I’m Running for Congress as a Progressive Democrat
After previously launching my bid to represent California’s 6th district as an Independent, I’m now running as a Democrat. Here’s why.
The biggest reason for the update, plain and simple, is because the people of Sacramento who I’ve spoken to want a Democrat to represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives. I’ve listened to their feedback.
I’ve also seen how the Biden-Harris administration is pushing forward a progressive agenda, and know that if elected, I could work to move the Democratic caucus in Congress further to the left on issues like universal income and the global deforestation crisis.
The primary election isn’t until June of 2022, and this is my first time running for office. So I’m very receptive to feedback. My goal with my campaign is to bring attention to issues that I’m passionate about, but my primary job as a Congressperson would be to represent the people of this district — Sacramento, CA and surrounding neighborhoods.
To gain more insight into the attitudes of local voters, I’ve taken to socially distant canvassing recently. Or, dropping letters off at the doorsteps of neighbors who are within walking distance of myself and my one and a half year old.
Along the way I’ve encountered a number of people who have told me outright that they want a Democrat to represent them in Congress. I’d previously decided to run as an Independent progressive primarily because I’d been registered as an Independent voter. However, I’ve always voted for Democratic candidates and causes.
And the more I spoke with people, including some who agreed with my progressive platform and hoped to volunteer for my campaign, the more I heard pushback when I tried to explain that my views were further to the left in many ways than that of the Democratic platform.
Then there was one question that got to me. “If I don’t vote for a Democrat isn’t it a vote for a Republican?” This came with concerns about how the Republican Party responded to the former president’s violent riot on the U.S. Capital.
In reflecting on the path that led me to this campaign for Congress, it started with my decision to volunteer for then candidate Joe Biden almost a year ago. I was worried what the future of this country would look like without a Democrat in the White House.
Volunteering for President Biden and Vice President Harris felt impactful. The content I created was viewed by millions of users on TikTok and other platforms, and the values I worked to tell voters that the two of them had are the exact ones I’ve seen them put into legislation since taking office.
Biden and Harris’s tenure has made me aspire to be a Democratic Congressperson. They’ve brought dignity and kindness back to politics in my option. And most importantly, they share the values of many Sacramento area voters (myself included).
Therefore if I truly wanted to represent this district in Congress, it was obvious that I needed to run as a Democrat.
