Not a Politician,
Just a Guy That Won’t Give Up.
From growing up in Oxnard, to starting a business from scratch, to running for Congress my story isn’t about politics. It’s about people, perseverance, and the place I’ve always called home: Ventura County.

Raised in Ventura County
I grew up in Oxnard, I went to Curren Elementary, Fremont Middle School, and graduated from Pacifica High. This community shaped me — not just in school, but through the people, the challenges, and the lessons that come with growing up in a working-class family. I’m not a politician. I’m a business owner, a neighbor, and someone who understands what it means to build a life from the ground up.
Raised by a Fighter
My brother and I were raised by our mom, Nancy — a hard-working single mother who showed us what grit and faith look like. She survived cancer during my teenage years, beat the same illness that took her own mother’s life, and never let it define her. I watched her lose everything after buying a restaurant that was fraudulently misrepresented — and then build a whole new business from scratch. She never gave up, and neither did we.
Watching her push forward through setbacks taught us both to do the same. That drive led my brother to open restaurants up north, and it pushed me to start my own business here in Ventura County. We didn’t grow up with much, but we grew up with an example — and that made all the difference.
Built, Not Bought
I didn’t take the college route — I went straight to work. I cleaned carpets until the recession hit, then took a job at a large retail chain and worked my way up to assistant manager. The corporate world never really felt right to me — but it did lead me to one great thing: it’s where I met my wife. That alone made the experience worth it.
Eventually, I knew it was time to go out on my own. I took what I’d learned, trusted my gut, and started my first business. It began with carpet cleaning, but over time, it grew into a full restoration company helping families recover from water, fire, and mold damage.
Later, after seeing too many small business owners get taken advantage of by shady marketing companies, I co-founded a digital marketing business focused on helping service-based businesses grow the right way. I know what it’s like to build something from scratch, take risks, and earn trust one honest job at a time.
Why I’m Running
Over the years, I’ve watched our country grow more divided. But I’ve also seen something powerful: when people sit down, talk, and really listen — they realize we all want the same things. Safety. Opportunity. Freedom. A better life for our kids.
I’m running for Congress because Ventura County deserves leadership that listens, works hard, and truly puts people over politics. I’m not backed by special interests. I’m not here to play the political game. I’m here to represent you — your values, your voice, and your future.
A Campaign for Us
This campaign isn’t about left or right — it’s about all of us. The people who wake up early, work late, raise families, build businesses, and try to do the right thing even when no one’s watching. The ones who’ve felt ignored by politics, but keep showing up for their communities anyway.
I’m not here to play political games or climb a ladder in Washington. I’m here to represent the people who make Ventura County what it is — real people with real concerns, real values, and real hopes for the future.
If you’re tired of the noise, tired of being divided, and ready for something different — I’m with you. Let’s bring back integrity, accountability, and common sense. Let’s prove that unity isn’t a slogan — it’s a choice we make, together.
It starts right here, in Congressional District 26.
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