Why I’m Running

I’m running to give back to the community that’s given me so much. I was born and raised in Corona, California, graduated from Santiago High School, and I have lived in Southern California my whole life.

I grew up in a working class family that was dedicated to service and giving back to our community – my father was a pastor at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, and I will never forget his giving ministry to those in need, counseling families, and running soup kitchens.

I had to work hard to get ahead – I worked as a janitor at our church, as a barista, and played in a number of different bands at night.

But I got to live my American Dream: I started the band OneRepublic and got to tour the world.

And as an artist I experienced firsthand what it’s like to be part of a system where the big guys get richer and where the workers – the artists – still struggle to get ahead. And this is true in so many fields – the playing field is stacked against hard working people.

That’s why I launched my own record company, and I’m proud to say that I’ve helped hundreds of artists, musicians, and workers achieve their dreams through hard work and a fair system.

Now I want to help others live their dreams too – but so much of what made my story possible is under threat today.

The people in charge are screwing people over just to make a buck. Trump, Musk, and these clowns in Washington are cutting cancer research, veterans’ health care, and getting into trade wars- making everything we buy more expensive.

All while working to give billionaires another tax cut they don’t need.

As a father of two young girls, I want to leave a better world for them.

And yet, our Congressman, Ken Calvert, has spent his entire career running for office, rather than solving problems for working families. He’s been in Washington for over 30 years – and we have nothing to show for it while he’s made himself up to $20 million richer. We need a change.