I’m a proud West Virginian who’s lived in this beautiful state for over 40 years.

I’ve been a public school teacher in Mercer County for nearly five. Before that, I spent 25 years as a social worker, and also facilitated addiction recovery group classes and other addiction recovery related case management programs. I’ve worked with children with special needs, and have assisted foster families in getting assistance to care for traumatized children that have been placed in their home due to neglect or abuse.

I’ve spent my life helping people. It’s IN me.

I’m also a veteran: I served 9 years in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm.

I’m ready to fight for you. I’ve been doing it all my life.

During my time as a social worker, I traveled to homes in just about every holler in Mercer County.

• I’ve seen how families struggle to make ends meet at low wage paying jobs that rarely hire them for full-time hours, and how by the third week of the month they often have to rely on food banks to feed their children.
• I’ve seen how folks frequently had doors slammed in their faces because of a drug conviction, when they just wanted the opportunity to work hard so they could to turn their lives around.
• I’ve seen my colleagues and fellow social workers doing important work helping struggling families to become self sufficient at the same time they make such low wages, that they often qualify for the same programs we help clients access.

Above all, I consider myself an advocate for all those who are working hard and deserve to make a living wage, for those who want to be able to care for their families, and for those who deserve to have access to affordable healthcare.

It’s time we elect people who aren’t focused on helping the rich get richer, but instead will help working families improve their lives. It’s time we elect people who will not sell out public education to the highest bidder, and allow profits to be made at the expense of our teachers, public school personnel, and most of all, at the expense of our students. In short, it’s time to elect people who will put their neighbors’ needs above party, above politics, and above out-of-state interests.

I am that person.

When I’m elected to represent Mercer County in the West Virginia House of Delegates, I’ll fight with love to help my neighbors have a legislative hand up out of poverty and addiction.