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A: 1. What are the priorities for this office, if you were elected, and in what timeframe would you address those priorities?
My first priority would be addressing the future of data center development in Charles County. Within my first 100 days, I would work with my fellow commissioners to pursue the strongest lawful county-level measures available to prevent data center development that threatens our environment, infrastructure, water and energy resources, and residents’ quality of life.
My second priority would be responsible growth, traffic, and infrastructure. During my first year, I would push for a comprehensive examination of how continued development is affecting congestion, roads, infrastructure, green space, and quality of life. I want our development policies to encourage environmentally responsible growth rather than approving development and asking residents to deal with the consequences afterward.
My third priority would be government transparency and accessibility. Within my first 100 days, I would begin organizing regular in-person town halls where residents can speak directly with their elected representatives. During my first year, I would also advocate for a citizen-led initiative focused on identifying county programs, services, grants, business opportunities, and other resources and developing better ways to connect those resources with residents.
My administration philosophy would be simple: listen first, act responsibly, and make county government accessible to the people it serves.
2. What Executive Orders would you execute?
The office I am seeking is different from a President, Governor, or executive Mayor. As one member of the Charles County Board of Commissioners, I would not have unilateral authority to issue presidential-style executive orders. I believe it is important to be transparent with voters about the actual authority of the office.
Instead, I would use the powers available to me as a Commissioner to introduce and advocate for resolutions, ordinances, budget priorities, zoning and land-use changes, and administrative initiatives, while building the votes necessary to enact them through the Board.
Within my first 100 days, I would pursue action in three areas:
Data centers: Introduce or support legislation and land-use measures designed to prevent data center development in Charles County.
Government accessibility: Establish regular District 4 town halls and advocate for greater public communication regarding county decisions, spending, programs, contracts, and resources.
Resident participation: Advocate for citizen-led advisory efforts that bring residents into discussions involving development, environmental impacts, county resources, and quality-of-life issues.
I am not running to promise powers that the office does not possess. I am running to use the powers it does possess aggressively and responsibly on behalf of residents.
3. How would you allocate funds to Black and marginalized communities?
As a Commissioner participating in the county budget process, I would approach equity by asking a basic question: Are county resources reaching the communities and residents who need them most?
Because Charles County has a substantial Black population, addressing disparities affecting Black residents must be incorporated into our overall budgeting decisions rather than treated as an afterthought.
I would prioritize investments in housing stability and homelessness prevention, youth and recreation programs, health and mental-health services, senior services, transportation and infrastructure, environmental protection, workforce development, and programs supporting small and locally owned businesses.
However, allocating money alone is not enough. I would also push for greater transparency showing residents where county dollars are going, which communities are benefiting, what outcomes are being achieved, and whether disparities remain.
I would advocate for reviewing major county programs and investments through an equity and community-impact lens so that we understand not only how much government is spending, but who is benefiting from that spending and who is being left behind.
My objective would not be to take resources away from one community to give them to another. It would be to ensure that taxpayer resources are distributed fairly and that historically underserved residents have meaningful access to the opportunities their county government provides.
A: 1. How will you balance the political need to compromise with your interpretation of Green values?
I believe compromise is necessary in government, but there is a difference between compromising on how we accomplish a goal and compromising on the principles behind that goal.
As a Green, I will remain committed to grassroots democracy, social justice, environmental responsibility, transparency, and putting people before special interests. At the same time, I understand that as one member of a governing body, I will need to work with commissioners from different political parties and perspectives.
I am willing to negotiate over timelines, implementation, budgets, and the details of legislation when necessary to achieve meaningful progress. However, I will not compromise simply for political convenience when a proposal would clearly harm the residents I represent.
My approach will be to find common ground without losing sight of why I was elected.
2. How will you address systemic racism in the criminal justice system?
As a County Commissioner, I recognize that I would not control every part of the criminal justice system. However, county government does influence budgets, public safety investments, community programs, appointments, and policies that affect residents’ interaction with government.
I would advocate for greater transparency in criminal justice data, including disparities involving arrests, detention, diversion programs, and outcomes. I would also support investments in prevention, youth programs, mental-health services, substance-abuse treatment, reentry services, and alternatives that address the conditions that often lead people into the criminal justice system.
Charles County already maintains bodies such as its Justice Reinvestment Commission, which demonstrates that county government has opportunities to participate in criminal-justice reform and reinvestment.
I believe public safety and civil rights are not competing objectives. We should be able to keep communities safe while also demanding fairness, accountability, and equal treatment under the law.
3. Over 50% of America’s homeless population is Black. What is your plan to confront this issue?
Homelessness cannot be addressed only after someone loses their home. We must also focus on prevention.
As Commissioner, I would support strengthening rental assistance, housing counseling, emergency shelter services, homelessness prevention, and partnerships between county government, nonprofit organizations, faith organizations, and community groups.
Charles County already operates housing programs for low- and moderate-income residents and participates in programs supporting homelessness services.
I would want to examine where gaps exist, who is being underserved, and whether residents know how to access these resources before they reach a crisis.
My broader goal would be to treat housing stability as part of economic stability. Preventing an eviction or helping a family remain housed is generally better for the family and community than waiting until they enter the shelter system.
4. How will you confront health disparities in the American health-care system?
Health disparities are not caused by one issue alone. Access to doctors, transportation, income, food, environmental conditions, education, insurance coverage, and trust in healthcare institutions all affect health outcomes.
The CDC continues to identify racial and ethnic health disparities and supports community-based approaches specifically designed to reduce them.
At the county level, I would advocate for partnerships between our Health Department, community organizations, schools, faith institutions, healthcare providers, and other organizations to bring information and preventative services directly into communities.
I would particularly support greater awareness of preventative screenings, maternal health, mental health, chronic disease prevention, and programs that address barriers to healthcare.
We should also track outcomes. If certain communities consistently experience worse outcomes, government should identify why and direct resources toward closing those gaps.
5. What is your plan to deal with environmental racism?
Environmental racism occurs when the negative consequences of development, pollution, infrastructure, or environmental hazards fall disproportionately on communities that historically have had less political or economic power.
My approach would be to require that environmental and development decisions examine not only what the environmental impact will be, but who will bear that impact.
Before supporting major development projects, I want clear answers about effects on water, energy, traffic, air quality, forests, surrounding neighborhoods, public infrastructure, and long-term quality of life.
I would also expect environmental organizations and county agencies to demonstrate that community input was genuinely included, particularly from residents who will live closest to proposed projects.
Environmental justice cannot simply mean protecting trees. It must also mean protecting people.
6. COVID-19 is having a devastating impact on the Black community. What would your plan be to alleviate this issue?
COVID-19 exposed longstanding disparities involving healthcare access, employment conditions, underlying health conditions, transportation, and access to reliable public-health information. Earlier CDC research documented disproportionate COVID exposure, hospitalization, and healthcare-access barriers among Black and Hispanic communities.
My approach to COVID-19 and future public-health emergencies would be to make sure county information and resources reach communities quickly and clearly.
That includes working with trusted community institutions, healthcare providers, schools, senior organizations, faith communities, and neighborhood organizations to distribute accurate information and connect residents to testing, treatment, vaccination, and other available services when necessary.
The lesson I take from COVID is that we should not wait until a crisis occurs to build relationships between government and communities.
7. Does your platform include a tangible bona fide Black agenda?
Yes. My campaign has a tangible Black agenda, although I view it as integrated throughout my governing platform rather than separated from the issues affecting Charles County as a whole.
My agenda includes:
Environmental justice: preventing communities from disproportionately carrying the environmental and infrastructure burden of projects such as data centers and irresponsible overdevelopment.
Government transparency and access: making county resources, contracts, programs, grants, employment opportunities, and services easier for residents to find and understand.
Housing stability: supporting programs that prevent homelessness and help working families remain housed.
Economic opportunity: ensuring Black-owned and locally owned businesses understand how to compete for county opportunities and access available business resources.
Health equity: improving community access to preventative healthcare information and addressing disparities in health outcomes.
Criminal justice accountability: supporting transparency, prevention, rehabilitation, reentry programs, and alternatives that help reduce unnecessary involvement with the criminal justice system.
Community political power: making residents active participants in zoning, budgeting, development, and other decisions before those decisions become final.
Because Black residents make up such an important part of Charles County, improving these outcomes will significantly benefit Black families while also strengthening the entire county.
My Black agenda is ultimately about protecting Black communities, expanding access to opportunity, and ensuring Black residents have genuine power in the decisions affecting their communities.
8. What strategies do you have for developing the Green Party, strengthening infrastructure, increasing credibility, and increasing diverse participation?
I believe the Green Party grows by proving itself locally.
Too often, third parties become visible primarily during presidential elections. I believe we should build from school boards, county commissions, city councils, community organizations, and other local offices where residents can see Greens solving real problems.
My strategy would include recruiting candidates year-round, developing mentorship programs for first-time candidates, creating campaign training programs, maintaining active voter-registration efforts, building relationships with community organizations, and developing stronger local fundraising networks.
We also have to show up consistently in Black, Latino, working-class, immigrant, and other communities—not simply approach those communities during elections.
Credibility comes from service. If Greens are present at community meetings, helping residents understand government, fighting alongside communities on local issues, and running serious campaigns, more people will begin viewing the Green Party as a viable political home.
That approach directly reflects the Green Party’s emphasis on participatory and grassroots democracy.
9. Discuss your perspective on issues facing women, Black people, the Latino community, Puerto Rico and other territories, LGBTQIA+ people, seniors, immigrants, working-class people, and D.C. statehood.
I believe every person deserves dignity, equal protection, meaningful political representation, and the ability to participate in decisions that affect their lives.
Women should have equal economic opportunity, safe communities, access to healthcare, and equal participation in government and leadership.
Black Americans continue to face disparities rooted in generations of discriminatory policies, and I support policies aimed at repairing those disparities and expanding economic, political, environmental, and social opportunity.
Latino and immigrant communities should be treated with dignity and should have access to government services and information without being treated as political scapegoats.
Puerto Rico and other United States territories should have meaningful self-determination and should not be treated as second-class jurisdictions whose residents are subject to federal authority without equal political representation.
LGBTQIA+ residents deserve the same protection, dignity, employment opportunity, housing access, and ability to live safely as every other resident.
Seniors and elders deserve accessible healthcare, transportation, affordable housing, protection from exploitation, and the ability to age with dignity. Charles County already operates aging and disability services that county government can continue strengthening.
Working-class families should be at the center of government policy because they are the people whose taxes, labor, and communities keep our society functioning.
I also support full democratic representation for the residents of Washington, D.C. The principle is simple: people who are subject to government and taxation deserve meaningful representation in that government.
10. How do these issues impact White men and women and their communities?
I do not believe justice for one community requires injustice toward another.
Many of the problems affecting Black communities also affect working-class White communities: unaffordable housing, healthcare costs, stagnant wages, environmental damage, addiction, lack of economic opportunity, political disenfranchisement, and government that feels disconnected from ordinary people.
The difference is that certain communities have also experienced additional historical and systemic barriers based on race, ethnicity, gender, or other characteristics.
Acknowledging those disparities does not diminish the struggles of White Americans.
My goal is to build policies that recognize where disparities exist while improving conditions for working families across racial and cultural lines.
When we create cleaner communities, transparent government, affordable housing, stronger public services, better healthcare access, and greater economic opportunity, everyone benefits.
The Green movement has an opportunity to bring people together around those shared interests while still being courageous enough to address racial and social inequities where they exist.
A: 1. What do you understand to be the primary duties of the office you’re seeking?
As a Charles County Commissioner, I understand that my responsibility would extend far beyond representing District 4 on individual constituent concerns. The Board of County Commissioners is responsible for establishing and funding the County’s operating and capital budgets, making decisions regarding land use and zoning, overseeing the development process, establishing county policies and ordinances, protecting the health, safety, and welfare of residents, and appointing members to various boards and commissions.
Transportation and infrastructure are also important responsibilities through the County’s capital budget, planning process, and coordination with other levels of government. The County’s current Capital Improvement Program includes investments in road reconstruction, traffic safety, sidewalks, schools, water and sewer infrastructure, parks, and other public facilities.
Most importantly, I believe a commissioner has a responsibility to listen to residents and make sure the decisions of county government reflect the long-term interests of the people we were elected to serve.
2. What challenges do you foresee needing to address if elected as a Green?
One of the greatest challenges will be serving as a Green in a political environment largely dominated by the two major parties. I understand that I may not always have automatic political allies simply because of party affiliation.
However, I also see that independence as a strength. I will approach each proposal based on whether it benefits Charles County residents rather than which political party introduced it.
I expect there will be disagreements, particularly regarding development, data centers, environmental protection, and government spending. My responsibility will be to remain principled while still being willing to work with anyone when doing so advances the interests of our residents.
Being Green should never mean being isolated. It should mean bringing an independent voice to the table.
3. Do you support reparations for the American Descendants of Slavery? Please explain your position.
Yes, I support reparations for American Descendants of Slavery.
To me, reparations means repairing documented harm. The United States government and governmental institutions participated in and enforced systems that caused generational harm to Black Americans—from slavery and Jim Crow segregation to discriminatory government policies and programs, including abuses associated with COINTELPRO.
When harm has been created or reinforced through government action, I believe government has a responsibility to participate in repairing that harm.
I also believe reparations must be substantive. The discussion should include studying and addressing the economic and generational consequences of these policies, including disparities involving wealth, property ownership, education, economic opportunity, and other areas where past government actions continue to have consequences.
4. What are your top three issues and how can the office you seek influence or further those issues?
My three primary issues are opposing data center development, increasing government transparency and access to county resources, and protecting our environment from irresponsible overdevelopment.
First, data centers. I support preventing data center development in Charles County. This is directly relevant to the authority of the Board because commissioners adopt and update the County’s land-use plan and zoning ordinance and oversee the development process. Charles County has already been considering zoning changes specifically related to data centers. In July 2026, the current Board decided not to advance the proposed data-center zoning amendment and instead directed staff toward additional study, public engagement, and a task force.
Second, government transparency and access to resources. I want residents to better understand where their tax dollars are going, what programs and opportunities are available to them, and how decisions are being made. Transparency should mean more than documents being technically available online; information should be communicated in ways ordinary residents can understand and use.
Third, environmental protection and responsible development. Charles County is growing, but growth cannot come at the expense of our forests, water, infrastructure, traffic conditions, and quality of life. Through zoning, comprehensive planning, budgeting, and development policy, commissioners have significant influence over how and where that growth occurs.
5. What are the major concerns of the constituency in the area under your office’s jurisdiction?
From my conversations and engagement with residents, development and its effect on quality of life are major concerns. Residents are concerned about traffic and congestion, environmental preservation, infrastructure keeping pace with growth, government transparency, and whether residents have enough influence over development decisions.
These concerns are also reflected in recent County public feedback. Charles County’s FY2027 budget-engagement results identified concerns about loss of green space, congestion, changing community character, environmental protection, overdevelopment, and the need for balanced growth. Residents also expressed interest in economic development and local jobs, demonstrating why these decisions require balance and meaningful public participation.
I believe District 4 residents want development decisions made with them, not simply presented to them after the major decisions have already been made.
6. How will you interact with the other parties in office? If applicable, who will you caucus with?
I will work with elected officials from any political party when doing so benefits the residents of Charles County.
Being elected as a Green does not mean that I would automatically oppose Democrats or Republicans. Likewise, I would not automatically support legislation simply because another Green proposed it. My responsibility would be to evaluate policies based on their merits and their impact on the people I represent.
Where we agree, I will work collaboratively. Where we disagree, I will respectfully make my case, provide an alternative, and explain my position publicly.
I would caucus and build working relationships based on issues and shared objectives rather than allowing another political party to dictate my agenda. I am running as a Green precisely because I believe residents deserve an independent voice.
My commitment will be to the residents of District 4 and Charles County first.
A: 1. What types of support are you hoping to get from the Green Party and/or National Black Caucus, besides our endorsement?
Beyond an endorsement, I am hoping to gain mentorship, campaign knowledge, and institutional support from members of the Green Party and National Black Caucus who have previously run for office, managed campaigns, organized communities, or served in elected office.
As a first-time candidate, there is tremendous value in learning from people who have already traveled this road. I would welcome guidance on grassroots organizing, voter outreach, fundraising, messaging, volunteer development, and navigating some of the unique challenges Green candidates face.
I also hope to develop lasting relationships within the Green Party and NBC that extend beyond this election. I want to learn from the organization while also contributing to building a stronger Green presence at the local level.
2. How does your political platform benefit the Black community?
My platform benefits the Black community by putting community well-being, environmental protection, government transparency, and access to public resources ahead of special interests.
One of my major priorities is opposing the expansion of data centers in Charles County. I am concerned about the environmental, infrastructure, energy, water, and quality-of-life consequences of large-scale development and believe communities should have a meaningful voice before projects with long-term consequences move forward.
I also want greater transparency regarding the programs, resources, contracts, opportunities, and services available through county government. Having a resource available means very little if the residents who could benefit from it do not know it exists or cannot easily access it.
For Black residents, particularly those who have historically experienced disparities in access to economic opportunity and government decision-making, transparency and accessibility are essential. My goal is to make county government easier to understand, easier to access, and more accountable to the people it serves.
3. Are you willing to commit to monthly regular updates about your campaign’s progress?
Yes. I am willing to provide monthly updates regarding the progress of my campaign.
I view that communication as an opportunity for accountability as well as mentorship. I would welcome the opportunity to share our progress, challenges, voter outreach, fundraising, volunteer growth, and lessons learned while receiving feedback from experienced members of the NBC.
4. Aside from winning, what do you hope to achieve with your campaign?
Aside from winning, I want this campaign to demonstrate that ordinary residents do not have to wait for someone else to become the change they want to see.
I want people who have never considered running for office, volunteering for a campaign, or becoming politically active to see someone from their community step forward and realize, “I can do that too.”
I also want to help establish a stronger Green presence in Charles County and challenge the assumption that voters must choose between only two political parties. Communities should be empowered to develop their own leadership and advocate for their own agenda rather than allowing political establishments or special interests to dictate that agenda for them.
If this campaign inspires more residents to attend county meetings, question their elected officials, organize around community issues, vote, run for office, or become involved with the Green Party, then we will have accomplished something that extends far beyond one election.
A: 1. Tell us about the diversity on your campaign team. What personnel do you believe you need to run your campaign?
My campaign is currently a small grassroots team consisting of four people: myself and three women. Two members of the team are Black and one is White.
As we grow, I recognize that we need to expand both the size and capabilities of the campaign. One of my biggest needs is additional support with social media and digital communications so that we can increase our visibility and reach more District 4 residents. I also want to recruit additional volunteers for canvassing, phone banking, community outreach, event coordination, and voter engagement.
I believe our campaign team should reflect the community we seek to represent, while bringing together people from different backgrounds who share a commitment to people-centered government.
2. How many Black people do you have on your campaign team?
Including myself, there are currently three Black members of our four-person campaign team.
3. What civic organizations do you belong to? What role have you played in those organizations? Who will support you from those organizations?
I am a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., an historically Black fraternity founded in 1963. Brotherhood, service, leadership, and community involvement are important aspects of my participation in the organization.
I have reached out to my fraternity regarding an endorsement of my candidacy. I do not want to presume the organization’s support before its endorsement process is complete, but I hope to earn the support of individual brothers and the organization through the values and community-centered mission of my campaign.
4. What other Black/African American groups will you seek endorsement from, besides the NBC?
I am currently identifying additional Black and African American civic and community organizations whose missions align with the issues affecting District 4 and Charles County.
I have reached out to Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. regarding an endorsement. I have also submitted an endorsement questionnaire to the Sierra Club, although it is an environmental organization rather than specifically a Black organization.
As my campaign grows, I intend to seek relationships and potential endorsements from additional Black civic, professional, faith-based, and community organizations. My goal is not simply to collect endorsements, but to build relationships with organizations that are actively working to improve the lives of Black residents and the broader Charles County community.
A: 1. How much money do you believe you need to raise to run your campaign successfully?
I believe raising approximately $5,000 would make a significant difference in our ability to run a competitive grassroots campaign for District 4.
Because our strategy is centered on direct voter contact rather than expensive traditional advertising, we can make a relatively modest campaign budget go a long way. These funds would primarily support yard signs, literature and printed materials, targeted social media advertising, community meet-and-greets, volunteer support and meals, and other voter outreach expenses.
My goal is to be responsible with every dollar we raise and direct our resources toward activities that actually help us reach and engage District 4 residents.
2. How will you raise the funds necessary?
Our fundraising strategy will primarily rely on individual grassroots contributions and small-dollar donors.
I want residents and supporters to have ownership in this campaign, whether they can contribute $10, $25, $50, or more. We will raise funds through direct outreach, our campaign website, social media, community events, meet-and-greets, and personal fundraising appeals.
I also believe small-dollar fundraising reinforces the message behind my candidacy: our campaign should be accountable to the people we seek to represent, not large corporate or special interests.
In addition to financial contributions, we will continue building volunteer support because every person willing to knock on doors, make calls, distribute literature, or help organize an event allows us to accomplish more without dramatically increasing campaign expenses.
A: 1. What do you consider to be a successful campaign?
I am running to win, but I believe a successful campaign is also measured by how effectively we engage the people we are asking to represent.
For me, success means going directly into the community, listening to residents, knocking on doors, holding meet-and-greets, and creating opportunities for people to have real conversations with a candidate rather than only seeing campaign advertisements.
I also want this campaign to demonstrate that Green candidates can run credible, organized, community-centered campaigns at the local level. Whether someone has voted Green before or has never considered voting outside of the two major parties, I want them to finish this campaign knowing that they have another choice.
Ultimately, success means building trust with District 4 residents, growing a grassroots organization, increasing awareness of the Green Party, and earning enough of that trust at the ballot box to win.
2. What strategy will you use to run a winning/successful campaign?
My strategy is centered on direct voter contact and grassroots organizing. As a candidate without the financial resources or political machinery of the two major parties, I believe my greatest advantage is being accessible to the people.
I currently have a small group of volunteers, and we will focus heavily on door-to-door conversations, community events, meet-and-greets, voter outreach, social media, and identifying residents who are willing to support the campaign and help us reach others.
I also want to concentrate our resources strategically rather than trying to compete dollar-for-dollar with major-party candidates. The goal is to repeatedly reach District 4 voters through personal conversations, community presence, digital communication, and targeted campaign materials.
3. What role will door knocking, direct mail, phone banking, canvassing, etc. have in your campaign?
Door knocking and canvassing will be the foundation of my campaign. I have committed approximately three to four hours on each weekend day to direct voter outreach, with additional campaign activities occurring during the week as my schedule permits.
Meet-and-greets will also be an important part of the strategy. I intend to host and attend as many community gatherings as reasonably possible so residents can meet me personally, ask questions, and tell me directly what concerns them.
Phone banking will be used by both volunteers and myself to expand our voter contact, particularly as we identify supporters and move closer to Election Day. Direct mail will be used more selectively because of cost, focusing on targeted communications where it can have the greatest impact.
My campaign will prioritize people over expensive advertising. Every door we knock, every phone call we make, and every community event we attend is an opportunity to earn a vote through conversation and trust.
A: My political involvement began through civic and community engagement rather than traditional party politics. While in college, I helped organize voter registration drives because I believed then, as I do now, that people must be actively engaged in the decisions that affect their communities.
I was also involved in community efforts in Southeast Florida advocating for the removal of fluoride from the public water supply. That experience gave me early exposure to grassroots organizing, public policy advocacy, and the importance of ordinary citizens becoming involved in local government decisions.
More recently, I became a registered Green and have become involved with the Green Party and the National Black Caucus. I was drawn to the Green movement because of its emphasis on grassroots democracy and creating political alternatives outside of the traditional two-party system.
2. Have you been engaged in prior campaigns, as a worker or candidate?
No. This is my first time running for elected office, and I have not previously worked on a political candidate’s campaign.
However, I do not view my lack of traditional campaign experience as a lack of civic experience. My background includes voter registration, community advocacy, entrepreneurship, and working directly with people. I am bringing those experiences into my first campaign while continuing to learn the responsibilities of running for office and, more importantly, serving the residents I seek to represent.
A: I am seeking the endorsement of the National Black Caucus because I am a registered Green and believe the Green Party provides an important political alternative for communities that too often feel unheard or taken for granted by the two major parties.
I believe government should put people, communities, and the environment ahead of corporate and special-interest money. Too often, I have watched our major political parties speak about principles during elections while allowing financial interests and political influence to take priority over the well-being of the citizens they were elected to serve.
I chose to run as a Green rather than as an independent because I believe change requires more than individual candidates it requires building a movement. The Green Party’s commitment to grassroots democracy, social justice, ecological wisdom, and nonviolence closely aligns with the kind of community-centered leadership I want to bring to Charles County.
The endorsement of the National Black Caucus would also be meaningful because Black communities need political voices that are willing to challenge the status quo while building alternatives. I want my campaign for District 4 to demonstrate that Green candidates can organize locally, compete seriously, and give voters a principled choice beyond the traditional two-party system.
A: Artiium Arbyummi
Office Sought: Charles County Commissioner, District 4 — Charles County, Maryland
Website: voteartiium.com
2. Why are you running for office?
I am running for Charles County Commissioner, District 4 because I believe that if we want change in our communities, we cannot simply complain about the problems—we must be willing to step forward and become part of the solution.
For too long, voters have been led to believe that their only choices are Democrats or Republicans. My candidacy is about demonstrating that there is another choice and that independent, community-centered leadership can effectively represent the people.
One issue that pushed me to step forward is the proposed expansion of data centers in our community. My current commissioner serves on a committee that has supported the advancement of data center development. I believe major development decisions should begin with the people who will live with their long-term consequences not developers, corporations, or political insiders.
I am running to bring a different kind of leadership to District 4: leadership that listens to residents, protects our communities, demands transparency, and is willing to challenge business as usual.
3. What do you want us to know about you?
I am not a career politician. I am a husband, father, entrepreneur, community member, and resident who decided that complaining from the sidelines was no longer enough.
I believe public office is about service. Government should listen to the people first, protect the long-term interests of its communities, and be accountable for how taxpayer dollars and public resources are used.
I am also running because representation matters. As a Green candidate, I want residents to see that our political choices do not have to be limited to the two major parties. We can build political power from the community level by organizing around people, principles, and policies rather than accepting politics as usual.
My campaign is committed to listening directly to residents, protecting our community from irresponsible development, promoting responsible stewardship of public resources, and ensuring that District 4 residents have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect their families and neighborhoods.
I am entering this race not because I believe I have all the answers, but because I am willing to listen, learn, do the work, and stand with the people I am asking to represent.
A: My top priorities as a Member of Congress would be addressed in a short-, mid-, and long-term framework:
First 100–180 Days (Immediate Priorities):
Introduce and support legislation focused on voting rights protection and anti-suppression measures
Push for criminal justice reform, including accountability measures and sentencing fairness
Advocate for emergency funding to address housing instability and economic hardship
Begin oversight actions addressing corruption, misuse of federal funds, and inequitable resource distribution
First 1–2 Years (Structural Reform):
Work on comprehensive economic development legislation targeting underserved communities
Expand access to healthcare and community-based health resources
Support infrastructure investments that directly benefit rural and urban neglected areas
Full Term Priorities:
Build long-term policies that reduce inequality, strengthen civil rights protections, and ensure sustained economic opportunity for marginalized communities
As a Member of Congress, I do not have the authority to issue executive orders. However, I would draft, co-sponsor, and advocate for legislation that directs executive action in key areas.
If I were in an executive role, I would prioritize orders focused on:
Equity Impact Review Orders: Requiring all federal agencies to evaluate racial and economic impact before policy implementation
Justice System Accountability Directives: Increasing transparency in policing, sentencing, and incarceration practices
Federal Funding Equity Orders: Ensuring fair distribution of federal resources to underserved communities
Community Investment Directives: Expanding access to housing, healthcare, and education in historically marginalized areas
Environmental Justice Enforcement: Prioritizing cleanup and regulation in communities facing environmental harm
I would advocate for targeted, equity-based federal budgeting, ensuring funds are directed to communities with the highest need and greatest historical underinvestment.
Key allocations would include:
Economic Development: Direct investment in Black-owned businesses, small business grants, and job creation programs
Housing: Expanded funding for affordable housing, homeownership assistance, and anti-displacement programs
Healthcare: Increased funding for community health centers and preventive care in underserved areas
Education: Investment in public schools, workforce training, and higher education access programs
Infrastructure:Repair and development of transportation, utilities, and broadband in neglected communities
My approach is based on measurable equity outcomes, ensuring federal dollars close gaps rather than widen them. Funding must be tracked, transparent, and tied to real improvements in community well-being.
If you want, I can also turn this into a one-page “policy platform sheet” that looks like something PACs and caucuses expect from serious candidates—it will strengthen your endorsement package significantly.
A: I will not compromise on core values—justice, equity, and accountability—but I understand that governance requires negotiation. My approach is principled compromise: I will work across the aisle to move legislation forward, but I will not support policies that harm marginalized communities or weaken fundamental rights. Any compromise must move us forward, not backward.
I will push for comprehensive criminal justice reform, including sentencing reform, ending cash bail, increasing police accountability, and expanding reentry programs. I also support federal oversight of misconduct, data transparency, and investment in alternatives to incarceration. The goal is to shift from punishment to rehabilitation and fairness.
I support a Housing First model, prioritizing immediate access to safe, stable housing, combined with wraparound services such as mental health care, job training, and substance abuse treatment. I will advocate for federal investment in affordable housing, tenant protections, and targeted programs addressing racial disparities in housing access.
I support expanding access to affordable, universal healthcare, increasing funding for underserved communities, and addressing social determinants of health such as housing, food access, and environmental conditions. We must ensure equity in care, not just access.
I will advocate for environmental justice legislation that holds polluters accountable, prioritizes cleanup in historically impacted communities, and ensures equitable access to clean air, water, and land. Communities should not suffer because of where they live.
My plan includes targeted public health investments, expanding access to testing, treatment, and vaccines, as well as economic relief for affected families. We must also strengthen healthcare infrastructure in underserved communities to prepare for future crises.
Yes. My platform includes a clear and actionable Black agenda focused on:
Criminal justice reform and accountability
Economic empowerment and small business investment
Access to quality healthcare and education
Protection of voting and civil rights
This agenda is about closing gaps, creating opportunity, and ensuring measurable outcomes for Black communities.
To strengthen the Green Party, we must:
Invest in grassroots infrastructure at the local level
Recruit and train diverse candidates and volunteers
Increase visibility through community engagement and issue-based campaigns
Build credibility by running viable, disciplined campaigns
I will actively help expand participation by engaging underrepresented communities and demonstrating that the Green Party is a serious vehicle for change.
My platform is rooted in intersectionality —recognizing that different communities face unique but connected challenges:
Women: Equal pay, reproductive rights, safety, and leadership opportunities
Black communities: Justice reform, economic equity, and civil rights protection
Latinx communities & immigrants: Fair immigration policies, economic opportunity, and protection from discrimination
Puerto Rico & territories: Self-determination, fair funding, and equitable representation
Full equality, anti-discrimination protections, and healthcare access
Seniors/Elders: Protecting Social Security, healthcare access, and dignity in aging
Working-class people: Job creation, fair wages, and economic stability
Washington, DC Statehood: I support statehood to ensure full representation and voting rights
These issues impact all communities, including White Americans, particularly those who are working-class or underserved. Economic inequality, lack of healthcare access, and government accountability affect people across racial lines.
My campaign focuses on unity through fairness—ensuring that no group is left behind while directly addressing the disparities that disproportionately impact marginalized communities.
My campaign aligns with core Green Party values: grassroots democracy, social justice, environmental responsibility, and accountability. I am committed to: Using clear, people-centered language that reflects these values
Actively recruiting and training volunteers from diverse backgrounds
Building a visible, community-based campaign infrastructure
Translating platform values into real, actionable policy solutions
A: The primary duty of a Member of Congress is to draft, support, and pass legislation that serves the people, while also providing strong oversight of government agencies and ensuring accountability at every level. This includes shaping federal policy, voting on laws and budgets, and advocating for the needs of constituents at the national level.
In addition, Congress is responsible for allocating resources, addressing national priorities, and ensuring that federal programs are implemented fairly and effectively. Just as important is constituent service—making sure the people in the district have access to support, information, and representation when dealing with federal systems.
As a candidate aligned with Green Party or BC values and running independently, I anticipate significant political resistance and institutional pushback-from the two-party system. There are entrenched interests that often resist reform, particularly when it comes to accountability, transparency, and shifting power back to the people.
However, I am prepared to navigate these challenges by building coalitions, working across the aisle, and staying firmly grounded in the needs of my constituents. My focus will be on results, not party labels, and I will work with anyone willing to advance policies that benefit the people.
Yes, I fully support reparations for American Descendants of Slavery. It is long overdue.
Reparations are not just about financial compensation—they are about acknowledgment, accountability, and repair for generations of systemic harm caused by slavery, segregation, and ongoing discrimination. This includes addressing disparities in wealth, housing, education, and access to opportunity.
I support comprehensive legislation that studies and implements reparative solutions, including direct investment in affected communities, economic development programs, and policies that close longstanding racial gaps.
My top three issues are economic development, healthcare access, and protecting Americans’ rights.
Economic Development: Congress can pass legislation that supports small businesses, invests in infrastructure, and brings jobs back to underserved communities.
Healthcare: I support expanding access to affordable, quality healthcare and addressing disparities that impact marginalized communities.
Protecting Rights: Congress plays a critical role in safeguarding voting rights, civil rights, and equal protection under the law through legislation and oversight.
The major concerns in my district include corruption, lack of resources, and limited access to opportunities. Many communities feel overlooked and underserved, particularly when it comes to economic investment, infrastructure, and fair access to government services.
Addressing these issues requires transparent leadership, equitable distribution of resources, and consistent engagement with the community.
I will work across the aisle with any member willing to put people over politics and focus on real solutions. My approach is collaborative but firm—I will advocate strongly for my constituents while remaining open to partnership.
As an independent, I will caucus in a way that best allows me to advance my district’s interests and remain effective in the legislative process, while maintaining my independence and accountability to the people—not party leadership.
A: In addition to endorsement, I am seeking direct financial support, field resources, and strategic partnership. This includes contributions to help fund voter outreach, access to organizing infrastructure, volunteer mobilization, and inclusion in coordinated communication efforts that expand the campaign’s visibility.
I am also seeking guidance, amplification, and access to established networks that can help scale this campaign quickly and effectively. With the right investment and collaboration, this campaign has the potential to reach and mobilize voters at a high level.
My platform is centered on addressing the systemic challenges that disproportionately impact the Black community. This includes criminal justice reform, protection of voting rights, economic development, access to quality education, healthcare equity, and infrastructure investment.
I am focused on creating real opportunities—supporting small businesses, increasing access to jobs, and ensuring fair treatment under the law. My campaign is about accountability and equity, making sure that policies are not only discussed but implemented in ways that produce measurable outcomes for Black families and underserved communities.
Yes. I am fully committed to providing consistent monthly updates on campaign progress, including outreach efforts, fundraising, voter engagement, and overall strategy. Transparency and accountability are central to how I operate, and I understand the importance of keeping supporters and partners informed.
Beyond winning, I aim to inspire and empower others—especially those who have been marginalized—to believe that they can run viable, competitive campaigns and have their voices heard. I want to demonstrate that democracy is real, accessible, and achievable in Tennessee, and the power belongs to the people!
A: My campaign team reflects a strong commitment to diversity across age, background, and lived experience. I have built a team of both young and seasoned individuals who bring energy, wisdom, and a deep connection to the community. This multigenerational approach allows us to combine innovation with experience, ensuring we are reaching voters across all demographics.
To run a successful campaign, I am focused on building a disciplined and effective team that includes: Field organizers and canvassers for direct voter engagement Communications and media support to amplify messaging Digital and data specialists to manage outreach and targeting
Volunteer coordinators to expand grassroots efforts
Compliance and operations support to maintain structure and accountability
This campaign is people-powered, and our strength comes from a diverse, committed team working together with a shared mission.
Currently, I have approximately 20 Black team members actively engaged in my campaign. Representation matters, and I am committed to ensuring that the campaign reflects the community it serves.
I am a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the United States Human Rights Network (USHRN), and local community groups such as the Hollywood Community Association.
Through these organizations, I have been actively involved in advocacy, community engagement, and advancing civil and human rights. My roles have included organizing, supporting community initiatives, and working to address issues impacting underserved populations.
I expect to receive support from individuals and community leaders within these networks who are aligned with my work and long-standing commitment to justice, advocacy, and community empowerment.
In addition to the National Black Caucus, I will actively seek endorsements from a broad coalition of Black and African American organizations that are committed to equity, justice, and community advancement. These include:
Civil rights organizations
Black women’s leadership groups
Faith-based and community organizations
Grassroots advocacy networks
My goal is to build a strong, unified coalition that reflects the voices and priorities of the communities I serve.
A: To run a competitive and effective campaign, I estimate needing to raise a minimum of $100,000, with a target range of $100,000–$250,000 to fully execute a robust, district-wide outreach strategy.
This budget will support: High-volume field operations (canvassing, voter outreach)
Targeted direct mail and literature distribution
Digital outreach and voter engagement tools
Campaign staffing and volunteer coordination
Compliance, data, and voter targeting systems
While this campaign is rooted in grassroots organizing, adequate funding is essential to scale outreach, maintain consistent voter contact, and remain competitive.
My fundraising strategy is built on a combination of grassroots contributions, organizational support, and targeted donor outreach:
Small-Dollar Grassroots Fundraising:
Engaging community supporters through online platforms, events, and direct appeals to build a strong base of recurring donors.
PAC and Organizational Support:
Actively seeking endorsements and financial contributions from aligned PACs, advocacy organizations, and caucuses that support criminal justice reform, voting rights, and community empowerment.
Major Donor Outreach:
Identifying and cultivating relationships with individuals who are aligned with the campaign’s mission and capable of making larger contributions.
Community Fundraising Events:
Hosting local events to both raise funds and strengthen voter engagement.
Digital Campaigning:
Leveraging social media and email outreach to expand reach and drive contributions at scale.
A: A successful campaign is one that achieves direct voter contact with 85–100% of likely voters and ensures that a majority have been exposed to the campaign’s message multiple times before Election Day. Research consistently shows that repeated voter contact increases turnout and persuasion.
Success means: Reaching at least 85% of the district through direct or indirect contact Achieving multiple touch points per voter (door, phone, mail, digital) Increasing turnout among low-propensity and underserved voters Converting engagement into measurable voter support and turnout
For me, success is not just winning—it is building a campaign infrastructure that informs, mobilizes, and empowers voters at scale.
My strategy is a field-first, data-driven campaign focused on high-frequency voter contact and targeted outreach.
Key components include:
Voter Targeting:Prioritizing high-impact precincts, swing voters, and historically underrepresented communities
Contact Goals: Reaching voters 3–5 times each through a combination of canvassing, phone, mail, and digital
Volunteer Deployment: Building and training a field team to scale outreach efficiently
Data Tracking: Monitoring contact rates, response levels, and turnout projections to adjust strategy in real time
Message Discipline: Delivering a clear, consistent platform centered on justice, economic opportunity, and accountability
This approach ensures resources are used efficiently and that outreach is both broad and targeted.
Door Knocking / Canvassing (40–50%)
Primary strategy. Goal: tens of thousands of doors knocked, with a focus on high-density and high-impact precincts. Direct voter contact remains the most effective persuasion tool.
Phone Banking (20–25%)
Used to supplement canvassing, follow up with identified supporters, and reach voters not accessible in person. Goal: thousands of voter calls weekly during peak periods.
Direct Mail (10–15%)
Targeted to reinforce messaging and increase name recognition. Goal: multiple mail touches per targeted household. Digital Outreach & Texting (10–15%) Expands reach, reinforces messaging, and engages younger and harder-to-reach voters.
Community Events & Visibility (10–15%)
Ongoing presence to build trust, increase recognition, and strengthen voter relationships.
This campaign is built on measurable voter contact, disciplined execution, and consistent community engagement—the key components of a winning, scalable grassroots operation.
A: My political foundation is rooted in grassroots organizing, direct action, and community leadership. I began working in politics at just 12 years old, helping my mother win her race by 87 votes through door knocking, canvassing, and direct voter engagement. That early experience shaped my lifelong commitment to people-powered campaigns.
I am a founding member of the Black Lives Matter chapter in Tennessee, where I organized, advocated, and worked on the front lines to address injustice and demand accountability. My work has always centered on mobilizing communities that are often overlooked and ensuring their voices are heard.
I later served on the Democratic Executive Committee, gaining insight into party operations and political strategy. However, my approach has always been independent and people-focused rather than party-controlled.
I have volunteered with the Green Party and have been engaged in their efforts, and I have also been invited to serve on committees. I respect the Green Party’s commitment to grassroots democracy, accountability, and challenging the status quo—values that align with my own.
Yes. I have been actively engaged in campaigns at every level—from grassroots volunteer work to candidate leadership. In addition to helping run a winning campaign early in my life, I have run for public office twice before, and this is my third campaign.
I understand what it takes to build a campaign from the ground up—organizing, mobilizing voters, and connecting directly with the community. I am not new to this work; I am committed to it. Each campaign has strengthened my ability to lead, fight for the people, and deliver real solutions.
My campaign is driven by the people, for the people. I am not backed by political machines—I am backed by the community, and that is exactly how I intend to govern.
A: I am actively seeking the endorsement and financial investment of the National Black Caucus, as well as state and local Black caucuses, because this campaign is directly aligned with the urgent needs of Black communities and underserved populations. My platform centers on people power, criminal justice reform, voting rights protection, economic empowerment, and government accountability—issues that require not only advocacy, but resources to win and implement real change.
This is a viable, high-impact race, and with the right financial support, we can build the infrastructure needed to mobilize voters, expand outreach, and compete effectively. I am asking for your endorsement and direct financial support to help fund voter engagement, media, and grassroots organizing efforts that will ensure our communities are fully represented.
I am also seeking the support of the Green Party of the United States because of its commitment to independent leadership, grassroots democracy, and people-first policies. As an independent candidate, I am building a campaign that is not controlled by traditional party systems, but strengthened through strategic partnerships with organizations that share a commitment to justice and accountability.
I am running independently to maintain integrity and put people over politics—but I am not running alone. I am building a coalition, and I am asking for your endorsement, financial backing, and active support to help carry this campaign to victory and deliver real results for the people.
A: I am running for Congress in the 8th congressional district because our communities deserve real representation, accountability, and leadership grounded in justice. Too many people are left behind by systems that prioritize politics over people. My lived experience has shown me firsthand how broken systems can impact everyday citizens, and I am committed to changing that.
We need leaders who understand the law and will use it to protect the people—not work against them. I am running to fight for criminal justice reform, protect voting rights, expand economic opportunity, and ensure equal protection under the law for all Americans.
This campaign is about restoring trust in government, fighting & standing up for working families, and making sure every voice is heard. I am running to challenge injustice, hold officials accountable, and deliver real results for the people of Tennessee.
I am a community artivist advocate, entrepreneur, and founder of Rise Up America, a grassroots organization focused on empowering underserved communities and protecting civil rights. I also founded LIBK RECORDS where I have been TN’s 1st Lady of HipHop and the PrettyPimp—“Positive Motivated Person”—a platform dedicated to uplifting individuals through culture, empowerment, and advocacy.
My journey has not been easy, but it has strengthened my resolve to fight for fairness and accountability. I bring a fearless, people-first approach to leadership and a deep commitment to justice.
I am running as an independent voice to represent the people—not political parties or special interests. My focus is on creating opportunities, protecting rights, and building stronger, more equitable communities for all.
A: I will shoot for the stars and negotiate down. Always. What will make or brake the Greens when we get to congress is whether we have organizing skills to pull off the demands we are seeking. That is what I can bring to the table. We need experienced organizers that know how ask BIG and in a daring manner, and how to pressure for those demands.
I believe we need to vote for ALL judges, up and down the federal and state judiciaries. Period. That is the most effective way to make them responsive to our communities. We also need citizens committees with policy making power over police departments.
RENT CONTROL is our top issue. It is black issue. It is also a trans issue. It is the MAIN working-class issue that resonates when we talk to people on the streets. We will organize around a Tenant Bill of Rights that includes compensation of rent hikes that cause displacement (essentially rent control), and a ban on school-year evictions and winter evictions. In addition, to tax the rich and cut the military to pay for affordable housing. We want to make 50% of the market affordable, like in Vienna. We will tax all the unoccupied properties of private equity firms, the government can and should purchase. After all, housing is a human right and a public utility.
We need free universal healthcare. I do not even have insurance right now like many of my constituents. We also need to reinstate and expand free universities and do deliberate, targeted campaigns to increase the numbers of black healthcare professionals, but need free higher education for that.
Polluters MUST pay. They don’t pay because they donate big to our political system. We need strong, and well-funded environmental agencies, and FULLY de-carbonize our economy. The highest potential for Green energy production lies in South America and Africa. We need strategic partnerships. We can shift our energy sources from fossil to renewable if we fight for it, and we don’t have much time.
Now, we have to live with the long COVID. If people don’t have access to free healthcare, they cannot get proper treatment.
We need to lay out in writing our ideas for a black agenda, which would consist of at least of reparations and expansion of black history in schools. I want to do it together with the caucus and add even more ideas. The affordability issues are all black issues as alluded to by a previous question. Also, Abolish ICE is a black issue. Not only that, it is one of the MAIN black issues. We have Hatian-Americans and Somali-American being tortured and killed, and also African Americans like Keith Porter. We see black teenagers and children all over the country harassed and zip-tied by DHS.
The Green party has to gain expertise in organizing, and understand how to tie issues like war and imperialism to domestic issues. We are not doing enough working-class messaging at all. People need to understand that the money used to build and maintain 700+ military bases all over the world is the money that is not used to build and maintain 700+ free community colleges and universities. Speaking to people’s economic realities will diversify the base.
To put it simply, the country’s image of itself is that of white, slave-holding, aristocrats. We are REALLY comfortable thinking that is “us”. We do not see us also as children of, and inheritors of Africa and tribal nations. That explains the complete lack of investment and abandonment of black communities. We do not really love America; We are still not ready to love America because that IS America, the WHOLE America. When that day comes, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” will become our national anthem. Men, because of patriarchal structures, deal with a lot self-esteem issues and lack of social skills, which in turn becomes violence against or dismissal of half of humanity. Women many times pick up the familial, communitarian, and social labor that society needs and live overburdened. Hispanics right now are being held en-masse in concentration camps. Puerto Rico should vote on their independence, and so should other territories; I understand their movement is picking up steam. Gender is a spectrum. Trans people are under attack right now and being stripped of their rights and access to healthcare to generate votes for political gain. The seniors in my community are going homeless and displaced because of high rents. I don’t say immigrants; I say our neighbors, our families and our communities. Working class people are always a last consideration, but we need to organize. All demands are really working class demands at the bottom, different working families maybe affected more that other based on identity. But their suffering, in economic terms, disinvestment, poverty, and misery, is a common language. That is what Jesse Jackson, MLK, and the Panther’s rainbow coalition taught us.
A: The primary duties of a congressional office is to serve the communities of my district and the entire United States. I will not waste a second to organize with the office and bring the heat to the duopoly and their leadership who are holding hostage free education, healthcare, and massive social spending on affordable housing because of their donors. I will hold rallies and show up to people’s districts and offices. Key targets and specific demands. There will lots of opposition of the establishment. The most important thing is to speak to the base, organize the base, and hold the base. I experienced it locally already as an organizer.
I 100% support reparations. This is the most clear case of reparations in all of human history. African-Americans need to be made whole again, and I am in favor of DIRECT DEPOSITS AND CHECKS. Law will cease to have any meaning if we don’t compensate American Descendants of Slavery. There are estimates that have been calculated multiple times. If we tax billionaires and corporations and cut the military budget we can do it.
My top three issues are:
1. Rent Control
2. Healthcare
3. Student Debt
I believe in pairing an issue that has been widely felt for a long time like Rent Control, which has had the best response from the people we have talked to on the ground, with an urgent, hot issue like Abolish ICE. We have to concentrate on these demands and rally and organize the American public to bypass party leadership and progressive gatekeeping. We have to be relentless. The parties will fear alienating themselves from their own voters and be perceived as out-of-touch and indolent. These are really popular issues, across constituencies, everything that touches cost-of-living and affordability is a winnable issue. I believe in the Worker’s Strike Back formula from Seattle. You have to have an adversarial relationship with the parties and go directly to the base. In some issues we can caucus with the Democrats and push them further.
A: I would like to collaborate on posts related to black history and issues on social media, and I would ask for a social media post with my picture on a NBC social media template that announces the endorsement. I would request that the Caucus reaches out to black-led organizations that are hosting forums in CD12 and ask for our campaign to be included.
My campaign deliberately frames working-class majoritarian issues as black issues. Black people in the United States are disproportionately affected in every metric of health, and almost every economic indicator. We believe that if we can deliver on our economic demands regarding housing, healthcare, wages, and debt, black communities in the United States can live a better life.
I will continue to attend Black Caucus meetings, and if I am absent, Yannice will attend on behalf of the campaign.
I hope to energize, mobilize, and organize working families in the area.
A: Our campaign team is very diverse, we have African-American members, Hispanics, Arab-Americans, Jewish-Americans, etc. So far we have a head of media and a treasurer, about a dozen sign-ups for volunteers, and a few experienced campaign advisors. The leadership is all black women right now.
I belong to Central Jersey Tenant Union, Somerset County Indivisible, and Central Jersey DSA. I have organized extensively in those organizations in a myriad of issues and campaigns that tackled cost-of-living, union building, state violence, etc. Their leadership does not support me but I am popular with some rank-and-file members. Unfortunately, most organizations are embedded within the Democratic Ecosystem. We need to seek more independent minded pan-africanists, and orgs grounded in black radical traditions, and black socialists.
A: Based on past spending on this district, we need $250,000 to be competitive.
To raise these funds, I will excite the “Old Guard” of the Greens. All those anti-war, environmental movement Greens that have been around for decades. I want to host events where we donate part of what we are fundraising to Rapid Response or General Strike . If we grow sufficiently, we could sell Merch that has catchy phrases in support of specific popular issues. I will do compilation videos of my past work and post them on social media asking for donations. I will try and tap into more progressive religious circles that have a strong social bend. Our campaign will be national. I believe I will end up being the “socialist candidate” for the general so we can specifically target the socialists nationally like Kshama Sawant is doing right now.
A: A successful campaign is one that has solid fundraising and a strong ground game. I believe in what the Panthers use to do, which was using their campaigns to also organize the base.
My strategy consists in using data (American Communities Survey) to ID dense, low -income areas with high percentage of renters to canvass. I will canvass train stations, laundromats, and other places of interest. I have a few thousand dollars in donations already, about to start meeting weekly with the campaign committee, and I have a system to intake volunteers fast, everything is automated. I am using modern campaign software that the Mamdani campaign used and I have lots of good relationships with organizers and progressives and socialists in Central NJ to leverage.
I am devoting 2 days per week to canvassing , but I am trying to develop volunteer leaders that can manage on their own and lead local teams. We have phone banking and emailing capabilities. I see a lot of excitement in people. I believe we can grow exponentially, now that we have schedules, regular meetings and a good website and backend.
What is advantageous of our district is that we have no incumbent and a divided field until June.
A: I have been a tenant union organizer, trained with Tenant Union Federation, and continue to work with Central Jersey Tenant Union. I helped collect signatures from the small businesses in my town to pressure council for a resolution condemning ICE, and to redirect Special Improvement District funds to be spent in activities that brought more foot traffic to the businesses. I helped collect money for displaced seniors due to rent increases, carpooled with folks to the food bank, and started a Rent Ordinance campaign.
I was a field coordinator in Somerset County for Lily Benavides’ Gubernatorial campaign in New Jersey (Green, Latinx Caucus Co-chair).
A: I am seeking endorsement from the National Black Caucus. I ’ve been part of GPNJ for about a year, currenly serve as the Chair of Organizational Improvement and I am 100% a committed Green and I believe in our values.
I seek endorsement from the NBC because I can offer the strongest working-class agenda in my district, probably one of the most diverse in the country. Issues such as housing, healthcare, debt, and wages proportionately affect African Americans, Afro-Latinx, and the Caribbean and African diaspora. We need someone who is willing to fight for us!
This is very much personal to me. My family is Hispanic and African-American. I want to create a future where we can thrive, be healthier, and live dignified lives, free of violence. I support reparations and more black history in our schools curriculum. I am also a pan-africanist and support liberation of the diaspora.
Some of my ancestors were Moors from Southern Spain who were forcibly converted and worked on the ships of the Castilians. Some of my ancestors were already here in the Caribbean for more than 30,000 years. Some of my ancestors came from Congo and Angola, and West Africa. I believe that America should not be a cheap imitation of Europe. We are much more; we are meeting of civilizations, and ALL OF US need to be at the negotiating table. NONE OF US are free until we are all free. I can offer NBC my full commitment to our communities in district 12.
A: My name is Andres Jinete and I’m running on NJ’s 12th Congressional District to organize working families and deliver on rent control, universal healthcare, student debt relief, $25 min wage, and other demands.
I ‘m an experienced organizer and a member of Central Jersey Tenant Union, Indivisible, DSA, GPNJ, GP’s Latinx Caucus, and GP’s YES Caucus.
You may reach me at: [email protected]
Our website is: andresjinete.org
Important info: our treasurer Yannice Crawford is part of the Caucus and I applied for affiliate membership.
A: 1. My understanding of Co Chair is to provide LEADERSHIP on POLICY. And to INSPIRE The current members to become active. BUT!!! To also be in CONSTANT ENGAGEMENT WITH THE BLACK COMMUNITY. To GET THEIR THOUGHTS ON WHATS MEEDED to move The Black Community forward 3. Yes I support Lineage based cash Reparations for Foundational Black Americans.. My plan is based on the study by Duke University professor Dr. Sandy Darity. Author of the book. FROM HERE TO EQUALITY. His study puts the current MEDIAN INCOME WEALTH GAP Between White Americans and Black Americans ( FBA’s) at 350k to about 1000k …. To address this disparity in income a SIN TAX or TRANSACTION TAX on The New York Stock Exchange on CORPORATIONS for $250. Dollars per transaction. And a INDIVIDUAL for $25 Dollars would be implemented. This would generate about $3;Trillion Dollars in tax revenues each year. Enough to implemented a Freedman’s Bank similar to the one proposed after the American Civil War but never implemented.. There are an estimated 43 to 48 million FBA’s…. The wealth gap is currently $350k and growing…
Under this plan. THOSE FBA’s 18 and older would get a MONTHLY Reparations Check of $1,500. Tax Free for 360 Months = 20 years…. That initial CAPITAL INFUSION Into Black American will begin to have what’s called THE MULTIPLIER EFFECT. In The Science of ECONOMICS… In case of death before one receives all 360 months of payments… They can pass on their remaining months to FBA family members. This will begin the long overdue process of FBA’s being allowed to pass down GENERATIONAL WEALTH… Chattle Slavery lasted 200 plus years.. Using this formula also allows GENERATIONS YET UNBORN to get that inheritance as well. There are other tangibles like LAND GRANTS & TAX EXEMPTIONS & FREE COLLEGE TUITION That I think should be Implemented by STATE REPARATIONS COMMISSIONS Because each State has a UNIQUE History with Chattle Slavery… But getting ACTUAL CASH IMMEDIATELY Into FBA’s household is a ACTION ITEM that can be implemented now based on Dr. Sandy Darity’s research around this issue. 4… Reparations Anti Black Hate Crimes agenda.. Environmental Justice. 5….. The same as question 4. . 6. I will work with all Green Party USA members.. I think my leadership style can get the buy I’m to support the language in the proposed platform agenda.