Issues

If you ask the average American—no matter their political party or ideology—they’ll likely tell you that trust in our government, especially in Congress, is at an all-time low.

According to The Pew Research Center:

"As of April 2024, 22% of Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right ‘just about always’ (2%) or ‘most of the time’ (21%)" (Bell, 2024)

I believe this lack of trust comes from decades of fiscal and social mismanagement, resulting in corruption that has seeped into our government at every level—local, state, and federal.

To put it simply, the people no longer trust the government—not only with their tax dollars, but with their general well-being.

The solution to this mistrust starts with leadership. We need leaders who are committed to being statesmen, putting the greater good of the people above their own personal ambitions. This requires an ethical and moral compass that guides every piece of legislation and every issue a lawmaker advocates for—one that upholds the Constitution of the United States.

It also requires introducing and upholding legislation based on the principles of a Constitutionally limited government with a system of checks and balances.

For example, protecting your right to own a firearm under the Second Amendment, and defending your First Amendment rights to free speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition. We will build on these principles with proposed legislation aimed at limiting the government’s influence in your home and holding Congress accountable to the people, always.

My father and grandfather instilled in me the value of integrity. And my moral compass was further shaped when I gave my heart to Jesus Christ. These influences have given me a strong ethical foundation that guides me to treat others with respect and dignity—regardless of their religion, lifestyle, race, or cultural background, and whether or not they vote for me. My vision is to see our community thrive and to uphold and protect the Constitution of the United States of America.

Together, we can restore political integrity to our government—one statesman, one vote at a time.

*Bell, P. (2024) Public Trust in Government: 1958-2024, Pew Research Center. Available at: https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/06/24/public-trust-in-government-1958-2024/ (Accessed: 14 February 2025). 

The City of San Diego consistently ranks as one of the most expensive places to live in the country. With an average wage of $72,000 per year and the average rent at $3,000 a month, renters are spending nearly half of their income just on housing—without factoring in other essential expenses.*

As of January 2025, the inflation rate in San Diego is 3.8%, higher than the national average of 3%. This means that basic necessities like food and utility costs are soaring, making life even more expensive than almost anywhere else in the United States.

Over 400,000 people are enrolled in CalFresh, the state’s food assistance program—up almost 5% from last year.

And we haven’t even considered childcare costs. In many households, both parents work just to afford rent or a mortgage. Childcare, which can cost up to $2,000 a month, is an additional burden on families trying to make ends meet.

With rising costs for food, utilities, housing, and childcare, families are struggling just to stay afloat. And we haven’t even touched on other essential costs like healthcare and transportation.

Every election cycle, candidates talk about the same issues, but what we continue to see is rising spending overseas and a focus that moves further away from American-made goods. America used to be one of the world’s largest producers of goods, but now we are one of the largest consumers. As a result, the middle class and working families are shrinking.

The problem is clear: we keep electing leaders who are out of touch and no longer understand what it’s like to struggle, to raise a family, or to put food on the table under these impossible financial conditions.

I know what the average family is going through because I’ve lived it—and I’m living it.

If elected to Congress, I’ll bring that lived experience, along with my education, to every piece of legislation I support. There will be a sense of urgency in my office, because I understand what it feels like to be on the edge of financial desperation and hunger.

You’ve elected millionaires from wealthy families, yet the cost of living has only gone up. It’s time for change. Its time to show the political goliath that money is not more powerful than the voice and will of the people.

I’m asking you to elect me to Congress, so we can have an advocate who has lived our struggles.

*Institute, E.E.R. (no date) Cost of Living Data in San Diego, California, United States, ERI. Available at: https://www.erieri.com/cost-of-living/united-states/california/san-diego (Accessed: 14 February 2025). 

San Diego has consistently ranked among the least affordable cities in the U.S. when it comes to housing. The average wage in our city is just over $70,000 per year, yet the cost of housing remains astronomical. For many, rent can consume more than half of their net income (Urban Institute, 2020). This situation is unsustainable for working families, and it disproportionately affects the middle class.

In 1955, a 4-5 bedroom home in the 51st Congressional District cost around $55,000. Today, that same property would set you back approximately $1.3 million (Zillow, 2023). This sharp rise in housing prices has created an environment where the middle class is rapidly disappearing. Even with two incomes, families struggle to afford basic living costs. To afford a home, a family would need an income of over $300,000, a figure well above the average wage for most San Diegans (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022).

Adding to the issue, investors are purchasing roughly 25% of these homes, driving up the price of single-family homes and making it harder for local residents to secure affordable housing (Agarwal & Molloy, 2019). Meanwhile, local government policies, such as the encouragement of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to increase population density, are contributing to the problem. Without adequate planning, these ADUs can overcrowd neighborhoods, lower property values, and degrade the overall quality of life for residents (Lloyd, 2022).

For the average person, living in one of the nation’s most beautiful cities seems like an unattainable dream. Even those who manage to buy a home face the reality of declining property values and quality of life as rapid development and density increases. It becomes a constant struggle to stay financially afloat.

Proposed Solutions:

1. Rent Control: We need stronger rent control measures to ensure that housing remains affordable for working families. Rent hikes should be capped in line with inflation and local wages to prevent displacement.
2. Restricting Rezoning: Local government must impose stricter controls on the rezoning of single-family areas. Allowing such changes without considering the long-term impacts on community cohesion and infrastructure only exacerbates the housing crisis. 
3. Limit Non-Local Purchases: Implement policies to cap the number of properties that non-local investors can buy in single-family zones. This would help limit speculation and ensure that local families, not outside investors, have access to homes.

If we don’t act soon, we risk a housing bubble bursting, causing home prices to plummet. When that happens, not only will many families be unable to afford homes, but even renting will become too expensive for many. The result could be a mass exodus of residents moving to more affordable regions of the state or country, which would lead to a slow economic decline in San Diego.

I am committed to fighting for affordable housing solutions that work for everyone. San Diego should be a place where working families can thrive, not just survive. If elected, I will advocate for the changes necessary to ensure that our city remains an affordable, vibrant place to live, work, and raise a family.

Agarwal, S., & Molloy, R. (2019). The impact of investor ownership on homeownership and affordability. Journal of Urban Economics, 112, 51-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jue.2019.01.002

Lloyd, M. (2022). ADUs and the housing crisis: Planning, zoning, and affordability in California. California Planning and Development Journal, 45(3), 34-47.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2022). American Community Survey: Income and Poverty in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2022/demo/income-poverty/p60-273.html

Urban Institute. (2020). The cost of living in major U.S. cities. Retrieved from https://www.urban.org/research/publication/cost-living-major-us-cities

Zillow. (2023). San Diego home price trends. Retrieved from https://www.zillow.com/san-diego-ca/home-values/

Having spent 10 years teaching in South Korea, I experienced firsthand the power of education to transform lives. I taught students from 3-year-olds to high schoolers. At the beginning of the year, my kindergarten students would arrive knowing little to no English. By the end of the year, many could confidently give speeches in front of their peers. By the time I was teaching high schoolers, we were tackling complex debates, teaching students not just to make arguments, but to critically assess the world around them, detecting fallacies and inconsistencies in logic.

Yet, here in the U.S., we find ourselves in a troubling state. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in 2023, fewer than half—43%—of students met the standard for English, and only 35% met the standard for math (National Center for Education Statistics, 2023). These numbers have only worsened since the pandemic, and the fact remains: when budget cuts are made, education is often the first to suffer.

Teachers are not the problem. In fact, the U.S. has a growing crisis where many of our most dedicated educators are leaving the profession due to burnout and disillusionment. Teachers across the country are expected to do more with less, and increasingly, they’re taking on second and even third jobs just to make ends meet (Ingersoll & Merrill, 2017). How can we expect teachers to fully dedicate themselves to students’ success when they’re worried about how to feed their families or pay their rent?

Education is the foundation of our community’s future. If we fail to invest in the education of our children, we fail to secure our future. It is morally indefensible to expect our children to be prepared for the workforce, yet provide them with inadequate education. They are the next generation of workers and citizens—how can we expect them to thrive if we don't provide them with the tools they need to succeed?

First and foremost, teachers must be compensated adequately. It is shameful that in this country, educators often need to take on additional work simply to survive. Research consistently shows that higher teacher pay leads to better student outcomes (Chetty et al., 2014). If teachers are focused on their students' progress rather than worrying about how to make ends meet, we can expect far better results for our children.

Moreover, class sizes matter. Smaller classrooms have been shown to improve the quality of education, particularly in the early years, where students’ cognitive development is most critical (Finn et al., 2003). But as it stands, many schools are overcrowded, making it harder for teachers to give each student the attention they need. Investing in smaller class sizes is an investment in the future.

Additionally, we must prioritize recruiting and retaining quality teachers. This can be achieved through expanded and incentivized teacher training programs, particularly in underserved areas, which have been disproportionately affected by educational inequity (Darling-Hammond, 2000). These programs should be paired with mentorship, professional development, and adequate support for teachers working in high-needs schools. Funding also needs to be directed toward support services for students, such as lunch programs, to ensure that no child is too hungry to learn.

The question, “Where will we find the money?” is often raised. But we’ve already shown that we can find billions when it’s necessary. The U.S. spent over $60 billion on military aid to Ukraine in 2023 (Congressional Research Service, 2023), so why can’t we allocate similar resources to our own educational system? Education is a long-term investment that pays off in innumerable ways—economic growth, a well-prepared workforce, and a healthier society.

This is not a partisan issue. Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, or independent, we must recognize that the state of education affects all of us. For decades, we have neglected the needs of our own children in favor of others abroad. While global concerns are important, we must ensure that our own citizens are equipped for the future. As the saying goes, you cannot put on another person’s oxygen mask if you cannot breathe yourself. Investing in our children’s education is not just a moral imperative—it is essential for the survival and growth of our nation.

Let’s put our money where our future is! 

*Chetty, R., Friedman, J. N., & Rockoff, J. E. (2014). The long-term impacts of teachers: Teacher value-added and student outcomes in adulthood. National Bureau of Economic Research.

*Darling-Hammond, L. (2000). Teacher quality and student achievement: A review of state policy evidence. Educational Policy Analysis Archives.

*Finn, J. D., Gerber, S. B., & Boyd-Zaharias, J. (2003). Small classes in the early grades, academic achievement, and graduating from high school. Journal of Educational Psychology.

*Ingersoll, R., & Merrill, L. (2017). The status of the teaching profession. Learning Policy Institute.

*National Center for Education Statistics. (2023). The condition of education 2023. U.S. Department of Education.

*U.S. Congressional Research Service. (2023). U.S. foreign aid to Ukraine: Legislative issues and appropriations.

Childcare costs are one of the most significant financial burdens on working families, impacting the entire community, especially in San Diego's 51st Congressional District. On average, San Diegans can expect to pay upwards of $400 per week for childcare (Rothwell, 2020). This financial strain forces many families to make difficult decisions, particularly those in single-parent households or those living paycheck to paycheck.

Consider this scenario: the average household income in San Diego is approximately $72,000 per year (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022). With rent prices averaging $3,000 per month, a typical family is already stretched thin. For many families, the high cost of childcare forces them into a choice between surviving on a single income or shifting to a dual-income household, where one entire paycheck is consumed by childcare expenses. This dynamic not only strains family finances but limits the financial flexibility necessary to thrive.

As a result, more families require government assistance to make ends meet, further burdening public services and limiting local economic growth. When middle-class workers—who have long been the backbone of our economy—struggle to keep their heads above water, the entire economy suffers. When families face constant financial uncertainty, they are unable to contribute meaningfully to the local economy by spending on goods, services, and investments that support job creation.

The Child Tax Credit, while helpful once a year, is not sufficient to address the ongoing monthly challenges families face. Families need a reliable, steady source of support to help them shoulder the cost of childcare throughout the year. Without this, many working parents remain stuck in an unsustainable cycle of financial instability.

Moreover, this is not merely a local issue—it is a national economic challenge. In countries with stronger childcare policies, such as Sweden and Norway, families face significantly lower childcare costs, leading to stronger workforce participation, especially among women. When we provide affordable childcare, we empower parents to stay in the workforce, increase their earning potential, and, ultimately, contribute to a more competitive economy (OECD, 2020).

We need a bold, innovative solution to childcare. I propose creating a universal childcare assistance program that ensures affordable, high-quality childcare for all working families. By expanding access to affordable childcare, we can reduce the financial burden on families, increase workforce participation, and bolster our economy. These policies should not fluctuate based on election cycles—they need to be a permanent fixture in our economic infrastructure.

Together, we can build a more sustainable, equitable future for San Diegans by addressing the childcare crisis head-on.

OECD. (2020). OECD Family Database: Childcare Services. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/els/family/database

Rothwell, J. (2020). The High Cost of Child Care: An Economic Perspective. Brookings Institution. Retrieved from https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-high-cost-of-child-care/

U.S. Census Bureau. (2022). American Community Survey: Income and Poverty in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2022/demo/income-poverty/p60-273.html

Homelessness in San Diego remains a persistent and escalating crisis, despite the city’s substantial investments. To date, over $230 million has been allocated to homelessness initiatives, yet the problem continues to grow, and perhaps more troublingly, the demographic of homeless individuals has shifted. Increasingly, we see people who were once self-sufficient joining the ranks of the homeless (San Diego Homelessness Strategy, 2023). This shift underscores that what we are doing is not working and that we have yet to address the root causes of homelessness.

The cost of living in San Diego has pushed many people to live in their cars, and instead of addressing this economic pressure, we criminalize them (Cunningham et al., 2020). Our policies too often treat homelessness as a criminal issue rather than a public health and housing crisis. For individuals who face addiction or mental health challenges, placing them in shelters without the necessary foundation for success only exacerbates their struggles. Without comprehensive services that address underlying issues such as addiction and mental health, simply providing housing does not lead to long-term stability (Tsemberis et al., 2004).

We must recognize that homelessness can affect anyone. One missed paycheck, a medical emergency, or a single mistake can push someone into homelessness. No one is immune from life’s challenges, and we must remove the stigma that often accompanies homelessness. People who are homeless do not deserve our judgment—they deserve our help. At the same time, citizens have the right to walk through their communities without encountering debris, human waste, or feeling unsafe. Addressing homelessness is not an "either-or" situation. We can balance compassion with a firm approach that maintains public safety while being fiscally responsible.

“We need to have a comprehensive, holistic approach to homelessness”

To truly address homelessness, we need a holistic, multi-faceted approach. Simply providing housing without accompanying services does not work. Housing must be paired with counseling, mental health services, and rehabilitation programs to ensure long-term success (Padgett et al., 2011). Here’s a structured approach to solving the homelessness crisis:

1. Comprehensive Support Services: Housing programs must not only provide a roof over a person’s head but also offer a team of counselors, social workers, and healthcare providers. This multidisciplinary team would help people transition from homelessness to stable housing by providing addiction treatment, mental health care, and job training (Tsemberis et al., 2004).
2. Mandatory Treatment: For those struggling with addiction or mental health crises, rehab and counseling should not be optional. People experiencing these challenges should be required to undergo treatment in order to receive support, as treatment is often the first step to reentering society successfully (Chilcoat & Breslau, 1998).
3. Alternatives to Criminalization: Criminalizing homelessness by issuing fines for sleeping in public or other minor infractions only exacerbates the problem. Instead of fines, we should offer individuals facing homelessness access to mandatory treatment programs or social services to help them regain stability (Cunningham et al., 2020).
4. Camping Bans with Compassion: While camping bans must remain in place to maintain public health and safety, these bans should be accompanied by a broader effort to address the spectrum of homelessness. This includes offering people the support they need to move off the streets and into stable housing (Levinson, 2022). We cannot just push people into shelters without addressing the root causes.
5. Investing in Long-Term Solutions: The city should continue investing in long-term solutions, such as affordable housing development, mental health services, and workforce training. Short-term fixes, such as emergency shelters or temporary housing, are not enough to break the cycle of homelessness. Sustainable, supportive housing should be the goal, with wraparound services to ensure individuals can stay housed permanently (Padgett et al., 2011).

Moving Forward: A Path to Solutions

Addressing homelessness requires a shift in both our policies and our attitudes. Instead of punitive measures, we need a comprehensive strategy that combines affordable housing with robust support systems. By investing in housing-first initiatives paired with comprehensive social services, we can break the cycle of homelessness and provide lasting solutions. This approach not only improves the lives of those directly affected but also enhances the overall well-being and safety of our community.

San Diego deserves to be a city where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. If we work together to address the underlying causes of homelessness—ranging from economic pressures to addiction and mental health—we can create a more inclusive and compassionate community for all. I am committed to advocating for policies that support those in need while ensuring that our streets are safe, clean, and welcoming for all.

Chilcoat, H. D., & Breslau, N. (1998). Investigating the relationship between PTSD and drug use: A review of the literature. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 49(3), 111-124. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0376-8716(97)00208-3

Cunningham, M., Greenberg, G., & O'Flaherty, B. (2020). Homelessness and criminalization: The social impacts of laws on public space. Social Science Quarterly, 101(5), 1921-1939. https://doi.org/10.1111/ssqu.12847

Levinson, J. D. (2022). The economics of homelessness: Addressing affordable housing through policy reform. Journal of Urban Economics, 79, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jue.2022.03.001

Padgett, D. K., Gulcur, L., & Tsemberis, S. (2011). Housing first services for people who are homeless with co-occurring serious mental illness and substance abuse. Research on Social Work Practice, 21(6), 651-661. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731511413155

San Diego Homelessness Strategy. (2023). City of San Diego Homelessness Report. Retrieved from https://www.sandiego.gov/homelessness-strategy

Tsemberis, S., Gulcur, L., & Nakae, M. (2004). Housing first, consumer choice, and harm reduction for homeless individuals with a dual diagnosis. American Journal of Public Health, 94(4), 651-656. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.94.4.651