US Congressional District 5

A: I support reforms that force Congress to do its basic job on time and prevent families, workers, small businesses, and federal employees from being used as leverage in political fights. That means returning to a regular budget process, passing appropriations bills on schedule, and creating automatic continuing resolutions that keep government open if Congress fails to meet its deadlines.

I’ve seen the impact of shutdowns firsthand. As county executive, I governed through a federal shutdown, and I saw how quickly the uncertainty ripples through communities — federal workers missing paychecks, contractors out of work, small businesses losing revenue, and local governments forced to fill gaps. In Maryland, that impact is especially severe because so many families rely on the federal government for their livelihoods. I would work with members of both parties who are serious about fiscal responsibility, but I will not support using shutdown threats to cut essential programs or punish working families.

A: Yes. We need immigration laws that are fair, humane, and actually work. I support securing the border while also creating a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, farmworkers, and longtime residents who are contributing to our communities. We need to reduce backlogs, keep families together, protect asylum for people fleeing violence, and make sure immigration enforcement focuses on real public safety threats, not tearing apart families. Bipartisan progress is possible when we focus on practical solutions: border security, workforce needs, legal pathways, and basic human dignity.

A: No. Members of Congress should not be allowed to trade individual stocks while in office. Public service should be about serving the people, not using inside information or public trust for personal gain.

When I became county executive, Prince George’s County was coming out of a period marked by corruption and a lack of trust in government. I made it a priority to restore integrity — strengthening ethics rules, increasing transparency, and making it clear that government should work for the people, not for personal benefit. We rebuilt confidence by holding ourselves to a higher standard and focusing on accountability at every level. That same approach should apply in Congress. I would support a ban on individual stock trading for members and their spouses, stronger disclosure requirements, blind trusts, and real enforcement with meaningful penalties. People deserve to know their representatives are making decisions in the public interest.

A: As county executive, I didn’t hesitate to stand up when decisions from Washington threatened the people I served. During the Trump administration, I pushed back against policies that would have harmed our residents, whether it was on immigration, healthcare, or economic stability. I made it clear that Prince George’s County would stand up for its families, protect its values, and not be bullied into decisions that hurt our community.

I also stood up to my own party when it mattered. When I took office, the county was coming out of a period marked by corruption and a lack of trust in government. I made it a priority to root out corruption, strengthen ethics rules, and restore transparency and accountability, because public service should be about the people, not personal gain. That same approach guided me in other fights as well, including bringing a new regional medical center to Prince George’s County. For too long, our residents lacked access to quality healthcare, and it took persistence and a willingness to challenge the status quo to get it done. I stood firm because our residents deserved better. In Congress, I’ll bring that same mindset.

A: I will bring executive experience, seriousness, and a record of actually delivering results. I have served as a state legislator, civil rights attorney, Army veteran, and two-term county executive. I have managed large budgets, led through crises, created jobs, expanded access to healthcare, reduced crime, and helped transform Prince George’s County into an economic engine for the region.

I’ve also worked directly with the federal government to get things done, partnering to deliver major projects like the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center, the Purple Line, and other critical investments that created jobs and expanded opportunity. I understand how to navigate federal agencies, cut through bureaucracy, and make government work for people. Congress has too many people who know how to talk and not enough people who know how to govern. I know how to bring people together, make tough decisions, and deliver results for the people I serve.

A: The chaos of shutdown threats and last-minute continuing resolutions isn’t just bad governance — it’s a weapon used against working families, federal employees, and communities that depend on government services. In Congress, I’ll fight to pass automatic continuing resolution legislation so that if Congress fails to meet its budget deadlines, funding continues at current levels rather than holding public servants hostage to political brinkmanship. Maryland’s 5th District is home to tens of thousands of federal workers at Pax River, Indian Head, and across the region — they deserve a representative who will end the manufactured crises that put their livelihoods at risk and make it impossible for agencies to plan and deliver the services Americans count on.

A: Our immigration system is broken, and the status quo serves no one well — not working families, not employers, not the immigrants who contribute to our communities every day. I support reform built on three pillars: a clear, earned pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who hold jobs and pay taxes, including permanent protections for Dreamers; modernizing our legal immigration system by expanding work visas in sectors facing real labor shortages and keeping STEM graduates in America rather than ceding that talent to global competitors; and investing in immigration courts and asylum processing to end the backlogs that leave families in limbo for years. On bipartisanship, the path forward already exists — the bipartisan Dignity Act proved that members from both parties can agree on a framework pairing border security with legal pathways and humanitarian protections. I’ll build those same cross-aisle relationships by framing immigration not as a culture war, but as the economic issue it is: immigrants grow our economy, fill critical jobs, and start businesses that create American opportunity.

A: No — members of Congress should not be allowed to trade individual stocks. You cannot serve the public interest when your personal portfolio is on the line, and 86% of Americans — across party lines — agree. In Congress, I’ll co-sponsor legislation to ban members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from trading individual stocks, requiring existing holdings to be placed in a blind trust or divested entirely. The existing STOCK Act has proven wholly inadequate — members continue to trade on information from classified briefings and closed-door hearings, and the penalties for violations are laughably small. Beyond a trading ban, I’d support mandatory real-time financial disclosure and stronger Ethics Committee enforcement with meaningful penalties — because restoring public trust in government isn’t a Democratic or Republican value, it’s an American one.

A: I have not meaningfully stood up to someone in authority in my personal life. I do plan to stand up to Trump and the MAGA Republicans if elected to Congress.

A: What I bring to Congress is something you can’t manufacture: lived experience. I’ve been a home care worker, a KPMG auditor managing multibillion-dollar budgets, and a healthcare CEO who built a business employing more than 70 professionals caring for seniors and children with chronic illness. Congress is full of lawyers and career politicians — it needs more people who have actually sat at the bedside of a sick family member, navigated the real costs of healthcare, and made a payroll. As a Black woman from Maryland’s 5th District, I also bring a perspective that is still underrepresented in the halls of power — the kind of intersectional lens that catches the gaps in legislation before they become real-world harm to families who can’t afford to wait. And I bring something else that is in dangerously short supply right now: a willingness to be honest with people about what’s broken, who broke it, and what it’s actually going to take to fix it.

A: We must end the cycle of manufactured crises that allow extremists and corporate interests to hold the economy hostage while working families suffer. Government shutdowns hurt federal workers, veterans, seniors, small businesses, and communities that rely on public services, while billionaires and special interests continue to profit.

I support automatic continuing resolutions to prevent shutdowns and guarantee that federal workers and military personnel are paid on time. Congress should not be allowed to use workers’ livelihoods as bargaining chips. I also support ending the repeated use of debt ceiling brinkmanship and creating stronger accountability measures for lawmakers who fail to pass budgets responsibly.At the same time, we need a budgeting process that reflects our values. That means investing in healthcare, housing, public transportation, climate resilience, education, and infrastructure instead of endless corporate tax breaks and giveaways to the wealthy. We must build a government that works for people, not political gamesmanship.

A: Yes. Our immigration system is outdated, inefficient, and too often inhumane. I support comprehensive immigration reform that creates an earned pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who are contributing to our communities, including Dreamers, TPS holders, DED recipients, farmworkers, and essential workers. Families should not live in fear while helping build this country and economy.

As an attorney, I represented workers, including many nurses and frontline healthcare professionals who were TPS and DED recipients, and I advocated on their behalf because many of these individuals are literally saving lives every day. Our immigration policies should recognize the dignity and value of people who contribute so much to our communities and economy. I also support modernizing and speeding up the legal immigration process, reducing backlogs, expanding work authorization opportunities, and ensuring asylum seekers receive fair and timely hearings. We must invest in humane border management, advanced technology, and anti-trafficking efforts while rejecting policies that separate families or criminalize people seeking safety and opportunity. As the daughter of immigrants and someone who has worked closely with immigrant communities throughout my career, I understand both the economic and human importance of immigration.

A: No. Members of Congress should not be allowed to trade individual stocks while serving in office. The public deserves confidence that elected officials are making decisions based on what is best for the country, not their personal financial portfolios.

I support banning individual stock trading for members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children, while allowing investments in broad mutual funds or blind trusts. I also support stronger disclosure requirements with real-time transparency, stricter penalties for ethics violations, and tougher enforcement of insider trading laws for public officials. Too many Americans believe the system is rigged for the wealthy and politically connected. We cannot ask people to trust government while lawmakers are profiting from information gained through public service. Congress should be focused on lowering costs, protecting workers, improving healthcare, and strengthening the economy — not managing stock portfolios. As someone who has spent my career advocating for workers, nurses, immigrants, and everyday families, I believe public service should be about accountability and integrity, not personal enrichment.

A: As an attorney representing nurses and frontline healthcare workers for more than a decade, I often had to stand up to powerful hospital systems and management when workers raised concerns about unsafe staffing levels, retaliation, or workplace conditions that impacted patient care. There were moments when speaking out was not politically convenient, but I believed protecting both workers and patients was the right thing to do.

One example was advocating for immigrant nurses, including TPS and DED recipients, who were serving on the frontlines of healthcare while facing uncertainty about their status. I worked to elevate their voices and push for protections because these workers were literally saving lives every day and deserved dignity and stability. In public office, I have also challenged entrenched interests when I believed our community was being overlooked — whether on healthcare access, environmental protections, utility costs, or corporate influence in government. Standing up to authority is not about conflict for the sake of conflict; it is about being willing to fight for people when they do not have a powerful voice at the table.

A: I will bring a combination of lived experience, frontline advocacy, and local governing experience that is too often missing in Congress. I am not a career insider who has spent decades disconnected from everyday struggles. I have represented nurses, workers, immigrants, and families directly impacted by healthcare costs, housing instability, discrimination, and economic inequality.

As a labor attorney, I spent more than a decade fighting for workers and standing alongside frontline employees. As a local elected official and member of the Board of Health, I have worked on real solutions around healthcare access, emergency room wait times, environmental justice, food insecurity, infrastructure, and economic development. I understand how federal policy decisions affect people at the local level because I see those impacts every day. I also bring a strong progressive voice rooted in coalition building and community engagement. I have worked closely with labor, environmental advocates, immigrant communities, healthcare professionals, farmers, and small businesses to move policy forward. At a time when many people feel disconnected from government, I will bring an accessible, community-centered approach focused on fighting for working families rather than corporate interests and billionaires.

A: The economic impact of government shutdowns is felt more acutely in Maryland’s 5th District than almost anywhere else in the country. The 2025 shutdown was the longest in American history at 43 days, leaving thousands of federal workers furloughed or forced to work without pay. This is unconscionable. While lawmakers have made political gestures by foregoing pay during shutdowns, that doesn’t solve the underlying problem.

I am committed to fighting for the over 80,000 federal workers who call Maryland’s 5th District home. That means standing up to an administration that has spent an inordinate amount of time making their lives harder. I will do everything I can to protect federal employees from political retaliation, prevent harmful shutdowns, and push back against damaging budget cuts. Federal employees deserve their proper benefits, fair pay, and fully funded local federal and military installations. That is why I look forward to supporting the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act, a bipartisan bill that would prevent future shutdowns by requiring Congress to stay in Washington until a budget is passed. Reliable budgeting means more reliable service delivery and federal workers who are not left out to dry when Congress fails to do its job.

A: Maryland families expect the government to be capable of doing two things at once. That means both keeping our communities safe and living up to America’s values. We can and must do both. That means restoring order at the border, enforcing the law fairly, and modernizing a broken immigration system so it works for our economy and our security. As it stands, the Trump administration’s reckless immigration policies undermine our values and create chaos instead of solutions.

To me, securing the border means deploying advanced detection technology, strengthening anti-trafficking operations, and modernizing ports of entry to stop fentanyl and human smuggling while keeping lawful trade moving. Immigration reform also means investing in expanding our immigration courts, which have faced a backlog of hundreds of thousands of cases, putting immigrants in limbo and straining the system. The solution is not to do away with our asylum program, but provide greater capacity to clear the backlog, and leverage modernized technology to resolve claims and prevent abuse of the system. As it stands, ICE in its current form is incapable of achieving these goals, and I believe must be abolished and restructured.

A: I do not believe that members of Congress should be allowed to trade individual stocks, given the depth of asymmetric information and access that is available to members. In Congress, I would support the Stop Insider Trading Act, which bans members of Congress, spouses, and dependent children from purchasing individual stocks. I’d take this a step further and co-sponsor the PREDICT Act, which prohibits members of Congress, the president and others in the executive branch from trading in certain prediction markets. No one in the federal government should be allowed to place bets on events that impact our politics or public policy.

A: One example that stands out is when I took on the chairman of the Economic Matters Committee in the House of Delegates. He was using his position to block a bill I was championing — legislation that would increase civil penalties for employers who knowingly misclassify workers as independent contractors, and for contractors and subcontractors who violate state prevailing wage laws.

Rather than back down, I went to work. I authored written testimony, testified directly on the bill, and pulled every lever available to advance the legislation even in the face of resistance from leadership. The fight wasn’t easy, but it was necessary to protect workers who are too often exploited by those who know exactly what they’re doing.

A: What Congress needs at this moment are more young legislators who don’t arrive in Washington with just the promise of what they plan to achieve — but with a track record of actually doing it: moving bills forward, navigating the system, and delivering real change.

I’m one of the few candidates with a true 360-degree view of politics and public service. I began my career as a congressional staffer, went on to manage campaigns, served as mayor pro tem of the largest city in Prince George’s County, and now serve as a Maryland state delegate. Those experiences have shaped not only how I work across the aisle to deliver results, but also my understanding of the many levers, inside and outside the halls of Congress, that drive meaningful change.

A: Government shutdowns are not a governing strategy. They are a failure of leadership. And the people who pay the price are federal workers who miss paychecks, veterans who do not get their benefits on time, and families who depend on government services. That is not acceptable, and I am done pretending it is a normal way to run the country.

I support automatic continuing resolutions that kick in when Congress fails to pass a budget on time. When a missed deadline currently means a shutdown, it should mean a temporary continuation of current funding levels while negotiations continue. That one change alone would remove the hostage dynamic that bad faith actors use to manufacture crises and extract political concessions. Also, we need to return to regular order in the appropriations process. That means committee markups, floor debates, and actual votes on individual spending bills instead of last minute omnibus packages that nobody has read and everyone hates.I have seen firsthand what happens when a small group of people decides the rules do not apply to them. I will not let that become the standard for how we fund the federal government.

A: I believe America is a nation of immigrants, and our immigration system should reflect both our values and our practical needs. Right now it does neither. The system is broken, and both parties have used that brokenness as a political weapon for decades instead of actually fixing it.

Here is what I would support in a comprehensive immigration bill. First, a clear and fair pathway to citizenship for the millions of undocumented people who have been living and working and raising families here for years. These are our neighbors, our coworkers, our community members. Treating them as criminals serves no one. Second, permanent protections for Dreamers. These are people who grew up here, went to school here, and know no other home. This should have been done a long time ago. Third, smart and humane border security that treats people with dignity while maintaining order. Security and compassion are not opposites. What I will not support is using immigration as an excuse to terrorize communities, separate families, or target people based on how they look or where they came from.

A: Members of Congress should not be allowed to trade individual stocks. I would support legislation that would ban the practice of members trading stock. Additionally, I would support other ethics reforms.

A: I am the only candidate in this race who has already stood up to Donald Trump and his allies when it actually cost something. Not in a committee hearing. Not in a press release. In person, on the floor of the United States Capitol, while a violent mob was trying to stop the peaceful transfer of power.

I did not flinch that day. And I have not flinched since.While others were figuring out where to stand, I was testifying before Congress, speaking out publicly, and filing lawsuits to hold people accountable. I did not wait for it to be politically safe. I did it when it was hard, when it was uncomfortable, and when powerful people were trying to make people like me be quiet.

A: [No response provided]

A: Federal budgeting chaos hurts real people. Here is what I would push for:

Pass a bipartisan Automatic Continuing Resolution law so government never shuts down while negotiations continue. Operations run at current funding levels until a budget passes. No drama, no hostages. Require Congress to pass all 12 appropriations bills individually and on time. Omnibus bills are how waste and bad policy hide. Separate bills force accountability. Implement rolling budget deadlines with automatic pay freezes for members of Congress who miss them. Nothing focuses the mind like a missed paycheck. Create a nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office early warning system that flags budget impasses 90 days out and triggers mandatory negotiation sessions. Move the federal fiscal year start from Oct. 1 to Jan. 1 to align with the new Congress. New members arrive in January; the budget process should start with them. Shutdowns cost taxpayers billions and solve nothing. Maryland’s 5th District has federal workers, contractors, and military families who cannot absorb that instability. They deserve a Congress that does its basic job. I will push hard for structural fixes, not just temporary patches.

A: Yes. The current system is broken for everyone across the political spectrum. Here is where I stand:

Changes I would push for: Modernize the visa backlog system. People waiting 10 to 20 years for legal status is not a system, it is a failure. Increase processing capacity and staffing at USCIS immediately. Create a clear legal pathway for long-term undocumented residents who have clean records, pay taxes, and are embedded in their communities. Deportation after decades of contribution makes no economic or moral sense. Strengthen asylum processing at ports of entry so people are processed legally and efficiently, reducing illegal crossings. Secure the border with technology and personnel, not just wall construction. Smart infrastructure works. Reform the H-2A and H-2B agricultural and seasonal worker programs so businesses can access legal labor without bureaucratic gridlock. Bipartisan path: Border security gives Republicans a win. Legal pathways and worker reform give Democrats a win. I would build a coalition around economic impact data, because both sides respond to numbers. Maryland’s 5th District sits near federal agencies that administer immigration daily. I understand this issue from the ground level, not just a podium.

A: No. Full stop.

Members of Congress should not trade individual stocks. The information advantage they hold is unfair by definition. It is legal insider trading and voters know it. Policies I would support: Ban individual stock trading for all members of Congress and their immediate family members. Investments must move into blind trusts, index funds, or mutual funds within 90 days of taking office. Real-time financial disclosure. Any financial transaction over $1,000 reported within 48 hours and posted publicly online. The current 45-day window is a loophole. Independent ethics enforcement. Remove self-policing. An independent Office of Congressional Ethics with subpoena power and real authority to impose penalties, including fines and removal from committee assignments. Mandatory divestment of holdings in industries a member oversees legislatively. Sitting on the Armed Services Committee while holding defense contractor stock is a direct conflict. That ends. Criminal referral authority for willful violations. Fines alone do not deter millionaires. Maryland’s 5th District residents watch their representatives get richer while voting on legislation that affects their portfolios. That is a trust issue and an integrity issue. I will not trade individual stocks in office. Period

A: I sued the United States military over substandard housing conditions.

As a military spouse, the unspoken rule is clear. Stay quiet. Smile. Your husband’s career depends on your compliance. I rejected that entirely. The conditions my family lived in were unacceptable. When formal complaints were dismissed, I did not accept that as the final answer. I took legal action against one of the most powerful institutions in the world while my husband was actively serving. That decision carried real risk. Career risk. Financial risk. Social risk within the military community. I pursued it anyway because what was happening to my family was wrong, and wrong does not become acceptable just because the other party has more power. Three things that experience confirmed for me: Documentation beats emotion in every institutional fight. Power without accountability protects itself until someone forces accountability. The people most harmed by broken systems are usually the ones with the least protection. That posture does not change in Congress. Maryland’s 5th District deserves a representative who has already proven they will stand up to powerful institutions when it matters. I have the receipts.

A: Lived experience that cannot be faked or legislated into existence.

Congress is full of career politicians and lawyers. What is missing is someone who has actually lived the policies they vote on. I bring: A military family perspective spanning 30 years, 20+ relocations, and a lawsuit against the institution when it failed my family. I know what federal policy looks like from the ground, not a podium. An inventor and entrepreneur’s mindset. I build things. I solve problems with limited resources. Congress spends trillions and still cannot deliver basic services efficiently. A mother and grandmother’s urgency. I am not legislating in the abstract. I am legislating for people I will look in the eye at dinner. Technology literacy. I am actively studying computer sciences while running a campaign and managing multiple businesses. I understand where the economy is going. Unapologetic directness. Maryland’s 5th District does not need another member who speaks in circles to avoid offending donors. They need someone who calls it straight. Congress has enough people who know how to survive in Washington. I know how to fight for people who cannot afford to lose.

A: We are not going to collectively fix shutdowns with slogans. This is about changing incentives and enforcing consequences.

First, I would support an automatic continuing resolution. If Congress fails to pass a budget on time, funding continues at current levels. No shutdown, no disruption to federal workers, military families, or services people rely on. Second, enforce real deadlines with consequences. If Congress does not pass a budget, members of Congress should not get paid. No exceptions. The people doing their jobs should not suffer because Congress did not do theirs. Third, return to regular order. That means passing the 12 appropriations bills on time, through committees, with transparency, instead of last-minute omnibus deals that no one has time to read. Fourth, strengthen oversight. Congress has the power of the purse, but too often it is not used effectively. Agencies need clear direction, and Congress needs to follow through to ensure funds are spent as intended. Finally, reduce political gamesmanship. Shutdown threats are used as leverage, but they create instability for families, businesses, and federal employees. Budgeting should be predictable, disciplined, and focused on results. This is not complicated. Do the job on time, set clear rules, and enforce accountability.

A: Yes, but let’s be clear — both parties aimlessly throw around the phrase “comprehensive immigration reform” but no one actually addresses the underlying issue. The current system is outdated, inconsistent, and not working for the country or the people trying to come here legally. Fixing it requires clear, targeted changes and a willingness to meet in the middle.

First, secure the border with consistent enforcement and modern infrastructure. That includes more personnel, better technology, and faster processing so cases are not stuck for years. Second, fix legal immigration. Expand and modernize visa pathways for workers we actually need, especially in critical industries, and reduce backlogs so people are not waiting decades to come here legally. Third, create a structured, earned pathway for long-term undocumented individuals who are already here, working, and contributing. This should require background checks, payment of taxes, and clear eligibility standards. It is not blanket amnesty, but it recognizes reality. Fourth, implement mandatory, reliable employment verification nationwide so employers follow the law and illegal hiring is reduced. Fifth, address asylum system abuse by speeding up adjudication, setting clear standards, and ensuring legitimate claims are handled quickly and fairly. To get bipartisan support, you have to pair priorities.

A: No, absolutely not! This job is about public service, not personal enrichment. Members of Congress should not be allowed to trade individual stocks. The conflict is obvious. They have access to information and influence policy that can directly impact markets. Even the appearance of conflict undermines trust.

I would support a ban on individual stock trading for members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children. Instead, they should be limited to diversified mutual funds, index funds, or required to place assets in a qualified blind trust. That removes the ability to make decisions based on inside knowledge or legislative influence. Second, strengthen and enforce disclosure rules. The current system under the STOCK Act is too weak and penalties are minimal. Late or inaccurate disclosures should come with meaningful financial penalties and real enforcement. Third, require real-time transparency. Financial disclosures should be easy to access, searchable, and updated quickly so the public can see what is happening without delays. Fourth, establish independent oversight. Ethics enforcement should not rely on Congress policing itself. There needs to be an independent body with authority to investigate and enforce violations. If you are writing the laws, you should not be able to profit from them.

A: During my time on active duty in the United States Navy, I had to address a situation where a senior leader made a decision that created a clear security risk. The directive would have bypassed established procedures that were in place to protect personnel and sensitive operations.

I raised the concern directly and respectfully, explaining the risk, the potential consequences, and the proper course of action based on policy and experience. It was not an easy conversation given the rank difference, but the mission and the safety of our people came first. I provided a clear alternative that met operational needs without compromising security. After that discussion, the decision was adjusted and we moved forward in a way that maintained both mission effectiveness and proper safeguards. That moment reinforced something I have carried throughout my career. Leadership is not about avoiding difficult conversations. It is about having the judgment and the courage to speak up when something is not right, especially when the stakes involve people’s safety and mission success.

A: What’s missing in Congress right now is not intelligence or experience. It’s courage and follow-through.

Too many members know what the problems are, but they are not willing to take risks, challenge their own party, or use the tools they already have. They talk. They posture. They go on TV. But they do not execute. I will. I’m not going to Congress to be another vote or another voice in the crowd. I’m going to use the position the way it is designed to be used. That means aggressive oversight, forcing answers through hearings and subpoenas, and using funding authority to drive real outcomes. Not press releases. Results. I bring something most candidates do not. I have spent my career making decisions where failure had real consequences. People could get hurt. Missions could fail. That changes how you lead. You stop worrying about optics and focus on outcomes. I am not tied to a political machine. That matters. It means I can build coalitions where they make sense, push back when needed, and stay focused on what actually helps people in this district. If you want someone who will use the job to get things done, that’s what I bring.

A: The best way to restore predictability is to hold this administration accountable. We have an unpredictable president who makes decisions on a whim and seems to govern by decree (or rather, tweet). Congress must exert its constitutional authority over the executive branch to bring stability back to our government. I also support paying federal workers during shutdowns; there is no reason to continue the execrable practice of holding workers’ paychecks hostage as political leverage, and I will support legislation to stop it.

A: Having gone through the process myself (with my husband, who immigrated from Australia), I understand how arcane and outdated our immigration laws are. I also have many friends who, through highly educated, are unable to simply immigrate to the U.S. or have no pathway to permanent residency despite studying here. We urgently need to reform our immigration policies to attract global talent. I also support a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients. I will also support abolishing ICE; Americans across the political spectrum have seen ICE devolve into gangsterism and violence, and the agency can’t be adequately reformed. I am not interested in forging bipartisan support for comprehensive immigration reform; Republicans demonstrated in 2024 that even a bill written by a conservative Republican like Sen. James Lankford will be subverted and used as political fodder to gin up racial anxieties among the MAGA base.

A: I do not believe members of Congress should be allowed to trade individual stocks. I would vote to ban congressional stock trading, as well as trading of digital assets. More broadly, we need to address the influence of money in politics. There is massive distrust in our corrupt campaign finance system, and I will work to overturn the Citizens United court decision through legislation. I also support banning corporate PAC contributions and strengthening transparency around lobbying and financial relationships.

A: I occasionally yell at cops who park their police cars where I’m trying to put my fire truck.

A: I’m not a career politician or a political insider. As a first responder, I’ve seen people on their worst days, and I carry that perspective with me. My instinct is to run towards emergencies, not away from them; that’s what I’ve done in my career, and it’s why I volunteered in Ukraine at the start of the war in 2022. I also bring a willingness to fight that has been missing from many establishment Democrats, including our outgoing representative. We’re not going to solve Washington’s problems by continuing to send the same types of insiders and lobbyists back to Washington. Finally, I represent a younger generation that understands how to communicate in today’s media environment. If we want to rebuild trust and actually reach people, we need leaders who can meet voters where they are and make the case clearly and directly.

A: Restoring predictability to the federal budgeting process starts with returning to basic governance — passing budgets on time and removing political brinkmanship from decisions that impact working families. I support enforcing strict timelines for the appropriations process, including penalties for Congress if deadlines are missed, to ensure budgeting is treated as a responsibility, not a negotiating tactic.

I also support automatic continuing resolutions to prevent government shutdowns if a budget is not passed on time. This would keep essential services running, protect federal workers from missed paychecks, and provide stability for contractors and businesses that rely on federal funding. In addition, we need greater transparency and bipartisan collaboration earlier in the budgeting process, so disagreements are addressed before deadlines rather than at the last minute. I will work to bring members from both parties to the table to focus on shared priorities and practical outcomes. Federal workers and families should never be used as leverage in political disputes. My focus will be on responsible governance, long-term planning, and ensuring the federal government operates in a stable, predictable way that people can rely on.

A: Yes. Our immigration laws need targeted updates that restore order, fairness, and efficiency. I support modernizing legal pathways by expanding employment-based visas in high-need sectors and streamlining processing so employers and workers aren’t stuck in years-long backlogs. I would pair that with faster, well-resourced asylum adjudication — adding immigration judges and case staff to deliver timely, fair decisions — while prioritizing enforcement on serious threats like trafficking and violent crime rather than broad, unfocused sweeps.

I also support a bipartisan solution that provides earned, lawful status for long-term residents such as Dreamers and essential workers who have contributed to our economy, alongside mandatory E-Verify with strong worker protections to prevent exploitation and level the playing field for businesses. To build bipartisan support, I would focus on areas of overlap — border management, workforce needs, and timely adjudication — and bring together law enforcement, business leaders, labor, and community stakeholders to shape practical legislation. The goal is a balanced approach that secures the system, strengthens the economy, and treats people with dignity.

A: No — members of Congress should not be allowed to trade individual stocks. The appearance and potential for conflicts of interest undermines public trust, even if no wrongdoing occurs. When lawmakers have access to sensitive information that could influence markets, there must be clear boundaries to ensure decisions are made in the public’s interest.

I support requiring members of Congress, as well as their spouses, to place assets in qualified blind trusts or limit investments to diversified funds such as index funds or mutual funds. This removes the ability to directly benefit from specific policy decisions. In addition, I support strengthening and enforcing the STOCK Act by requiring real-time financial disclosures, increasing penalties for violations, and ensuring independent oversight. Transparency and accountability are essential to restoring trust in government. Public service should be about serving the people — not personal financial gain — and we must have clear rules that reflect that standard.

A: Early in my career, I was part of a sales team where leadership pushed for a short-term deal that would have met quarterly targets but didn’t fully align with the client’s needs. It would have looked good on paper, but I believed it would damage the relationship and our reputation over time. I spoke up, even though it meant challenging a senior decision and risking pushback, and made the case for a solution that was more sustainable for the client.

It wasn’t the easiest conversation, but I stayed focused on the long-term outcome rather than short-term pressure. In the end, we adjusted the approach, delivered a better solution, and strengthened the relationship — which led to more business over time. That experience reinforced something I carry with me today: Leadership isn’t about going along to get along — it’s about having the integrity to speak up, even when it’s uncomfortable, and doing what’s right for the people you serve.

A: I will bring a results-driven mindset grounded in real-world experience — something that is often missing in Washington. I’ve spent my career in business and community leadership solving problems, delivering outcomes, and being accountable for results, not just rhetoric.

I will also bring a stronger focus on everyday impact — making sure policies actually improve people’s lives, whether it’s lowering costs, reducing commute times, or creating real economic opportunity in the district. Too often, the conversation in Congress is disconnected from what families are dealing with day to day. Most importantly, I will bring accessibility and accountability. I will show up, listen, and ensure that people feel heard and see tangible results from their representation.

A: I have worked for the federal government for over 23 years and I understand how shutdowns and threats of shutdowns cause chaos and instability in the lives of federal workers, contractors, their families, and the communities they serve. It is the duty of every elected representative to meet budget deadlines, and pass a workable budget each year, on time. Shutdowns should be an anomaly, not the normal practice of government. There may be times when a budget cannot be passed in a timely way in order to stand against illegal or unethical use of federal funds, but representatives must use every available avenue to coalesce around moving the federal budgeting process forward in a timely manner.

A: I support legislation that offers a roadmap to citizenship for those who are working in America. This includes workers with temporary protected status and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. I oppose enforcement policies that overreach into our communities and spread fear and violence where we work, worship, learn, and live. I would forge bipartisan support by persistently reminding members that the majority of people in this country want to see their friends, neighbors, and colleagues treated with dignity and fairness. I would help members to see the benefit of supporting policies that reflect the values of the people we represent and remind them of the voices against violence that are heard across the country.

A: Members should be allowed to own stocks that are managed by someone other than the Congress member. I support policies to ensure that members are not directly involved in trading stocks or influencing individuals who manage stocks owned by the member. I support policies that ensure transparency of stock trading and ownership activities of members of congress. Members must place the public interest over their own personal and financial interest.

A: I respect authority, and understand that hierarchy is useful in many organizations and systems. However, I am not easily intimidated and have never been one to bow to pressure, manipulation, or mistreatment. I respect authority and I expect to be respected by those in authority. I have many examples of standing up to authority. When a new medical center director transferred to the facility where I worked, she had come from an urban setting and was now director of a small, rural healthcare system. She called a meeting of service chiefs and asked me to report what community resources were available for homeless veterans. She did not believe there were limited resources and only one shelter serving men in the area. When she became loud, dismissive, and inappropriate, I recommended we break for a few minutes for her to gather herself before we resumed the meeting. She immediately calmed her demeanor and though she often tested others, she treated me with professional respect from that day forward.

A: As a social worker, I am a strong advocate, I care about people, I can read the room, and I know how to connect people with the resources they need. I have expertise in developing public-private partnerships and collaborating with people and organizations at local, state, and federal levels in order to better serve people and communities. I am not a career politician, but I have worked with House and Senate VA committee members and staffers. I will represent the people of the 5th District and give voice to their concerns.

A: The first thing we fix is who bears the cost of a shutdown. Every federal agency must maintain a payroll reserve so workers continue to get paid, without interruption. Congress, on the other hand, gets nothing. No paycheck during a shutdown. After 15 days, they forfeit a portion of their annual salary. That doubles at day 30.

A shutdown is a legitimate tool when used with a spine against a hostile threat. The 2025 failure was not proof that the tool is wrong. It was proof that Senate Democrats folded to corporations, not to their constituents.I also support full budget transparency reforms so the American people can see exactly who is engineering the chaos and why.There is also a problem that must be addressed: ICE continues to receive funding, even during a DHS shutdown meant to take control of ICE (ABOLISH it). That loophole defeats the purpose of the shutdown.

A: Abolish ICE. The agency was created in 2003 as a panicked response to September 11th — an attack carried out by foreign nationals on valid visas. ICE was never about security. It was about deciding who looked like a threat. Its enforcement has fallen overwhelmingly on Black and brown communities since day one. That is not a flaw. That is the design. It needs to go. The functions worth keeping already exist elsewhere and can be rebuilt into something that actually serves people.

End all 287(g) agreements. Any officer who continues to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement will face personal civil liability, a federal civil rights investigation, and the withholding of federal funding from their department. When we say no contracts, we mean it. Informal cooperation comes with real consequences.Every undocumented person who has built a life here deserves a clear, earned pathway to citizenship. That means a background check, no serious criminal history, and a process that does not take decades. Dreamers and TPS holders get an expedited path. The per-country visa caps that trap people in legal limbo for years get eliminated. Immigrants also need a legal pathway to attend a funeral or a wedding without losing their status.Detention for non-criminal immigration cases ends. For-profit immigration detention centers close. Asylum cases get processed in weeks, not years.Immigration status and employment must be delinked. Guest workers trapped in a job because their visa depends on it are not workers — they are leverage. That ends.And we have to be honest about why people come here. American trade policy and decades of economic, political, and military interference in other countries have destabilized entire regions. You cannot create the conditions that force people to flee and then criminalize the fleeing.This will not be a negotiation with MAGA. It will be a fight. With a Democratic majority that actually believes the words that come out of its own mouth, we do not need to entertain the right on the question of whether human beings deserve to be treated like human beings.

A: No.

A: It was March 2025. Hundreds of men had been trafficked to El Salvador by our own government. Federal employees were losing their jobs. ICE was on the streets, terrorizing and assaulting neighbors. The country was on fire and my district commissioner, Gilbert “BJ” Bowling, had not said a word.

I had been watching his behavior for years. When those men were kidnapped and trafficked, I remembered that the Vice President of El Salvador had stood on Bowling’s farm. That connection — between the racist behavior I had witnessed for years and what was happening right now — opened the door for the perfect opportunity to call it out.At the next town hall, most people were there to demand term limits, an issue Bowling was against. I walked up to the mic, laid out who he was, with receipts, on record. The man he killed in uniform. The three days of silence after George Floyd, followed by “accountability goes both ways.” The credit he took from the NAACP for work they did. The Republican firm he paid with Democratic votes.The room knew the truth of who he was when my three minutes were up. With the crowd still clapping, he started his defense before I could reach the door. I kept walking. His feelings on the matter were not important.

A: Congress is missing someone who isn’t a career politician. Someone who is not managing relationships with the people profiting off of broken systems. Someone who will say the uncomfortable thing out loud, on the record, and keep walking.I am an organizer. An advocate. Someone who has been doing the work with no one paying me to do it. I have never been funded by corporate PACs. I have never had to unlearn loyalty to donors before I could show up for the people I represent. I come from this district. I have lived the failures of this system — in healthcare, in housing, in the way mental health crises are met with handcuffs instead of help. I know what is missing because I have spent my life working around it.I have been doing this work for over a decade without a title. I was not taking notes for a future candidacy. I just wanted to help. Congress does not need another politician. It needs someone who actually cares.

A: To restore predictability to the federal budgeting process and reduce shutdowns and shutdown threats, I support structural reforms that prioritize stability, accountability, and bipartisan responsibility. As the only candidate in this race with direct experience working with a multitude of federal agencies and navigating complex federal budgets and contracting environments, I understand firsthand how damaging uncertainty is to operations, workforce stability, and service delivery. First, I support returning Congress to regular order by requiring timely passage of all appropriations bills, with stricter enforcement mechanisms to prevent delays from becoming routine. Second, I support biennial budgeting to provide agencies with greater long-term certainty, reduce annual political brinkmanship, and improve planning and efficiency across federal programs. Third, I would support “no shutdown” continuity measures that ensure essential services and federal workers are protected from political impasses, while still holding Congress accountable to complete its budget responsibilities. Finally, I believe restoring predictability requires leadership and accountability—members of Congress must be incentivized to negotiate in good faith and discouraged from using shutdown threats as a political tool.

A: Yes, as a Democrat, I support meaningful reforms to modernize our immigration system in a way that reflects our values of fairness, economic opportunity, and humane treatment, while also ensuring border security and an orderly legal process. Specific changes I would support: 1. A pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrantsI support comprehensive immigration reform that provides an earned pathway to citizenship for long-term undocumented residents who are contributing members of society, pay taxes, and pass background checks. 2. Permanent protection for Dreamers (DACA recipients) Dreamers should have a clear and permanent legal status. They were brought here as children, grew up in the U.S., and are part of our communities and economy. 3. Modernizing the legal immigration system. We need to reduce visa backlogs, reunite families faster, and expand legal immigration channels to reflect workforce needs in healthcare, agriculture, technology, infrastructure, and caregiving. 4. Smart, humane border security support strengthening border management with modern technology, staffing, and processing systems that improve efficiency while respecting due process and human rights. 5. Fair and efficient asylum system. We should ensure asylum seekers receive timely and fair hearings, while reducing backlogs and improving coordination across agencies.

A: Yes, Congressional stock trading rules should be similar to, and in some ways even stricter than, those already applied to the federal workforce in sensitive positions. Many federal employees, especially those in agencies like defense, intelligence, finance, and regulatory roles, are already subject to strict ethics rules that prohibit or heavily restrict conflicts of interest. In some cases, they must divest certain holdings or are barred from participating in decisions that could affect their financial interests. My position: Members of Congress should be held to a comparable or higher standard than the federal workforce, because they are: Writing and voting on laws that affect entire industries and markets. Often privy to nonpublic, market-moving information. Directly responsible for oversight of federal agencies and national policy. Policies I would support: 1. Aligning Congress with federal ethics standards. Extend similar conflict-of-interest rules used in sensitive federal positions to members of Congress, including stricter divestment or blind trust requirements. 2. Mandatory divestment of individual holdings. Require lawmakers to divest from individual stocks while in office, just as many federal employees must avoid conflicts in regulated roles. 3. Blind trust requirement or approved passive investments only.

A: One moment that stands out occurred while I was overseeing federal, state, and local government contracts within a highly regulated procurement and workforce environment. In that role, I was responsible for managing contract performance, ensuring compliance, and coordinating between agency stakeholders and internal teams to deliver services under strict federal guidelines. During one federal contract engagement, I identified that certain operational directives being implemented at the management level were creating inefficiencies and could potentially impact compliance timelines and service delivery outcomes. Although there was pressure to proceed without delay, I raised concerns directly with leadership and requested a review of the implementation approach against contractual requirements, federal procurement standards, and performance metrics. I stood firm in advocating that we pause and realign execution with both the federal contract terms and agency expectations. I supported my position with data from contract reporting requirements, compliance frameworks, and performance benchmarks. As a result of that intervention, leadership agreed to reassess the execution plan. We made adjustments that improved compliance alignment, strengthened reporting accuracy, and ultimately enhanced service delivery outcomes under the contract.

A: I will bring a combination of scientific training, federal contracting experience, and real-world public health perspective that is largely missing in Congress today. First, I bring a science-based, evidence-driven approach to policymaking. With a background in biology and experience in clinical research environments, I understand how to evaluate data, interpret risk, and distinguish between political messaging and scientific fact especially on issues like healthcare, environmental safety, and public health. Second, I bring direct experience working across federal, state, and local government contracting systems. I’ve overseen contracts involving multiple agencies and stakeholders, which gives me a practical understanding of how federal policy is implemented on the ground what works, what fails, and where bureaucracy breaks down. That perspective is often missing in Congress, where many policies are written without understanding operational reality. Third, I bring a deep commitment to healthcare reform shaped by lived experience, including the loss of my mother within a broken healthcare system. That experience drives my focus on affordability, access, and accountability in healthcare policy not as an abstract issue, but as a personal and urgent priority. Finally, I bring a community-rooted, equity-focused perspective, shaped by my work in public health-adjacent organizations, mental health advocacy, and community leadership.

A: Having experienced a federal shutdown firsthand, I’ve seen how political gridlock creates real harm—missed paychecks, childcare disruptions, and deep uncertainty for families who rely on stable federal employment.

I will fight for timely, bipartisan budgeting through enforceable deadlines, automatic continuing resolutions to prevent shutdowns, and greater accountability for lawmakers who fail to do their jobs. Federal workers and their families should never be used as leverage in political disputes—we owe them stability, predictability, and respect.

A: Yes. Our current system is outdated and unjust, and I support comprehensive reforms that uphold human rights and the rule of law. That includes creating an earned pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and long-standing community members, codifying and strengthening protections like TPS, ensuring timely work authorization, restoring and protecting asylum rights, and guaranteeing due process—including access to counsel. I would also prioritize smart border management that is effective and humane, not driven by mass detention or policies that undermine civil liberties.

To build bipartisan support, I would focus on areas where there is shared ground—economic stability, workforce needs, border efficiency, and rule of law—while grounding the conversation in real impacts on families and communities. I would work across the aisle, engage business and labor leaders, and partner with community organizations like CASA and others, to build a coalition that reflects both practical solutions and our core values.

A: No—members of Congress should not be allowed to trade individual stocks. Public service should never be used for personal financial gain, and the appearance of insider advantage erodes trust in government.

I support a full ban on individual stock trading for members of Congress and their immediate families, requiring investments to be placed in blind trusts or diversified funds. I also support stronger transparency rules, including real-time public disclosure of financial activity—released at the same time the public receives relevant information—so there is no advantage based on access or position. Accountability and trust must come first.

A: One moment that stands out was during my time in a previous leadership role at work, when I had to push back on a senior leader over a decision that would have placed an unfair burden on staff and compromised basic workplace protections. I raised concerns directly, backed them with policy and operational realities, and advocated for a solution that protected both the mission and the people doing the work. It wasn’t easy—but it led to a more balanced approach that respected workers while still meeting organizational goals.

That experience reflects how I lead: I don’t stay silent when something is wrong. And it’s exactly why I’m running now. At a time when we are seeing ineffective leadership and chaos at the highest levels of government, I believe we need people willing to stand up—to challenge decisions that harm families, workers, and communities, and to restore accountability. My candidacy is about bringing that same courage to Congress: putting people first, speaking truth to power, and ensuring government works for those it serves.

A: I will bring a combination of real-world public service experience, community-rooted leadership, and the independence to put constituents first—every time. I’ve served inside the federal government, including at the United States Agency for International Development, where I worked on humanitarian efforts to protect vulnerable populations, and I currently serve in the Maryland General Assembly, translating policy into real outcomes for the people I represent. I understand how government decisions affect families because I’ve seen it from the inside—and I’ve lived it alongside my community.

I also bring the perspective of a community member and advocate—someone who listens, shows up, and works alongside people to solve problems, not just talk about them. What’s missing in Congress right now is leadership grounded in service, accountability, and courage—not political ambition. I’m not running to build a career—I’m running to do the job. That means making decisions based on what’s right for my constituents, not what’s convenient or politically safe, and being willing to stand up, speak out, and deliver results that actually improve people’s lives.

A: Dave believes that Congress should move to a biennial budget process and not go on recess or receive a paycheck until a budget resolution is passed. He also supports creating a rule that would automatically enact a continuing resolution at the previous year’s levels, adjusted for inflation, whenever Congress is unable to pass any of its appropriations bills.

A: Our nation was built by immigrants and we must work towards a lasting solution that helps our economy, meets our national security needs, keeps families together, and creates clear pathways for work status and citizenship.

Changes to existing immigration laws are essential, however, immigration has become a politically divisive topic. This makes bipartisan support very challenging, as exemplified by then-candidate Donald Trump pressuring Republicans to not support the bipartisan Border Act of 2024 so he could campaign on immigration as a major problem. Dave believes that our current immigration system is not working for Americans. Dave would disallow the use of non-judicial warrants for ICE to search a private residence and ensure that use of force by ICE agents is investigated thoroughly and expeditiously, as it should be for any law enforcement officer. After the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Dave felt compelled to run for U.S. Congress. As a former FBI senior executive, Dave has experience in law enforcement accountability and use of force investigations. He spent a career protecting the rights of all Americans, including those who have migrated to the country, and will continue to do so in Congress.

A: Dave does not believe members of Congress should be able to trade individual stocks. While there are numerous proposed bills at this time that aim to address this concern, Dave is supportive of the Restore Trust in Congress Act as it is a broader ban and includes stocks, options, futures, and commodities. The vast majority of Americans believe members of Congress should not be able to trade individual stocks and we need a bill that can pass.

A: As the head of the FBI’s Washington, DC Field Office, Dave spent the last two years of his FBI career overseeing the investigation of the January 6th Capitol attack amongst other high profile cases. He was amongst a group of senior FBI officials who protected the rights of FBI employees and demanded due process for them until he was forced out of the federal government in a political purge.

A: Dave brings more than two decades of executive branch experience, with particular experience in the Department of Justice. Dave’s experience managing complex investigations, including matters of public corruption and the use of force by law enforcement officers, is especially relevant to Congress right now.