I grew up in Tallahassee. I went to school here, built my business here and started my family here. I never really thought I would end up in politics, but I truly believe we can be a better city than we are today.

I grew up on the south side of Tallahassee– raised by a single mother of 4 kids, in poverty, doing the best she could do to get by. Many of the streets where I grew up look the same as they did 30 years ago. The only difference is the rents have increased and more of the homes have fallen into disrepair. Investing in infrastructure and affordable housing in our long neglected neighborhoods must be a priority.

As a business owner, I know what it is like to make a dream a reality. Every day we show up to work to make improvements– to be better than we were the day before. Tallahassee has a lot to be proud of, but we can’t afford to simply celebrate success and not make meaningful progress toward our community goals.

It has been an honor to serve Tallahassee for the past 4 years, but we have more work to do. On housing, on protecting our trees and waterways, on making public investment equitable and putting it to work for all people. I want to make sure when I’m no longer in public service, I can say I truly made a difference, for our kids and all of the families that call Tallahassee home.