Why are you running for office?
Because so many of the friends and allies I have made over the years, engaging in participatory democracy, have urged me to do so. Just as we citizens have a responsibility to engage in our political system, our elected leaders have a responsibility to serve all of the people, which is simply not happening here in Pinellas County. I've seen firsthand how thoughtful legislation can change lives for the better, and I want to bring my experience as educator to Congress to advocate for policies that truly help working families.
What is your top priority on day 1?
Share my vision for how I will regularly seek feedback from my constituents On day one in Congress, my priorities are the same as they’ve been throughout my entire career as an educator: listening, building trust, and doing the hard work to help people thrive. For 29 years, I taught students that democracy isn’t something we watch happen—it’s something we actively participate in. So the very first thing I’ll do is make sure our community has a true seat at the table. That means opening every line of communication, setting up a responsive district office, and ensuring that families, seniors, veterans, and small-business owners can get help from their government quickly and respectfully. Next, I’ll get to work on the issues I’ve seen affect our community most: protecting our public schools, defending access to affordable healthcare, and making sure working families aren’t left behind. I’ve spent a lifetime preparing young people for the world; now I intend to help build a world worthy of them. And let me be clear—while I will always lead with empathy, I’m not afraid to be firm when it comes to doing what’s right. Whether it’s safeguarding our democracy, protecting fundamental rights, or standing up for honesty and fairness in government. Our community deserves a representative who shows up prepared, principled, and grounded in real-world experience. That’s exactly what I’ll bring with me on day one.
Other than your day 1 priority, what keeps you up at night?
The damage already done to so many of our institutions and peoples’ lack of faith in them I lie awake thinking about how hard families are working, and how much harder it’s becoming for them to simply get ahead. I think about the teachers like me trying to do more with less, the seniors budgeting their medications down to the pill, and the young people who look at the future and feel more anxiety than excitement. What weighs on me most is the thought of what happens if we don’t act with urgency. If we let cynicism take the place of hope. If we allow our democracy to weaken because too many people felt unheard or unseen. We must restore the damage already done to so many of our institutions and restore people’s faith in them.
What’s something you’ve heard from residents that really stuck with you?
Residents I’ve encountered have talked about the balancing act of trying to stretch a paycheck across groceries, rent, gas, childcare, and the unexpected things life always throws at you. So many feel they can never get ahead. The reality that so many feel that they can never get ahead compels me to act on behalf of every family.
For the seat you’re seeking, what is something you wish government did more of?
Actively, regularly seek feedback from our citizens. As an educator, I know listening is the foundation of good leadership. Right now, too many voices—especially working families—go unheard. I’m committed to regularly listening to our community and seeking feedback from every corner of the district, regardless of party.
For the seat you’re seeking, what is something you wish government did less of?
Speak about “the government” as if it were separate from we, the People, who are in fact “the government”. One of the biggest challenges we face today is the way people talk about ‘the government’ as if it’s some distant machine operated by strangers behind closed doors. But that’s not what our founders intended, and it’s not what our democracy requires. The truth is simple: the government is us. We, the People. It’s our neighbors, our teachers, our veterans, our young people stepping into public service. When we talk about government as something separate, we unintentionally give away our own power — the power that belongs to every person in this country. Democracy only works when we stay connected to it. When we show up, speak up, and hold our leaders accountable.
How will you measure your success?
I will measure success the same way I did as an educator: by whether people’s lives actually improve and they feel hopeful for the future of their families and communities. If someone calls our district office and gets help instead of a runaround… that’s success. If the policies I support make healthcare more stable, communities safer, and opportunities more accessible… that’s success. I’ll also look at whether trust is being rebuilt. Do people feel heard? Do they feel represented? Are we communicating openly, even when we disagree? Democracy depends on that. And finally, I’ll measure success by accountability — my own. Am I showing up in the community? Am I listening more than I speak? Am I staying grounded in the experiences of the people I serve, not the noise of Washington?
How do you recharge when you're not campaigning or working?
A combination of family time, rock climbing, meditation and gardening. When I’m back home, the best thing I can do for is to recharge in ways that keep me balanced and fully human. For me, that starts with family, which is where I feel most rooted. I also make time for rock climbing, where every movement teaches patience, problem-solving, and trust — the same qualities I rely on every day in public service. Meditation is another anchor. My fifteen minutes of morning meditation provides calm, clarity and balance. It keeps me grounded, centered, and able to respond with intention rather than reaction. And then there’s the garden. There’s something deeply calming about being among the plants and trees we have guided and cultivated. Gardening reminds me that progress — the real kind — takes time, care, and consistency. Together, these moments bring me back to myself. They help me show up refreshed, steady, and ready to do the job with the focus and compassion people deserve.”