Campaign website
What is one life experience you have that voters should know about?
I have firsthand experiences of many of the various issues that are impacting our communities - survivor of gun violence, housing insecurity, living in poverty. However, I was able to use those hardships as learning moments in order to improve my life for the better and be a voice for those often overlooked. Some statistics may show that I am not supposed to be here today. But, I am! I am here making a difference, ready and willing to do what is needed to bring about change to improve the lives of the everyday people in the place that is home. When I first became an elected, serving as State Representative, I stood in the State Capitol on the House floor in tears. I stood there as a testimony and living proof that we are not defined by our mistakes, trauma that we experienced, or flaws. If you are willing to put in the work to better your outcomes and break cycles, it is all possible.
What would be your top three policy priorities in office?
1. Public Safety + Gun Violence
My number one priority is keeping Philadelphians SAFE. If we don’t confront the rampant gun violence and violent crime plaguing our city, we cannot expect our city and those who live and do business here to succeed and thrive in a state of lawlessness. In order to keep our communities safe, it is going to take a multi-effort approach that focuses on prevention, community investment, and accountability.
2. Economy + Jobs
Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. And, we should be doing all that we can to support them as they are often grounded in community - employing our neighbors, family members, and friends. We have to build our economy back and make it stronger than it was before the pandemic.
3. Housing: As the city grows, it is inevitable for development to take place. However, with development, it is important to make sure that communities are not displaced. The cost of living increases while pay is not necessarily increasing. We need real plans and real solutions, which include public-private partnerships. We could be using private funds to build mixed-income housing, incentivizing developers to build affordable housing.
What sets you apart from other candidates?
I am wiling to do what is needed to tackle the issues that are plaguing our city. In my time as State Representative, I showed and continue to show that I am willing to go against the grain and make tough decisions if it means that it will improve lives. I always move in the best interest of the people and not to uplift my own agenda or agenda of others. We need leadership that is willing to make a tough stand when needed to move the city forward. And, I am that person.
How do you plan to work across ideological lines to achieve shared goals?
There is a great amount of division in the city. And, we need to break that disconnect in order to move the city forward. We do not have to all be friends; but, we must find common ground in order to be of the best service possible to constituents. I will work with my team to bring people together, putting our differences aside and focusing on real issues and tangible solutions. I will convene regularly scheduled meetings with city leaders and departments to ensure that everyone is aligned and that we are looking for ways to improve our efforts as a collective. I will also create spaces where we receive feedback and input from the community to ensure that the voices of the everyday person is incorporated in our decision making process - the people are the priority and we are elected to serve them.
The Committee of Seventy has partnered with the Carter Center to promote the Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections to improve the voting process, encourage honest leadership, and promote civic engagement. Do you support the Candidate Principles?
Yes
