More than a century ago, my great-great grandfather joined a wagon train to Manteca, started a farm, and laid the foundations of a better life for the future generations of his family. I grew up in Turlock, went to public school, and worked my way through college and business school. I’ve spent my career helping entrepreneurs and new companies grow their businesses and turn their ideas into engines of economic growth.

I want the Central Valley to share in that economic growth. For too long, the Central Valley has been left behind. In fact, if the Central Valley were a state, we would be the poorest in the nation. That’s unacceptable, and I’m running for Congress because we can and must do better.

In Congress, my mission will be to bring more good-paying jobs and more investment to the Valley - so a child growing up today can have the same opportunities I had as a kid. I will work with Republicans, Democrats, and Independents to help our local farms and businesses prosper by investing in education and infrastructure and helping to create more good paying jobs. I will also stand up to President Trump when he is wrong, and fight his agenda when it threatens our values and our families.  

Together, we can defend our values and strengthen our economy.

Growing up on farms and ranches as a kid gave me a deep love for agriculture, animals and machinery. My greatest passion has always been and will always be coaching young men, which I began doing right out of high school. I've always taught the value of hard work, honor and never quitting!

I paid my way through college and later veterinary school working as a firefighter & EMT which engrained an immense sense of public service into my core values.

For the past 25 years, I have worked as a Large Animal veterinarian for Mid Valley Large Animal Service in Turlock, CA. From 200-2006 I was a member of the Turlock City Planning Comission and fro 2006-2010 I was a member of the Turlock City Council, lead of the budget committee, vice-mayor and member of the Stanislaus County Council of Governments.

I am a constitutionally conservative Republican who leans libertarian on social issues which is to say I like smaller government and no interference in our private lives.

When I served as Mayor of Riverbank, I brought business owners and community organizations together to get things done, working with the United States Army to convert an old ammunition plant into a jobs hub, helping small businesses open doors and bringing more jobs to the region. Now appointed by Governor Brown to the California Boating and Waterways Commission, I continue my advocacy for the San Joaquin Valley by helping bring resources to benefit our local communities.

I’m running for Congress because I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY, and I’m tired of hearing our current representative say one thing here and then go back to Washington and vote completely against the interests of Central Valley families.

WE CAN DO SO MUCH BETTER!

THE CENTRAL VALLEY IS THE ONLY PLACE I HAVE EVER LIVED – From kindergarten to Stanislaus State, I am a product of local schools. That is why I know the impact that access to high-quality public education means for our children’s future. But right now in Washington, the Trump administration has a woefully unqualified secretary of education, Betsy DeVos. In her home state of Michigan, her work hollowed-out the public school system. Now, DeVos and Trump want to slash student loan programs that level the playing field for so many students – and cut them off from the opportunities they provide. I WON’T LET THEM.

Inequality in our country is at levels not seen since the 1920’s. THAT DIDN’T HAPPEN BY CHANCE – BUT BY CHOICES OUR ELECTED LEADERS IN WASHINGTON HAVE MADE. Locally, it is harder than ever for our families to get by and the recent TRUMP/DENHAM TAX CUTS STACKED IN FAVOR OF THE 1% ONLY MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE. I refuse to pay for our multi-millionaire Congressman’s self-serving tax cuts by cutting Social Security and Medicare. We must work to strengthen these programs.

In America, family should come first -- but right now WE ARE THE ONLY DEVELOPED NATION WITHOUT PAID FAMILY LEAVE. We must fight for paid family leave so everyone has the opportunity to be there for the most important moments in our families’ lives, but currently only 13% of Americans have access to paid family leave. Paid family leave is a win-win for workers and businesses as it reduces employee turnover and wage replacement costs. This is an issue whose time is way past due because no one should be forced to choose between caring for a loved one or their job security.

AS THE DAUGHTER OF IMMIGRANT FARM WORKERS, I’LL FIGHT FOR THE DREAMERS. Dreamers were brought to this country as children, and it’s the only country they have ever known. Our current representative likes to pretend for the cameras that he supports Dreamers, but he won’t stand up to House Republican leadership and force them to allow a vote of the full Congress. Until he tries to do that, everything else is just for show.

IN A COUNTRY AS GREAT AS OURS, NO ONE SHOULD DIE OR GO BANKRUPT BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD MEDICAL TREATMENT.  As a child I was almost sent home to die because my parents couldn’t afford the treatment. Fortunately a doctor’s mercy allowed me to get the care I needed. Obamacare has reduced the number of uninsured, but instead of fixing what was needed, Washington Republicans have been busy sabotaging our healthcare system. OUR CONGRESSMAN’S ANTI-OBAMACARE VOTES HAVE LEAD TO LESS CARE THAT COSTS MORE MONEY. THAT IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND STUPID.

AS PART OF STRENGTHENING OBAMACARE WE NEED THE OPTION OF BUYING INTO MEDICARE. This will keep the insurance companies honest and a check on price increases. Additionally we must allow Medicare the right to negotiate with the drug companies just like the Veterans Administration currently does. As the largest buyer of prescription drugs, Medicare should be allowed to use its bargaining power, saving taxpayers money.

THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR IS THE NUMBER ONE SOURCE OF OUR DISTRICT’S ECONOMY. Trump’s ICE heavy-handedness and reckless trade war is causing crops to rot in the fields leading to millions of dollars lost. To keep our agricultural economy vibrant, we need to ensure a reliable source of labor. Small business owners, farmers, and working families agree that we must create a system that benefits the safety of our communities and serves our local economy. I will stand up for our communities and bring people together to fix our broken immigration system.

JUST OUTSIDE OF OUR DISTRICT WAS THE CLEVELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING IN 1989. A drifter fired an AK-47 into children playing at recess. Five children were killed and 30 more wounded that day. That attack lead to the banning of assault weapons in California and contributed to the 1994 nationwide ban spearheaded by Senator Dianne Feinstein.  WE MUST CONSIDER REINSTATING IT.

RIGHT NOW CONGRESS CANNOT EVEN GET THE FACTS TO FIND WAYS TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE BECAUSE OF THE DICKEY AMENDMENT. That amendment prevents the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) from studying gun violence and provide lawmakers evidence-based solutions to solve this crisis. There is a bipartisan bill to repeal the Dickey Amendment. THERE ARE SEVEN REPUBLICAN COSPONSORS, BUT JEFF DENHAM ISN’T ONE OF THEM. Denham cares more about protecting his NRA ‘A’ rating than he does about finding solutions to our school shooting epidemic.

ARE YOU TIRED OF OUR CONGRESSMAN SAYING ONE THING HERE, THEN VOTING INSTEAD FOR HIS WASHINGTON DONORS AND AGAINST OUR COMMUNITY?

DO YOU WANT SOMEONE THAT DOESN’T LOOK THE OTHER WAY TO THE BRAZEN CORRUPTION OF DONALD TRUMP AND HIS CABINET, AND WILL HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE?

Join our campaign to bring back common sense and accountability back to Washington. We’ve got a tough fight ahead of us, but with your support we can make a difference for our community.