I am humbled and honored to have represented Assembly District 9 in Southwest Las Vegas since 2016. I will be running for re-election in 2022. Thank you all for all of your past and future support.
A little bit about me: I am the middle of three boys. My parents instilled a strong work ethic in me, always emphasizing the value of education and hard work as the pathway to success, a philosophy I continue to believe in to this day. My mother taught me to respect others and she taught me the value of empathy and generosity. She was always willing to give to others even when it meant depriving herself. Although we didn't have a lot growing up, we always had enough to share with others who needed help.
I attended public high school and also worked throughout high school. My first job was at a greenhouse doing manual labor. That was followed by stints at fast food establishments and as a busboy/server at a local restaurant. I understand what it means to work hard and the value of a hard-earned dollar.
After high school, I enrolled at the University of Michigan, where I discovered a passion for serving the community, dedicated as much time to volunteering both on and off campus. I continued to work to help cover the cost of college. After graduation from the University of Michigan, I continued my education at Cornell Law School.
Though I was fortunate to receive partial scholarships for my education, I financed the remaining costs myself, working as much as I could and taking out student loans to make up the difference. As a result, I appreciate the cost of higher education and the financial sacrifice that it imposes both on students and their families. I also appreciate that prospective students need to be assured that their significant financial sacrifice will result in employment opportunities worthy of the investment.
I feel very fortunate for the opportunities I have had in life and I have made it my life's mission to give back. From 2009 to 2017, I was employed as a Public Defender at the Clark County Public Defender's Office, serving the most needy in the community and ensuring that every Nevadan received the due process guaranteed by both the Nevada and United States Constitutions. My work enlightened me about the lack of services and assistance for the seriously mentally ill and for many other Nevadans who are often forgotten or ignored. We must do more as a community for those who need help the most. Many of the drivers of criminal activity can be eliminated with appropriate social services.
During both the 2013 and 2015 Nevada legislative sessions, I served as an advocate for Clark County and the Public Defender's Office. In that role, I gained valuable experience, learning the legislative process firsthand and participating in the drafting of legislation and the presentation of bills and amendments. Those experiences taught me the importance of working together to find real world solutions to help struggling Nevadans.
Since first being elected in 2016, I have worked hard on your behalf to build a Nevada that works for everyone, not just the wealthy. That has included supporting common sense policies like paid sick leave and increasing the minimum wage. I have made it a priority to make it easier to vote, to combat climate change, to protect a women's right to choose, and to build our clean energy economy. I have also worked to make the outdoors accessible to all Nevadans and to enact common sense, smart on crime criminal justice policies. More recently, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I have worked to ensure that all Nevadans have access to quality healthcare and to ensure the survival of our vital small businesses.
Although we have made great strides, there is still work to do. I am committed to continuing to work with Democrats and Republicans alike to find common ground and build consensus around policies that move Nevada forward. If re-elected, I will continue to work as hard as I can to build a better Nevada, not just for us, but for future generations to come.
I greatly appreciate your support and interest in my campaign and I would love to hear from you about your priorities.
A little bit about me: I am the middle of three boys. My parents instilled a strong work ethic in me, always emphasizing the value of education and hard work as the pathway to success, a philosophy I continue to believe in to this day. My mother taught me to respect others and she taught me the value of empathy and generosity. She was always willing to give to others even when it meant depriving herself. Although we didn't have a lot growing up, we always had enough to share with others who needed help.
I attended public high school and also worked throughout high school. My first job was at a greenhouse doing manual labor. That was followed by stints at fast food establishments and as a busboy/server at a local restaurant. I understand what it means to work hard and the value of a hard-earned dollar.
After high school, I enrolled at the University of Michigan, where I discovered a passion for serving the community, dedicated as much time to volunteering both on and off campus. I continued to work to help cover the cost of college. After graduation from the University of Michigan, I continued my education at Cornell Law School.
Though I was fortunate to receive partial scholarships for my education, I financed the remaining costs myself, working as much as I could and taking out student loans to make up the difference. As a result, I appreciate the cost of higher education and the financial sacrifice that it imposes both on students and their families. I also appreciate that prospective students need to be assured that their significant financial sacrifice will result in employment opportunities worthy of the investment.
I feel very fortunate for the opportunities I have had in life and I have made it my life's mission to give back. From 2009 to 2017, I was employed as a Public Defender at the Clark County Public Defender's Office, serving the most needy in the community and ensuring that every Nevadan received the due process guaranteed by both the Nevada and United States Constitutions. My work enlightened me about the lack of services and assistance for the seriously mentally ill and for many other Nevadans who are often forgotten or ignored. We must do more as a community for those who need help the most. Many of the drivers of criminal activity can be eliminated with appropriate social services.
During both the 2013 and 2015 Nevada legislative sessions, I served as an advocate for Clark County and the Public Defender's Office. In that role, I gained valuable experience, learning the legislative process firsthand and participating in the drafting of legislation and the presentation of bills and amendments. Those experiences taught me the importance of working together to find real world solutions to help struggling Nevadans.
Since first being elected in 2016, I have worked hard on your behalf to build a Nevada that works for everyone, not just the wealthy. That has included supporting common sense policies like paid sick leave and increasing the minimum wage. I have made it a priority to make it easier to vote, to combat climate change, to protect a women's right to choose, and to build our clean energy economy. I have also worked to make the outdoors accessible to all Nevadans and to enact common sense, smart on crime criminal justice policies. More recently, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I have worked to ensure that all Nevadans have access to quality healthcare and to ensure the survival of our vital small businesses.
Although we have made great strides, there is still work to do. I am committed to continuing to work with Democrats and Republicans alike to find common ground and build consensus around policies that move Nevada forward. If re-elected, I will continue to work as hard as I can to build a better Nevada, not just for us, but for future generations to come.
I greatly appreciate your support and interest in my campaign and I would love to hear from you about your priorities.