WHY I’M RUNNING
Defending Democracy. Creating Opportunity.
I am an American by choice. 20 years ago, I came to the United States from Venezuela with my wife and four children. In Venezuela, I was a member of Congress and a leader in the opposition to an increasingly authoritarian leader. In Congress, I fought to maintain our democracy, and because of that work, we had family assets seized, were threatened with imprisonment, and then were forced to leave our home or forfeit my freedom. All because I stood up to authoritarianism and dictatorship and fought to defend democracy and human rights.
We chose to rebuild our lives in the United States for three reasons:
1. Because this nation has always stood as a beacon of democracy and the rule of law.
2. Because America is a country of immigrants, and we believed we would be welcomed as part of the American story.
3. And because this is a land of economic opportunity, where social mobility is possible for those with work ethic, discipline, and hope.
These reasons are not unique to me and my family; in fact, they echo through the history of our great nation for 250 years. America is that shining city on a hill, but today, those three foundational reasons that made the United States our home are under threat. Democracy is being tested. Immigrants are being scapegoated. Federal workers are being fired without cause for political sport. Prices continue to rise because of out-of-control tariffs we don’t need and didn’t want. Our leadership in the world is being questioned. And the promise of economic opportunity is slipping away for too many working families.
Over the last 15 years in Virginia, I worked to serve our communities:
As a Board Member at the University of Mary Washington, where I worked hard to ensure affordability in higher education.
On Governor Northam and Governor McAuliffe’s Small Business Commission, where I advocated to increase diversity in state procurement.
In collaboration with the Sorensen Institute at UVA to expand Latino participation in public leadership programs addressing Virginia’s most pressing challenges.
“I’m running to defend the very values that brought my family to this country - and made it worth sacrificing everything for. I’m running to push back against the rise of authoritarian politics here at home, led by a figure who threatens our democratic institutions, marginalizes communities like mine, drives our economy into the ditch, and erodes the promise of equal opportunity for all. ”
Simply put, I am running to give working families here in our community the same chance it gave my family twenty years ago.
As someone who lived through authoritarianism, I can tell you: The world is watching. And we cannot afford to fail.
I will bring my experience as an international lawyer, a former Congressman, former Counselor with the U.S. Department of Commerce appointed by President Joe Biden, a human rights activist, a small business owner advocate, and a Fairfax County parent to represent this district with honesty, compassion, and courage.
Let’s fight together - for democracy, for opportunity, and for the future our children deserve.
