Kalamazoo County Democratic Party (2023) - I accepted this endorsement as I view good governance, supporting healthcare, education, job creation, public transportation, jobs training programs, strong environmental policies, business development, community-government partnerships, and accountability as important aspects of a successful community.

Planned Parenthood of Michigan (2023)- I accepted this endorsement as I view healthcare as a human right. I do not see this as partisan. I have learned that in the 1800s a great grandmother of mine was raped by her step-father and I am a direct descendent of this child. If not for that child, half of my family including myself would not have been born. A woman’s decision is ultimately her own and it is up to her to make her decisions. As a society, we are obliged to support an individual’s healthcare decision and ensure quality affordable healthcare is available. I share this story to help give people perspectives beyond the now.

I did NOT receive an endorsement from the Greater Kalamazoo Area of Realtors. Look at my view on housing and feel free to ask me about the topic in more depth as I want to see quality affordable housing in Portage via efficient land use.

UPDATE: Please see the December meeting where the Board passed the Auxiliary Dwelling Unit ordinance. I raise concern in the area of enforcement in the meeting and what the city does not share is that investors will be able to buy properties, build ADU buildings on the property and raise the resale value of the property by anywhere from $100,000 to $200,000. This poses the risk of gentrification within Portage and making housing stock less affordable for people not able to afford $500,000-$1,000,000 homes.

I also received support from Southwest Michigan First PAC. As a refugee job developer, I engaged with Southwest Michigan First while working on helping employees in Vicksburg and Schoolcraft overcome employment transportation barriers to strengthen our greater community.