What’s In It For Me? Someone recently asked me a simple but fair question: “What’s in it for you? Why run for City Council? What do you personally gain from this?” It made me pause for a moment, because the truth is the answer is not about personal gain at all. It is about the place I grew up and the people I care about. I was born and raised in Sacramento, and District 7 is where most of my memories were made. My family is here. My friends are here. The streets, the parks, the small businesses, these are the places that shaped my life. But something has been bothering me over the years. My parents are getting older. And the city around them is not improving the way it should. When I think about why I am running, three things always come to mind: safety, affordability, and small businesses. Those priorities are not political slogans to me. They are personal. When my parents drive somewhere in the neighborhood, I think about whether the streets are safe and clearly marked. I think about whether traffic designs are outdated or confusing. I think about whether road striping is visible when it rains. In fact, just the other day during a rainstorm, I had a hard time seeing the lane markings myself. If it was difficult for me at 34 years old, imagine how much harder it is for someone older. And it is not just my parents. It is my aunts, my uncles, family friends, and the many seniors in our community who deserve streets that are safe and easy to navigate. Then there are the empty storefronts. When businesses close and shopping centers sit quiet, it affects everyday life more than people realize. My parents sometimes have to drive farther just to find basic services, restaurants, or shops. The convenience that once existed in our neighborhoods slowly disappears. That is not just inconvenient. It changes the quality of life in our communities. Affordability is another part of this story. It affects me too. Like many people in Sacramento, I want to be able to live in the community I grew up in without feeling like the cost of living is pushing me out. Housing, utilities, transportation, and everyday expenses add up quickly. And I know I am not alone in feeling that way. Many people want the same thing. They want to stay in their neighborhoods. They want their families close. They want safe streets, thriving local businesses, and a city that feels alive again. The good news is that city leadership can actually help move these things in the right direction. City council members help decide how infrastructure is maintained and improved. They shape economic policies that influence whether businesses open or close. They approve budgets that affect neighborhood investment, public safety, and community services. In other words, they have the ability to help set the direction of the city. But it requires leadership that is proactive and willing to focus on everyday quality-of-life issues. That is why I am running. Not for personal gain, but because I care about this place and the people who live here. I want Sacramento to be a city where parents can age safely, where families can afford to stay, and where neighborhoods feel vibrant and alive again. For me, it really is that simple.
