Rooted in Tacoma, Raised by Hard Work
I was born and raised in South Tacoma, a proud product of a working-class family. My dad was a truck driver, a member of Teamsters Local 313, who made the decision to stop long-haul driving when I was born to work locally and provide a more stable home life. He used the money from selling his truck to buy the house I grew up in—a home that symbolized stability and opportunity. My mom worked in retail, primarily as a pawnbroker, spending long hours behind the counter of small businesses. Together, my parents did everything they could to make sure my brother and I had what we needed.
But life was not easy. When I was in fourth grade, everything changed. My mom was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and from that moment on, our lives revolved around hospitals, treatments, and uncertainty. She was in and out of the hospital for much of my childhood, battling not just cancer but also the complications that came with it. I spent countless hours by her side in hospital rooms, learning at an early age just how fragile life can be. Watching her fight every day, even as her health failed, left a lasting impact on me. My mom did everything she could for our family, despite her illness. My dad worked tirelessly to keep us afloat. They both sacrificed so much to give us a stable life, even when stability felt impossible.
As money became tighter, I quickly learned not to ask my parents for anything extra—they simply didn’t have it to give. The basics were covered, but anything beyond that felt like a burden I didn’t want to place on them. So as soon as I turned 16, I got my first job as a courtesy clerk at the 30th Street Safeway. I bagged groceries, mopped floors, and cleaned bathrooms—not because I had to, but because I wanted to stand on my own and not have to rely on my parents for things they couldn’t afford. That job, and the people I worked with, taught me the value of hard work, responsibility, and the quiet pride that comes from earning your own way.
The Power of Opportunity and Education
Despite the challenges at home, my parents always emphasized the importance of education. Neither of them graduated from college—my dad barely finished high school—but they saw education as my way forward. The only college graduates I knew were my teachers. They were the ones I looked up to, the ones who encouraged me, and the ones who helped me through the difficult moments in my childhood. They were the people who believed in me and showed me what was possible.
Because of the generosity of this community, I was able to attend college. Scholarships from the Gates Foundation, the Washington Cheever Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club, the Elks Club, and other local organizations made it possible for me to attend the University of Puget Sound. These groups invested in me, and because of them, I was able to pursue an education—something that wasn’t guaranteed in my family.
When it came time to choose a career, the choice was obvious. I became a teacher because teachers had shaped my life in ways I could never repay. I knew firsthand the power that a dedicated educator could have in a young person’s life. So I dedicated my career to education, working as a high school history teacher and later as an instructional facilitator for Tacoma Public Schools. Teaching wasn’t just a job—it was a calling. It was my way of giving back to the community that had given so much to me.
A Commitment to Service
While I was dedicating myself to my students, I was also facing one of the hardest times of my life. By the time I was 24, both of my parents had passed away, just six months apart. My brother and I were left with a house we couldn’t afford, stacks of medical bills, and the overwhelming weight of trying to figure out what came next. Those years were some of the most challenging of my life. We struggled to keep the home, to make ends meet, and to find a way forward.
That experience shaped me in ways I am still coming to understand. I know what it’s like to be buried under bills, to feel like you’re drowning in financial insecurity, to make hard choices about what you can and can’t afford. Even now, when my situation has changed, those years are still with me. I still hesitate before spending money, still instinctively look for the cheapest option, still carry the lessons of what it means to have nothing left after the bills are paid.
But through it all, I remained committed to service. I met Kelsey during that time, and together we built a life, rooted in Tacoma, dedicated to making our city better. And as I continued my work in education, I started to feel the pull to do more—to serve my city in a different way.
Stepping Into Leadership
I never saw myself as a politician, but I always believed in the power of public service and the strength of a community that takes care of its own. I believe in the idea of thinking globally and acting locally—that real change starts with leaders who are committed to service and who work every day to make life better for their neighbors. That’s what led me to public office.
In 2015, I ran for Tacoma City Council and lost. But instead of walking away, I dug in deeper. I joined the Tacoma Public Library Board of Trustees, served on the YWCA Board, and stayed involved in civic life. When I ran again in 2019, I won, and since then, I’ve dedicated myself to the issues that matter most—housing, public safety, economic opportunity, and ensuring that Tacoma remains a city where working people can build a future.
I’ve fought to expand affordable housing, to improve public safety, and to make sure city government works for the people it serves. I’ve worked to clean up our streets, invest in our infrastructure, and make Tacoma a place where small businesses can thrive. And now, I’m running for mayor because I believe Tacoma’s best days are ahead of us—but only if we have the leadership to make it happen.
