U.S. Army veteran with two deployments to Afghanistan. Co-founder of progressive veterans group VetsForward.us. Worked as political director for Terry Goddard's 2010 gubernatorial campaign and as policy analyst at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Elected to Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board in 2020. Elected to AZ House in 2024.
Serving
About
Family & Heritage
Grew up in Arizona, attending public schools in Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, and Gilbert. Latino veteran with deep roots in Arizona's public school system.
Political Career
Before Politics
U.S. Army Reserve — trained in Military Intelligence and Civil Affairs. Deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 (Operation Enduring Freedom) as Civil Affairs team chief, completing 32 reconstruction projects across four provinces including schools, bridges, and women's centers. Deployed again 2016-2017 as Captain commanding Military Intelligence soldiers (Operation Freedom Sentinel). Co-founded VetsForward.us, a progressive veterans group. Co-founded ServeNext.org, which played pivotal role in the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. Worked in U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego's office for veterans outreach (2015). Political director for Terry Goddard's 2010 gubernatorial campaign. Policy analyst at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Field organizer for John Kerry (2004).
Education
Mesa Community College; University of Arizona; BA from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service (International Politics)
Key Issues & Priorities
Public education funding
Gun safety and common-sense gun laws
Veterans affairs
Reproductive rights and abortion access
Democracy and voting rights