John,

Before I ever held pubic office, I spent 20 years serving the people of Tulsa as a firefighter and paramedic. In that work, I learned what real leadership looks like. It means showing up on people's worst days. It means listening before acting. It means making tough decisions under pressure, working as a team, and never forgetting that every call involves real people with real lives on the line. That mindset, service over self, and the motto, "courage under fire," have shaped everything I bring to public life and now to this role.

I've always believed that politics should be about people, not positions. Everything I've done in public service, from my work at the Capitol to my advocacy in our neighborhoods, has been grounded in listening first and fighting for opportunity, dignity, and fairness for everyday Oklahomans. That same belief is what I bring with me into this new role as Vice Chair. 

My focus is on helping build a Democratic Party that is truly representative of Oklahoma's population and speaks to the real needs of our people, across every demographic. Our message has to be voter-focused and authentic, not scripted or disconnected. When we listen to people where they are, our values resonate, and our solutions make sense. 

I also believe deeply in the courage to speak the truth, even when doing so challenges institutional loyalty or the comfort of the status quo. Oklahomans deserve honesty from their leaders. Too many decisions being made by the current administration are not good for the State of Oklahoma, nor for the people who call it home, and silence in the face of harm is not leadership. Progress requires moral clarity, accountability, and the willingness to stand up for people over politics.

I'm also deeply committed to bringing up the next generation of Democratic voters and leaders. That means mentoring young people, first-time candidates, organizers, and volunteers, and preparing them to step into the critical roles our campaigns and communities need. The future of our party depends on investing in people now, not later. 

Just as important, I want us to bring new energy and renewed purpose into our work, engaging voters who may feel overlooked, frustrated, or indifferent to politics. My goal is to help re-ignite belief that participation matters and that change is still possible when we show up together. I step into this role with enthusiasm, optimism, focus, and determination. Oklahoma deserves a Democratic Party that organizes year-round, develops leaders at every level, and never loses sight of the people we are here to serve. 

Now is the time to get involved. Whether you can volunteer, learn campaign skills, help engage young people, or bring a friend who's felt disconnected from politics, there is a place for you in this work.

And if you're able, I ask you to make a contribution at whatever level is right for you, to help us train new leaders, strengthen our organizing, and reach voters who are too often overlooked. 

Together, we can build a Democratic Party that is energized, prepared, and truly rooted in the people of Oklahoma. 

As Oklahoma Democrats, we are working every day to engage, connect, and organize Oklahomans to elect Democrats at every level of government.