I’ve been knocked down more times than I can count. And every time, I got back up. I didn’t come from advantage. I didn’t come from wealth, political connections, or a system designed to smooth the road. What I learned early on is that when life pushes back, you either quit—or you adapt, stand up, and keep moving forward. That lesson didn’t weaken me. It shaped me. Where I Come From I was born in Wichita, Kansas and raised in the Arkansas River Valley. My early life taught me a reality many people understand but few talk about openly: systems don’t always work the way they’re supposed to, and authority doesn’t always mean accountability. When things didn’t work, I learned to rely on effort, persistence, and personal responsibility. I didn’t wait for permission to improve my situation. I learned how to survive pressure, adjust, and keep going. Those lessons never left me. How I Got Here I graduated from Mansfield High School and attended the University of Arkansas–Pulaski Technical College. Over the course of my life, I have pursued education and professional development wherever it was available—earning documented training, certifications, and real-world experience through persistence rather than privilege. My résumé reflects a lifetime of continuing education. I may not have followed a traditional academic path or checked every box people expect, but I have never stopped learning or improving. Every credential I earned came from discipline and effort. I didn’t take the easiest or most conventional route. I took the one available to me, and I worked for every step forward. In 2023, I moved to Minneapolis. What I found here was a state full of capable, hardworking people—and systems that too often make life harder instead of easier. I saw inefficiency treated as normal, accountability treated as optional, and failure protected rather than fixed. That didn’t sit right with me. Throughout my life, I’ve volunteered with community organizations and local efforts focused on helping people navigate broken systems. Again and again, I saw the same pattern: when accountability disappears, everyday people pay the price. Survivor, Not Insider I’m not a millionaire insulated from everyday life, and I’m not a lifelong politician surrounded by other politicians. I’ve lived the reality most Minnesotans live—working, struggling, adapting, and pushing forward without a safety net. I know what it’s like to worry about bills, to put in long hours, and to carry responsibility without wealth or political protection. I didn’t come up through back rooms or party pipelines. I came up by showing up—every day—and doing the work. No matter the job, no matter the role, one thing has always been true: no one has ever questioned my work ethic. I put in the time. I put in the hours. I take responsibility seriously, and I don’t walk away when the work gets hard. That’s not a campaign promise—it’s a track record. What Makes Me Different I’m not a career politician. I don’t cater to insiders, donors, or political convenience. Politicians tend to serve politicians. I’m not wired that way. I understand broken systems because I’ve lived with their consequences. I understand accountability because I’ve had to hold myself to it. And I understand persistence because quitting was never an option. I’m willing to stand alone if that’s what it takes. I’m willing to ask uncomfortable questions. And I’m willing to take the hits that come with demanding real results instead of excuses. How We Move Forward Minnesota deserves a government that works as hard as its people do. That means protecting taxpayers, holding fraud and abuse accountable, and fixing broken systems instead of expanding them. It means enforcing the rules fairly and refusing to hide failure behind bureaucracy. Leadership isn’t a lifestyle. It’s work. If I’m entrusted with this office, I won’t treat it like a reward or a resting place. I’ll treat it like a job—one that demands long hours, constant attention, and an unwavering focus on the people of Minnesota. I’ve never been afraid of hard work, and I don’t plan on starting now. I’ve been knocked down before. I dust myself off. I keep going. That’s who I am. That’s why I’m running.