Why are you running for office?
I have dedicated my life to serving our community, and this campaign is the most meaningful way for me to continue that mission. Through my work in the nonprofit sector, I have seen firsthand the challenges our neighbors face and the urgent need for strong, authentic leadership, especially Hispanic leadership that truly represents our families in Tallahassee. The people of District 64 are facing the same struggles I face: paying off student loans, searching for jobs that offer a living wage, stretching every dollar at the grocery store, and making painful choices like whether to pay the electric bill or the rent each month. Too many representatives in Tallahassee have grown disconnected from these everyday realities. We need leaders who understand these struggles because they have lived them, leaders who will fight for working families and stand up for the people they represent. I am ready to be that voice and that advocate for our community.
What is your top priority on day 1?
We must take action on the issues Floridians care about, and at the top of that list is the insurance crisis. Year after year, legislative sessions pass without meaningful solutions, and we continue to fail the Floridians who are impacted every day by rising costs, shrinking options, and a government that shows little concern for their financial stability or their path to homeownership.
Other than your day 1 priority, what keeps you up at night?
When I walk through my district and see blue tarps still covering roofs and families still living with hurricane damage more than a year later, it keeps me up at night, and it frustrates me. Government is supposed to step up for people, especially when they are at their lowest. The lack of concern for families, homeowners and businesses who have been ignored while Tallahassee argues over flag bans should frustrate all of us. We are ranked at the bottom in education and healthcare, and the cost of basic necessities continues to skyrocket, yet we stay distracted by culture wars. This is not sustainable for any government, and we need leaders who will focus on the real challenges facing working class people.
What’s something you’ve heard from residents that really stuck with you?
The number one thing I hear from residents is that we need a generational change in leadership, one that brings fresh ideas and new energy into government. Our communities are hurting, and too often they feel ignored. I understand that feeling because I share it. People tell me they want hope, not the same recycled candidates and empty promises. It is time to acknowledge that leadership must be passed on to a new generation, and that we should also mentor and support the generations coming after us so they can step up as well. We constantly ask young people to get involved, yet when they do, we often fail to clear a path for them. Our hope lies in the energy and passion of the generations that follow us, and I hear that clearly in the conversations I have every day.
For the seat you’re seeking, what is something you wish government did more of?
In my district, the person who held this seat was always highly engaged in the community, and I will continue that level of involvement. Unfortunately, we do not always see that same commitment from others in similar positions. We should be proud to represent our districts, proud to show up in our neighborhoods, and proud to demonstrate that we are fighting for the people who live there. We should be so present and involved that our communities know us the moment we walk in. Being a good representative is not just about getting elected. It is about listening to everyone we serve and working to ensure they can build better lives, with good paying jobs, the ability to raise families, and the opportunity to buy a home in a safe neighborhood. I want to see representatives become so deeply rooted in their communities that they truly embody the spirit and identity of the people they serve.
For the seat you’re seeking, what is something you wish government did less of?
I wish government did less of ignoring the real day to day struggles that families face. Too often, our leaders spend time on culture battles and symbolic fights that do nothing to help people who are worried about their housing, their insurance, and their future. We should always put the real needs of working families before political games.
How will you measure your success?
I will measure success by the strength of our community involvement and by how deeply we stay connected to the people we serve. Success will not only be about passing legislation, but about improving lives and building trust with residents who feel ignored. In just the first few weeks of launching this campaign, we have already received hundreds of small dollar donations from families, neighbors, and community members who believe in what we are doing. That support shows that people are ready for real representation, and continued community engagement and grassroots support will be some of the clearest measurements of whether we are truly meeting the needs of District 64.
How do you recharge when you're not campaigning or working?
Anyone who has worked in politics knows how completely it can consume your life. Even when you try to take a break, it is always waiting right around the corner, and in a way that constant momentum is part of what keeps you going. Because of that, my downtime is simple. When I get the chance, I like to sit in a dark, quiet room and do absolutely nothing, and I love making dinner for my family. I am away so many days of the year that when we finally get a moment of peace, I make the most of it.