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Hi John,
My 18th birthday was a major milestone — I was fully and finally considered an adult in the eyes of the law. It was my first birthday that I spent without my twin or my parents as I had already moved out on my own. I was months away from leaving for college and I was restless with the anticipation of a new beginning and finding somewhere to live where I felt like I belonged.
This 30th birthday also felt like a major milestone — I’m no longer a young adult or considered a young alumnus to my alma mater.
If you had asked 18 year old me what my life would look like by the time I turned 30, I would’ve given you a very put together list — I’ll graduate college in three years and I’ll be working as an emergency medicine physician. I’ll have married the love of my life by my mid-twenties and I’ll have already had my first child. We would all be living in a house with a giant yard and lots of dogs.
That isn’t quite how it unfolded...
I did graduate college in three years but I found my passion in public health instead of medicine. I haven’t met the love of my life yet, nor have I had any children. And buying my first home has been pushed off into the future in my effort to run for this office.
But the restlessness I felt when I turned 18 is gone. I know that I’m living in a place where I belong and am surrounded by people I love. Philadelphians mean so much to me and are worth the delay in life plans so I can fight for the betterment of this city and for our collective future. I know that if we want to see everyday people thrive, we need to elect a City Controller who has a goal of equity through distribution of resources (or a budget) and understands that the key to prosperity is through well-being instead of profit. I know I’m the best one for the job, which is why I’ve stayed in this fight and put my own savings account into funding our campaign.
Sometimes when I’m out talking to voters, someone will make a passing comment of hey your platform really resonates with me. It makes my eyes fill with tears. My political platform and my stances on the issues that matter most are the ways I am loving Philadelphians. And it feels really good to know that that love is being received.
I am so grateful to be here in a summation of all my good, bad, and difficult experiences. I am so excited for what a progressive City Controller can do for Philadelphia. I know that our office can be a beacon of hope, that government can be good, that politicians can be honest, and that it’s possible to be elected without taking dark money. But I need your help to be able to do that. Will you make a $30 contribution to our campaign today?
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