Why me?
I'll get straight to the point. I'm a husband and father in an interracial, blended family. I've lived under the poverty line and also in the disappearing "middle class". I am one of those terrible, bleeding-heart liberals with a progressive agenda. 😉 And, what sets me apart is, I have clear and specific legislation in mind for my term as City Councillor.
My Plan
I believe candidates should be defined, first, by who they are and, secondly, by what they will do. I have been clear from the beginning: I plan to hit the ground running, writing and championing legislation for several key issues.
Social Justice
Affordability doesn't mean much if it isn't evenly applied. First, and foremost, we need to address inequalities in our great city. I plan to bring legislation on:
- A citizen-ran body to investigate Denver Police misconduct
- Large expansion of the STAR program
- Alternative sentencing for non-violent offenses
- Alternatives to fees for civil and traffic citations
- Ending unhoused encampment sweeps
- Eliminating warrantless AI surveillance of all Denver drivers
- Banning new data centers built in Denver
Affordability
It's easy to dream about a better future when rent is paid, food is in the fridge, and your car has gas in the tank. If we want to live in the city of our dreams, we have to be able to afford it. I will bring legislation for:
- Expanded universal Pre-K
- Publicly owned utilities
- New affordable housing requirements for developers
- A tax on vacant rental units
- Expanded multi-unit residential zoning
- Food forests and gardens in all of our parks
- Improvement of RTD reliability
- A requirement of out-of-state companies moving in to hire a portion of their workforce from locals
You can read more about my plans here.
My Background
I'm no stranger to poverty.
I grew up on a rural farm. We ate what we grew. We went to clothing swaps. We patched those same clothes when they wore holes. And Wendy's was fine dining to us. I wouldn't trade that childhood for anything. Since growing up, I've experienced the thick and the thin, from living out of my car and eating ice to feel full to owning my own home. Your city leadership should know what it's like to be on both sides of the poverty line.
I'm a jack of all trades. Literally.
From managing a fast food chain, to working in finance, to cleaning restaurants overnight, to making local TV commercials, to electrician work, to driving schoolbuses, to working in tech, it sometimes feels like there's not a job I haven't done, yet. Who better to represent you than someone who's been in the trenches with you?
I'm a community organizer.
I've been the head cook for a charity kitchen, started a mutual aid and political action group, served on the board of a non-profit providing food security to those in need during COVID, organized concerts, advocated for local filmmaking, been on the board of a committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, and spoke at local meetups across the state. I am also proud to serve as the Lay Leader at Cameron United Methodist Church on Pearl Street, a progressive church with a Black Lives Matter flag flying inside, a black and openly gay pastor, and a congregation whose lifeblood is social justice. Serving on City Council will be the culmination of my endeavours, and the best way I can continue to advocate for Denver.
Endorsements
“What a liberal snowflake, sore loser.” – Someone on Facebook
“Will that be all, ma'am?” – At the drive-thru
“Please I really think you need to read the Bible again... Please get right with God. I worry about you.” – My well-meaning Aunt