Post Election Day 2018

Changing public perception isn't easy.

Three years ago: I was 18-years-old, fresh out of High School and had no idea the monumental impact politics had on day-to-day life.

Two years ago: I lost my first election. I received over 7,000 votes as a 19-year-old who ran a grassroots campaign illustrating the need for a student's voice on decisions around education.

Last year: I received 9,388 votes and won a nail-biter election by less than 70 votes, becoming the youngest elected official in Jersey City history at 20 years old.

This year: I'm still in awe. The final tally shows that I received 22,667 votes to win my re-election bid, smashing the state-wide record for most votes in a school board election and second only to my running mate Marilyn Roman.

If you told me 3 years ago that a kid like me could run for office I would've laughed. If you told me 2 years ago that I could've won an election while being the last name on the ballot I would've said you were crazy. If you told me last year that over 22,000 Jersey City residents would vote for me, I would've never believed you.

Over the past 3 years, we have built a movement centered around youth voice and youth empowerment. And while I might be the face of this movement, all the credit goes to our volunteers, supporters, and believers. 3 years ago, almost everyone I talked to said I was too young and that there was no room for someone under 30 in politics. But today, I can confidently say we proved them wrong. Thank you.