My Helena roots run deep. I was born and raised here, attended our great public schools, and I’ve been an active member of the community my entire life—from lifeguarding at the public pool and working retail downtown, to volunteering with our local Planned Parenthood and supporting our vibrant small businesses and entrepreneurs.

One of the constant threads throughout my time in Helena has been the work of public service. During my senior year of high school I had the opportunity to be a page for former Representative Mike Menahan, and this experience sparked the passion I carry to this day for public policy and its profound impacts on the lives of our friends, our families, our neighbors and our state.

Over the past decade, I’ve dedicated my professional career to working behind the scenes to elect progressive candidates to the state legislature, the Governor’s Office, the US House and the US Senate. I’ve seen firsthand the way that everyday citizens can shape public policy to improve the lives of Montanans (or, more recently, to make it worse). I have fought to elect folks who I believe share our values and fight for our best interests—folks who fight for affordable housing, lower property taxes, better public schools, more affordable healthcare and prescription drugs, and most of all, the freedom to make our own decisions about our bodies.

While my career has taken me to incredible places across the country, my commitment and desire to make Montana a better place now and for future generations has never waivered. The people of Helena and the people of House District 79 have shaped me into the person I am today, and I am forever grateful to the teachers, mentors, colleagues, and all the people I’ve met along the way.

Now it’s time for me to step out from behind the scenes, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be running for this seat in the state legislature and have the opportunity to apply the skills, knowledge, and passion for public service to give back to the city and the state that inspire me each and every day.