United States of America — Democratic PartyCandidate for President

I was born and raised in Ohio and my parents taught me the value of hard work, being self-sufficient and being myself (sometimes hard to do in a family of six kids).  I grew up experiencing the daily challenges many Midwest middle class families face and worked a variety of jobs including paperboy, restaurant server, city landscaping summer crew member, pizza delivery and Burger King employee.  

I earned a B.S. in Business at Miami University (Oxford, OH) and will complete a Master's in Government - Policy Analysis from Harvard University School of Extension Studies this May. 

My professional career has been in the financial services and technology industries most recently as a founding employee of an Internet start-up and a Silicon Valley technology company Senior Director of project management.  I learned valuable lessons about dedicating my time to creating a successful venture, collaborating with subject matter experts and developing processes. I witnessed firsthand ordinary people from all nationalities and walks of life build their dream businesses and identified what I believe our country needs to help all citizens prosper and experience their best lives.  I would take pride in being a steward of our diverse population and champion progressive policy changes to lead our country in a new direction.

I am running because I know I have a message which resonates with the majority of our friends and neighbors.  I will fight for all who need help and promote an agenda that will positively reverberate across our nation and across the world.  I decided to further my education and then run for office while witnessing our cherished political institutions deteriorate over the past four years.  I am staying in the race to offer an alternative, strong progressive voice and because I know I can defeat the president even in the Midwest swing states critical to winning an Electoral College majority.

With your support, I will bring our country back from a divisive quagmire and bring common sense and decency to our political discussion.  The tribalism emanating out of party politics is not healthy for our children, ourselves and our nation.  I grew up with various family and friends who identify at the extremes of both political ideologies and I understand how to relate to each group and what both sides need to heal and unite.  I am here to stand up for fairness for everyone in this country. 

My wife and I have been blessed with a healthy, inquisitive and precocious son and I am not going to let our nation go down a dark path because of greed only to leave his generation in dire straits.  But, I am always optimistic about our future and know in my heart that we can defend true progressive values, preserve everyone's God-given and Constitutional rights and put this country in a direction to lead the world in economic prosperity and provide security for every citizen. 

My campaign slogan, “A Time for New Hope” means with my young family at my side, I will usher in a new era of politics focused on the future and what we can achieve together.  I support progressive values with a path to prosperity for the majority of our citizens and will lead from an altruistic belief and care for our families, friends and neighbors.  My platform, Moral Deal will introduce reforms for climate change, K-12 education, a sustainable economy for all, taxes, corporate values, single-payer healthcare and infrastructure. We all must collectively own these responsibilities to be freer, safer, happier and create a brighter future.  

I am not only a Washington outsider but a political outsider and am fed up with the discord which is destroying our country.  I would be one of the youngest and most politically inexperienced presidents, but I believe that is what we need right now to change the system.  My character and Midwestern values have shaped my grit, integrity and ability to connect with people from all walks of life.  I am authentic and want fairness and prosperity for progressives, moderates and conservatives.  

There are certain qualities all presidents must possess which are more important than political experience to be successful and I have them.  A president’s character, stamina, decisiveness, willingness to listen to advisors balanced with his own judgement has led to true measures of achievement.  I will set a moral standard for the nation and be a solid rock for all citizens in times of trouble and will build coalitions domestically, internationally use diplomacy first and always stand up for our American values at home and abroad.