However, the threat Trump poses to our country and democracy is urgent, and I deeply believe we as Democrats need to change our approach. That starts with changing who represents us in Congress.

What part of the incumbent’s voting record do you disagree with?

There are areas where I believe the incumbent has not done enough. E.g., on housing affordability and on primary reform. However, broadly speaking, he votes in a way that aligns with my progressive values. So why would I run against him?

We are lucky to live in a deep blue district, and having someone whose voting record reflects progressive values is the bare minimum we should expect.

Being an effective member of Congress is much bigger than one’s voting record. And the problems we face are much bigger than, and do not stem from, voting record. We as Democrats need to change our messaging and broaden our appeal in order to win more elections. That requires changing who represents us in Congress.