I'm running for Congress

I grew up in public housing on Chicago’s North Side, raised by a fearless single mom who opened her own salon and grandmother who integrated Lincoln Square, refused to quit, and taught me how to stand up for the world I want to see. And my dad was a refugee from Ethiopia who was granted asylum in America, arriving in Edgewater after fleeing political violence. 

And in 2021, I became the first openly LGBTQ+ person and the first Ethiopian-American to serve as an Illinois State Senator. 

In a time of book bans, culture wars, and attacks on working families, we need a champion whose story is anchored in the struggle. As a State Senator, I’ve passed nearly 50 laws erasing medical debt, winning child tax credits, protecting LGBTQ+ rights, protecting public transit, and more – and I've brought millions home for our communities in the process.  

I know what the fight will take. My story is anchored in that fight and I’ve got the scars. I’ve got a bold, people-first movement of people closest to our communities ready to step up our fight in Congress. 

We’ll only win this as a team. Chip in now, and let’s do this!