I'm a Mom who wants to put Ohio's kids 1st and is running for House of Representatives to protect them and their future. I'm a hard working professional who isn't afraid to roll up my sleeves and do the hard work that needs to be done. I am running as a Democratic Candidate for Ohio House of Representatives, District 2.

When I was a little girl, people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I would always answer them, right away, without even thinking about it, "I want to be a mom!" The older I got, the less acceptable that answer seemed to become. Eventually that answer turned into, "someone who helps other people", and along the way, it took many different forms. There was always, "I want to serve my country!" and for the longest time, that took the form of, "I want to be in the military just like my family." but there were also, "I want to be a nurse" and "I want to be a police officer" and there was even, "I think I might want to be an attorney" just before I graduated college.

Eventually, my high school sweetheart turned into my college sweetheart, and then he wasn't just my boyfriend anymore, he was my fiancé, and then we got pregnant, and he became my husband, and we became parents together. I finally got to be a "mom" now that I was all grown up. Through everything, I've never wanted anything more than to be a mom. I've always wanted to be someone who helps and cares for others, someone who shows up for you and holds your hand in the good times and the bad. I've always prioritized being present for others, doing anything and everything that I can for them, to help them and to let them know they are seen, heard, appreciated, valued, wanted and welcome. That's what moms do, that's also what a good Representative does too.

So my inspiration is actually very simple. He made me a mom. He is 7 and a 1/2 years old. His favorite color is currently red. He loves Hockey and wants to create his own NHL team one day. He hates mushrooms but loves steamed broccoli. He has my eyes and my attitude. He has my husband's sense of humor and mischievous nature. He loves history like his daddy and loves to draw and paint like his momma. My inspiration is a little boy who is my whole world, and his name is Oliver.

When he came into this world, he changed my whole life. Suddenly, everything became about him, in the best way possible, and how to give him the best life possible. I'm at a crossroads or a turning point in my life where I've feel like even though I've done everything (mostly) right with and for my child, there are outside factors that are affecting him and his friends, kids who I also love dearly and want to see happy, healthy, safe and successful. However, I've come to the realization that no matter what I do, "just a mom" can't do anything by herself, without support from her village. So I thought to myself, if I could grow my village to include lots of other moms who feel the same way about their kids, as I do about the kids in my life, maybe, just maybe, then we could make this world a better place for all of our kids.

I want to make the world a better place for my son and his friends, for all the children in our neighborhood and at his school, for all the children in our district, for all the children in our city, state, and eventually our country. I want them to know someone who really cares, who shows up and is always there for them. The only way I know how to change the world for our kids is one step at a time, just taking the next right step. So, I am moving beyond political hobbyism -just talking about the problems and what I think should be done-, taking action -creating this campaign and running for election-, and making real change -by legislating to put our kids first, as soon as I'm elected into the Ohio House of Representatives as Representative of District 2.

I'm running because our children need more moms to stand up for them. So, here I am, making my stand, because they are the best part of who we are. They are our future.