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Archives: Candidates

Jahana Hayes

MoveOn is Proud to Endorse Jahana Hayes for Congress!

Introduction

Jahana Hayes serves as the U.S. Representative for Connecticut’s Fifth Congressional District. Elected in 2018, she is Connecticut’s first African-American Congresswoman. Jahana gained national attention as the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, awarded by President Barack Obama. In this role, she engaged with public education stakeholders nationwide to improve student outcomes.

Personal Life and Community Involvement

Jahana’s journey from poverty and addiction to becoming a Congresswoman is inspirational. Becoming a mother at 17, she persevered, earning multiple degrees and excelling in teaching. She advocates fiercely for equitable education access, inspired by her own experiences. Her decision to run for office was driven by her desire to represent and advocate for her students and community members.

Jahanna Hayes’ Legislative Focus and Achievements

As a Congresswoman, Jahana Hayes focuses on several key issues. Serving on the House committees of Education and Labor, and Agriculture, her priorities include quality education, affordable healthcare, food security, labor rights, agriculture, and environmental protection. Additionally, she champions immigration reform, gun violence prevention, veterans’ issues, social justice, and improved transportation. Her bipartisan efforts aim to bring about significant positive changes.

Jahana Hayes’ Bid for Congress

Jahana Hayes exemplifies resilience and dedication. From overcoming personal challenges to advocating nationally for education and serving in Congress, her journey inspires many. Jahana continues to fight for her community, ensuring that all voices are heard and everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Jahana Hayes is committed to continuing her Congressional work, addressing her constituents’ most pressing issues. Emphasizing equitable education, accessible healthcare, and comprehensive social justice reforms, her campaign reflects her dedication to public service and her desire to continue fighting for the residents of CT-05 at every turn. Jahana’s story and accomplishments highlight her commitment to making a difference and ensuring that every voice is heard in Washington.

Janelle Bynum

MoveOn is Proud to Endorse Janelle Bynum for Congress!

About Janelle Bynum

Janelle Bynum, a mother of four and small business owner, knows her community well and works diligently for its betterment. Her commitment to public service and community development is deeply rooted in the values instilled by her parents, who were both teachers. They taught Janelle that education is the key to creating a better and safer world, a principle she has lived by throughout her life.

Janelle Bynum’s Personal Life and Career

Growing up in an inner-city neighborhood in Washington, DC, Janelle faced the threat of drug violence but remained focused on her education. She earned scholarships and worked hard to achieve her academic goals, ultimately earning a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Today, Janelle lives in Happy Valley with her husband, Mark, and their children. She operates her family’s small business, running four restaurants in the community. In these businesses, Janelle continues to embody the ideals taught to her early in life, mentoring her employees, providing scholarships for their education, and encouraging them to dream big.

Janelle Bynum’s Accomplishments as State Representative

Janelle’s dedication to public service extends to her role as a State Representative, where she has been a fierce advocate for her constituents. She has worked hard to lower the cost of prescription drugs, protect women’s reproductive freedom, safeguard LGBTQ+ rights, build more affordable housing, and address homelessness. Additionally, Janelle has taken on the climate crisis and sought to create pathways for all young people to succeed, whether through a four-year degree or career and technical education. Her willingness to stand up to anyone to ensure the well-being of Oregonians is a testament to her unwavering commitment to public service.

Janelle Bynum’s Bid for Congress

Janelle Bynum is running for Congress to continue her dedication to her community on a larger scale. Her campaign is focused on making Oregon a place where everyone can thrive. She aims to bring her experience as a small business owner and state legislator to the national stage, ensuring that every Oregonian has the opportunity to succeed. Janelle’s priorities include affordability, equity, and sustainable development. Her vision for the future includes a thriving economy, a protected environment, and a community where education and healthcare are accessible to all.

Dave Min

MoveOn is Proud to Endorse Dave Min for Congress!

Dave Min’s Background and Early Life

Dave Min is a first-generation Korean American whose parents emigrated from Korea in 1971. They settled in California, where they raised Dave and his brother. Dave’s early career included roles as an enforcement attorney at the SEC, an economic advisor to Senator Chuck Schumer, and the economic policy director at the Center for American Progress. He later returned to California as a business law professor at UC Irvine School of Law.

Dave Min’s Personal Life

Dave met his wife Jane at Harvard Law School. Jane teaches Family Law, runs the Domestic Violence Clinic, and founded UC Irvine’s Initiative to End Family Violence. Together, they have passed eight bills protecting domestic violence survivors. They are raising their three children in Irvine, appreciating the district’s vibrance, diversity, and excellent weather.

Dave Min’s Accomplishments in the State Senate

Dave Min serves Orange County in the California State Senate. Over the past three years, he has ended gun shows at the Orange County Fairgrounds, secured $2.1 billion in COVID-19 relief grants for small businesses, and made California the first state to recognize reproductive coercion as domestic violence. He has also secured nearly $80 million for wildfire prevention, outdoor space preservation, and green innovation. As a State Senator, Dave has focused on critical issues affecting Orange County and California. His efforts include ending gun shows at the fairgrounds, securing COVID-19 relief funds, and recognizing reproductive coercion as domestic violence. Additionally, he has addressed climate change by obtaining significant funding for wildfire prevention, outdoor space preservation, and green innovation.

Dave Min’s Bid for Congress

Dave Min is running for Congress to ensure California remains a place where everyone has a fair shot at the American Dream. His priorities include safeguarding the environment, promoting education, and ensuring the safety of children. He aims to bring the spirit of openness and innovation to Washington, representing the best of California and America.

Rudy Salas

MoveOn is Proud to Endorse Rudy Salas for Congress!

Early Life and Education

Rudy Salas, a lifelong resident of the Central Valley, has a deep connection to his community. He grew up working alongside his father in the fields, which instilled in him a strong work ethic. Salas later attended UCLA, where he furthered his education and developed the skills that would pave the way for his political career. He made history by becoming the first Latino Bakersfield City Council-member in the city’s 112-year history, marking a significant milestone in his journey.

Legislative Career

In his five terms as a member of the California State Assembly, Salas has been a dedicated advocate for Central Valley families. His legislative efforts have been focused on several key areas, including public safety, workforce development, veterans’ and workers’ rights, clean water infrastructure, and support for small businesses. Salas has consistently worked to address the needs of his constituents, ensuring that their voices are heard and their concerns addressed.

Rudy Salas’ Key Achievements

One of Salas’s most notable achievements came in his final term, where he secured $50 million for various projects in the Central Valley. These funds were allocated to expand local nursing programs, construct an emergency response center, a cooling center, and a clean water well, as well as a new building at Bakersfield College’s Delano campus. Additionally, Salas played a crucial role in saving Kern Medical Hospital from closure, ensuring that it remained open to serve the community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was instrumental in providing small business assistance and distributing protective equipment to residents and frontline workers.

Rudy Salas’ Congressional Bid

Rudy Salas is now setting his sights on a new challenge: flipping California’s 22nd Congressional District. His goal is to ensure that the residents of the Central Valley have a strong and respected voice in Washington, D.C. Salas’s extensive experience and commitment to his community make him a formidable candidate, ready to fight for the needs and rights of his constituents at the national level. He aims to bring the same dedication and advocacy to Congress that he has demonstrated throughout his career in the State Assembly.

Derek Tran

MoveOn is Proud to Endorse Derek Tran for Congress!

Derek Tran’s Early Life and Background

Derek Tran is an Army Veteran, Consumer Rights Attorney, City Commissioner, and Small Business Owner running for Congress to represent Californians, not corporations. As the son of Vietnamese refugees, Derek’s upbringing in Southern California was marked by hard work and sacrifice. His parents opened a corner market where Derek worked every day after school.

Derek Tran’s Military and Legal Career

At 18, Derek enlisted in the Army to give back to the country that gave his family so much. In the military, partisan divisions didn’t matter—everyone worked together to get the job done. Derek aims to bring this collaborative spirit to Congress. After his military service, he attended law school to uphold the rights and liberties his parents valued. Derek chose to start his own law practice in Orange County, focusing on fighting for immigrants, workers, sexual harassment survivors, and consumers rather than pursuing high-paying corporate law jobs.

Derek Tran’s Advocacy and Public Service

Derek has been a staunch advocate for holding corporations accountable, ensuring justice for individuals rather than special interests. Recognizing Southern California’s significant infrastructure and environmental challenges, he served on the Orange Traffic Commission to help address transportation and highway planning. In Congress, Derek plans to secure infrastructure funding for clean energy jobs, public transit, and reducing traffic, directly combating climate change.

Derek Tran’s Personal Life and Community Involvement

Derek is married to Michelle, a pharmacist from Garden Grove. Together, they run a pharmacy in Orange County, helping local businesses and residents during the pandemic through vaccinations and testing. They understand the challenges families face with high drug prices and healthcare costs. In Congress, Derek will work to lower prescription drug prices, protect reproductive rights, and expand healthcare coverage.

Derek and Michelle have three children who attend public schools, and Derek instills the values of hard work, patriotism, and service in them. He also serves on the board of Consumers Attorneys of California and mentors at-risk youth at Sunburst Academy, continuing his commitment to community service and leadership.

Derek Tran’s Bid for Congress

Derek Tran is running for Congress with a commitment to represent the interests of Californians over corporate interests. He plans to bring his military experience of bipartisan collaboration to the legislative process, ensuring effective governance. Derek’s focus includes lowering prescription drug prices, protecting women’s reproductive rights, expanding healthcare coverage, and securing infrastructure investments for Southern California. His campaign emphasizes justice for individuals, environmental sustainability, and economic development, aiming to address the pressing needs of his community.

Missy Cotter Smasal

MoveOn is Proud to Endorse Missy Cotter Smasal!

Background and Career

Missy Cotter Smasal, a veteran, former small business owner, and mother, is running for Congress to bring a brighter future to Coastal Virginia. She served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy and deployed aboard the U.S.S. Trenton during Operation Enduring Freedom. After her military service, Missy settled in Hampton Roads, where she opened and operated a Rita’s Italian Ice for over a decade. Currently, she is the Executive Director of a nonprofit that honors service women through running events and also serves as an adjunct professor.

Community Involvement

Missy is deeply involved in her community. She serves as the Virginia Citizen representative on the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a bipartisan, multi-state body dedicated to Bay restoration and the health of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. For over 20 years, she and her husband, Bryan, an Army Officer, have lived in Virginia Beach, raising their two children who attend Virginia Beach Public Schools. Missy’s community service includes coaching youth sports, leading Girl Scouts, and participating in Clean the Bay Day cleanups.

Missy Cotter Smasal’s Advocacy and Leadership

Missy has been a passionate advocate for school safety in Virginia Beach and supported the city’s ERA resolution. Her dedication to public service is evident in her efforts to ensure children and families in Coastal Virginia have the opportunities they need to succeed. She is a steadfast champion for families, military families, and veterans, committed to standing up for the values of Hampton Roads.

Missy Cotter Smasal’s Congressional Bid

Missy is running for Congress with a focus on enhancing the future of Coastal Virginia. Her military background, business experience, and deep community roots position her as a strong advocate for the region. She aims to bring practical solutions and dedicated leadership to Congress, ensuring that the needs and values of her community are represented and addressed at the national level.

Tony Vargas

MoveOn is Proud to Endorse Tony Vargas for Congress!

Background and Values

Tony Vargas has served Nebraskans as an elected official for the past decade. He learned the values of community, hard work, and perseverance from his parents, who sacrificed everything for a brighter future for their children. Family dinners were a staple, where his parents encouraged him to “stay grounded, but reach for the stars.”

Public Service Career

Tony began his career in public service and has dedicated himself to improving opportunities for all Nebraskans. Starting in 2013, he served on the Omaha Public Schools Board and then moved on to the Nebraska Legislature. As a senator, Tony is known for his civility and willingness to work with anyone to achieve results for Nebraska’s workers and small businesses. He has successfully passed legislation to strengthen public schools, improve healthcare access, promote technology and innovation, and enhance consumer protections.

Tony Vargas’ Education and Early Career

Tony, the first in his family to graduate from college, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Rochester and a Master’s in Education from Pace University. He began his professional journey as a public-school teacher, earning accolades such as “Most Outstanding Teacher” and “Teacher of the Year.” His career spans roles in the non-profit and education sectors, focusing on improving the quality of life and educational opportunities for thousands of children across the United States.

Tony Vargas’ Personal Life and Community Involvement

Tony and his wife, Lauren, reside in Omaha with their two young children, Ava and Luca. They are active parishioners of St. Frances Cabrini Church, where they were married. Tony’s commitment to his community is reflected in both his professional and personal life, where he continues to strive for the betterment of those around him.

Tony Vargas’ Congressional Bid

Tony Vargas is now running for Congress with a commitment to represent the interests of Nebraskans at the national level. He aims to bring his experience in public service and his dedication to community values to Washington, D.C. His campaign focuses on improving education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for all Nebraskans. Tony believes in working across party lines to achieve meaningful results and is dedicated to being a strong voice for his constituents in Congress.

Josh Riley

MoveOn is Proud to Endorse Josh Riley for Congress!

Josh Riley’s Upbringing

Josh Riley, born and raised in Endicott, New York, comes from a working-class family with deep roots in local factories. His upbringing in a resilient community shaped his values of hard work and perseverance. Josh’s mother served as a probation officer, and his sister is a public school teacher, reinforcing his commitment to public service.

About Josh Riley’s Family

Josh is married to Monica, a Washington, DC native with Indian and Ecuadorian heritage. Monica works in the technology sector and they have a two-year-old son. The family’s diverse background and commitment to public service underscore Josh’s dedication to his community and country.

Josh Riley’s Career

Josh graduated with honors from the College of William & Mary and Harvard Law School. He began his career in public service as a Staff Assistant for Congressman Maurice Hinchey and a Fellow on Senator Ted Kennedy’s Labor & Pensions Committee. He worked at the U.S. Department of Labor, focusing on strengthening safety nets, and volunteered in New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina. After law school, he partnered with the American Academy of Pediatrics on a civil rights lawsuit and served as a law clerk for Judge Kim Wardlaw on the U.S. Court of Appeals.

In Washington, Josh served as General Counsel to Senator Al Franken on the Senate Judiciary Committee, successfully passing legislation to protect domestic violence survivors and address the opioid epidemic. He also worked on restoring the Voting Rights Act and combating corporate mergers. In private practice, he filed briefs in the Supreme Court advocating for campaign finance reform, healthcare, religious liberty, and veterans’ benefits.

2022 Campaign – Josh Riley for Congress

In 2021, Josh launched his first campaign for office, winning the 2022 primary election by over 25 points. His campaign focused on grassroots support, making significant voter contacts and outperforming other Democratic House campaigns in New York. Despite being a first-time candidate, Josh received 49.22% of the vote, making it one of the closest congressional elections in the country.

Josh Riley’s Bid for Congress

Josh Riley is running for Congress to give working families a fair shot. Rejecting corporate PAC money, he aims to fight for neighborhoods like his own. His vision includes strengthening the middle class, protecting Medicare and Social Security, addressing climate change, ensuring community safety, and defending democracy. Josh believes in Upstate New York’s potential to rise to challenges and is committed to representing its values in Congress.

 

Kirsten Engel

MoveOn is Proud to Endorse Kirsten Engel for Congress!

Early Life and Education

Kirsten Engel learned the importance of community service and environmental protection early on. She graduated with honors from Brown University and Northwestern University’s School of Law. Her early career included positions at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where she observed the significant influence of bureaucratic red tape and corporate lobbyists.

Personal Life

Kirsten is married to Scott Saleska, a climate scientist at the University of Arizona. They enjoy Arizona’s hiking trails and jogging on the Rillito during weekends. Their daughter, Helene, recently started college. Kirsten’s commitment to her community and environment reflects in her professional and personal life, driving her congressional campaign to bring positive change to Arizona.

Professional Career

Kirsten specialized in environmental and administrative law, filing an amicus brief in the first U.S. Supreme Court case recognizing greenhouse gas emissions’ impact on climate change. She also fought for lead-paint hazard warnings and managed a brownfield renovation program. Kirsten has taught at Tulane, Harvard, and currently at the University of Arizona, where she co-directs the Environmental Law Program.

Kirsten Engel’s Legislative Career

Kirsten’s involvement in her daughter’s school made her aware of the Arizona Legislature’s underfunding of education, motivating her to run for the State House. As a legislator, she fought against education cuts, advocated for affordable community colleges, and promoted workforce development programs. She also protected water supplies, clean energy, and pursued criminal justice reforms. Kirsten opposed attacks on abortion and voting rights, standing up for democracy.

Kirsten Engel’s Bid for Congress

Kirsten is running for Congress to ensure access to affordable healthcare and protect the environment. She aims to support Arizona families and small businesses, fostering an economy with opportunities for everyone. In Washington, Kirsten will continue her advocacy for quality education, clean energy, and democratic rights.

Susan Altman

MoveOn is Proud to Endorse Susan Altman for Congress!

Early Life and Education

Susan Altman is a proud native of New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. She grew up on Center Street in Clinton, attended Clinton Public School and Voorhees High School, and currently resides in Lambertville, Hunterdon County. Sue was a standout basketball player, leading her high school team to local championships and playing college basketball at Columbia University. She also played professionally abroad and earned two graduate degrees from Oxford University in International Policy and Business.

Personal Life

Susan Altman’s deep roots in her community and her dedication to public service define her personal and professional life. Her experiences as an athlete, educator, and advocate shape her vision for a better future for New Jersey. Sue’s passion for her home district and her relentless fight for justice and fairness make her a compelling candidate for Congress.

Professional Career

Sue transitioned from a successful basketball career to becoming a teacher and coach. She led two teams to state championships and became deeply involved in advocating for New Jersey’s schools and students. Sue stood up against then-Governor Chris Christie to protect teachers and combat cuts to public education.

Susan Altman’s Advocacy and Leadership

For several years, Sue has served as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting political corruption in Trenton. She has fearlessly opposed corrupt actors in both parties and fought against the misuse of taxpayer dollars.

Susan Altman’s Bid for Congress

Sue Altman is running for Congress to bring her strong advocacy and leadership skills to the national stage. Her campaign focuses on fighting corruption, protecting public education, and ensuring that the needs of her community are met. Sue’s commitment to New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District drives her bid to represent her constituents in Washington.

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