WHY AM I RUNNING?

I moved to Berkeley for undergrad and never left. I fell in love with this city and plan to live here forever. But, I realize that in order to make that dream a reality, we have to fix some things. I’m determined to champion an Affordable & Safe Berkeley.

With 10 moves in 13 years, I’ve seen all corners of Berkeley, and not by choice. Housing insecurity and unaffordability are not my problems alone. We deserve better than predatory landlords taking advantage of our vulnerable student population forced to accept less than a California bare minimum. Everyone who spends time in Berkeley, even just 4 years, should be able to navigate this wonderful place without being used and abused.

Berkeley activated me. Here, I learned that I was made for the work of governance. I assisted Berkeley visionaries, like Ben Bartlett and Kriss Worthington, with their work and grew in the process. I know what we need to fix our problems. I know how to bridge ideas and implementation within our complex system. No other candidate has my trifecta of experience. My time as a Berkeley student, community member, and City Council employee makes me uniquely positioned to champion a better Berkeley.  

It’s time we recognize that safety concerns affect our entire community. We must manage our physical safety as well as our emotional and psychological safety. I am dedicated to building simplified systems to connect Berkeley with resources for Harm Reduction & Mental Health issues. Resources for non-violent crimes will be amplified for the public, ensuring the safety of our community while simultaneously redirecting public resources where they are needed most. Physical violence isn’t the only danger to our people. When folks do not know who to call when issues are internal, we create an unbearable environment. With the support of harm reduction and community advocates, I will spearhead a 3-digit number for necessary safety services that are not crime-related. Together, we can alleviate our systems that should be focused on keeping our streets safe.

I want to live in Berkeley forever. There is so much to love about this place, and I believe it is worthwhile to repair the rest. If given the opportunity, I know that together, we will make real change happen.