My Pledge
Credentials and prestigious positions on boards and committees are often seen as the pinnacle of service. These things can be learned in classrooms or gained by mere tenure. What cannot be learned is a deep, lived connection to our city and its resilient people. And that's something I am profoundly grateful to have and truly understand.
Growing up in El Paso, I lived through our community's highs and lows. I remember the overwhelming sense of unity when we came together in times of need, celebrating each other's successes and standing up for those who were suffering. But I also remember the tough times when my family had to rely on food banks, when my mother worked herself to the bone for a better future, and when my father and I walked up Mesa Street, suitcase in hand, searching for a place to stay. These moments are not just memories but the fabric of who I am. I know the sting of looking to our city's leaders for help and finding none.
As an AEMT, I saw a new side of our reality that many people don't see. I witnessed elderly individuals struggling to afford their medications, people teetering on the brink of death, paralyzed by fear of hospital bills they couldn't pay, and the reasons behind the hardships of those who found themselves homeless. Though employed in Dona Ana County, I spent much of my time in El Paso, transporting patients and seeing the true heart of our community. I saw ordinary people become heroes- volunteers who showed up at all hours, bystanders who leaped into action during the crisis, and passing El Pasoans who gave everything they had to help others.
As a realtor, I've watched families with stable jobs and education being defeated by skyrocketing housing costs. I've seen investors swoop in, treating our homes as commodities to be bought and sold, putting profits over people. It breaks my heart to see our community being exploited, with contractors delivering subpar work and pushing residents to accept less than they deserve.
Here's my pledge: I will fight for every El Pasoan with every ounce of my being. I will ensure that every voice is heard and no one is left behind. I will advocate for our city to do what's right by us- the people who call El Paso home. I refuse to accept that anyone should endure the struggles we have faced. It's time for our voices to be heard loud and clear. This is our city; together, we can build a future where no one has to suffer.