I have always sought to serve others. I want everyone to be happy, live a happy life, and one day die happy. I’ve seen people die, and I’ve seen too many loved ones go before they should have.

I can’t save everyone, but I’ll be damned if I’m not going to try.

None of us are free until we ALL are free.

I was born in Washington State, but grew up in South Carolina and joined the Army in 2006. I was subjected to the early on Evangelical propaganda of the south. My mother… my hero… was very open and accepting. Early on in my childhood, I learned just how hateful the world is when my mother was called a “****** Lover” (you can guess what that was) for dating an African American man. She never cared what other people thought, and always tried to support her family, providing for everyone, and living an authentic, honorable, truly accepting life. My mother was murdered when I was 18 years old; the murder was never solved and classified as an “accidental suicide.”

It is because of my mother that I’ve come to be willing to defend others and embrace myself truly, fully, and authentically.

My life has been a roller coaster. I was born in 1988 (I’m 36)… yes I know I don’t look like it. My first transformation was when my mother was murdered and I was serving in South Korea at the time. After this I finally became an atheist, which is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. There is absolutely nothing wrong with people who have a faith system… any faith system… it just isn’t my thing.

My second transformation was when I was sexually assaulted by my spouse a few years ago. Since then, after surviving multiple suicidal ideation moments, I finally decided to live an authentic life.

8 months ago I began legally medically transitioning from my gender assigned at birth to my true gender. It’s been very difficult, but I know it was the right decision. Being a transwoman is just a small part of who I am, despite what MAGA may try to say.

I joined the Army right after high school in 2006. I joined as the newly dubbed Human Intelligence Collector… which is just an Interrogator with extra steps. I deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan with that job. I uniquely had the opportunity to actually talk to local populace on a regular basis. I lived in their tiny cities. I ate their food. I taught them things. I protected them… and they protected me. But I also witnessed the injustice by the local governments and the U.S. Government. Having a local farmer beg you to your face to not leave or they will die, crying… to redeploy back to the U.S. and witness, via the news, that they were killed by terrorists… it’s not something you forget easily.

In 2014 I changed my primary MOS to Counterintelligence Special Agent. I served in Kuwait (and the surrounding Southwest Asia region) doing national security investigations.

I have a lot of injuries, most you can’t see, but I still want to serve my country as a Congresswoman in this dire time we face together.

I live in Sierra Vista, AZ. I am involved in community all year long. I used to perform regularly in Bisbee, Arizona, and I currently perform live theatre at the Sierra Vista Community Theatre and the K Palace Theater.

I go to school at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

1. Military - Much of my qualifications come from my nearly 19 years in the military. Normally people value service members, but do not think their service necessarily makes them more qualified for Congress. For me that's not the case.

2. Communication - For nearly 19 years I served as a Human Intelligence Collector, Counterintelligence Special Agent, and Military Intelligence / Leadership Instructor. I served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Human Intelligence Collector, where I regularly talked to and gathered Intelligence from Iraqis and Afghans, and conducted national security crime investigations in Southwest Asia as a Counterintelligence Special Agent. Much of my military experience can't be elaborated on, due to its classified nature, but this shows my ability to communicate, articulate complex issues, and listen to diverse audiences of differing world views and beliefs.

3. I regularly wrote national level intelligence reports for the Intelligence Community.

4. Leadership - I've been a leader of varying and increasing responsibility culminating at the rank of Sergeant First Class (E7). I've led Soldiers in combat and garrison environments.

5. I'm interested in what the constituents want. That's why I take any and all feedback from everyone... even if that results in hateful comments against me. It is the job of a member of the US Congress to listen to the people, regardless of the peoples' opinions of or against me. To then take into account that feedback to vote on or write Bills is the job of a Representative.

6. Integrity and Commitment - I have a deep sense of loyalty and commitment. I love America, and that's why when the administration decided to continuously violate and corrode the Constitution, I had no choice but to fight back.

7. I have held a Top Secret Security Clearance for nearly 19 years, with no major security violations. I have no criminal record.

8. Transparency - I firmly believe in transparency. Leaders can and should admit when they've made a mistake or when someone else has a better idea.

9. Community - I am active in the community. I volunteer at multiple community theatres and help the community as much as possible in volunteer events.

10. Courage - I'm not afraid of doing what is needed and right for Arizona and America. I have and will probably continue getting threats of violence. I won't let hate stop me from fighting for a stronger, better America.