PLATFORM AND PRIORITIES
As an educator, I have seen firsthand the struggles Louisiana families face every day — rising costs, stagnant wages, unaffordable childcare, and underfunded schools. Too often, Washington prioritizes politics and special interests over the needs of the people.
That needs to change.
As your candidate for Congress in Louisiana’s 4th district, I will fight to put people first by focusing on policies that strengthen working families, support small businesses, and invest in our children’s future.
Affordability
Universal Pre-K - Supporting Toddlers & Readiness for Tomorrow (START Plan)
Every child deserves a strong START. The average cost of childcare in America is over $13,000 per year - per child! But instead of putting that financial burden on families, what if we invested that money right here at home? High-quality childhood education is one of the strongest economic investments we can make. Research shows that every $1 invested in early learning returns $7 to $10 through reduced government spending on education and criminal justice, increased tax revenue, and a more productive workforce.
Increase Minimum Wage to $15
Louisiana is one of only 5 states that does not have a state minimum wage. The minimum wage in the United States has been $7.25 an hour since 2009. Adjusted for inflation, minimum wage would be $10.95 today. Mike Johnson has opposed raising the minimum wage both in 2019 and 2021 – while he makes $223,500 a year. Increasing the minimum wage to $15 is not the final goal. But it is a good first step to help people in states that do not have their own state minimum wage.
Teacher Financial Stability
Teachers shouldn’t have to go into debt to become educators or spend their own money to do their jobs. Reduce financial burden on educators by expanding tax relief for classroom expenses and supporting efforts to address student loan debt, including supporting legislation introduced by Cleo Fields to provide student loan forgiveness. On average teachers spend $895 or more per year out of pocket on classroom supplies, while the federal tax deduction is capped at just $300. Research shows that a majority of public-school teachers pay for classroom materials themselves, personally subsidizing public education
No Student Goes Hungry
By strengthening and expanding existing school meal programs, this policy supports student performance, improves long-term outcomes, and provides immediate cost of living relief for working parents. Research shows that students who have consistent access to school meals perform better academically, attend school more regularly, and are more likely to succeed long term.
Military Family Cost Stability
We must ensure that families who serve our country are provided or can afford safe housing, access essential services or resources, and maintain financial stability, because military readiness starts at home.
In Louisiana’s 4th District, many military families are facing a growing affordability gap. While Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) increased at both Barksdale AFB and Fort Polk, the increase doesn’t fully cover local housing costs, especially for junior enlisted service members. Due to poor oversight on the privatized housing, many military families pay the difference out of pocket to ensure safe housing for their family.
Safety
Universal Healthcare Access
We need universal healthcare that protects everyone, but especially our most vulnerable populations (children, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities). Specifically, we must address disability support and elderly facility costs, while ensuring healthcare is never tied to employment. Bodily autonomy and gender-affirming care must be protected as fundamental rights.
Safe Water, Reliable Infrastructure
Invest in modernizing water systems, strengthening oversight, and ensuring consistent access to safe reliable drinking water, without shifting the cost onto residents through rising utility bills. In Northwest Louisiana, water infrastructure failures are not theoretical, Shreveport’s systems have received failing grades, while residents face rising fees to maintain basic services. Since 2017, the state’s Safe Drinking Water fee has nearly quadrupled, yet many communities are still dealing with aging and failing systems, reliability issues, and ongoing public health concern due to constant water boil advisories.
Safe Birth Access
Over the past several decades, hospital closures, staffing shortages, and financial pressures have led to the loss of labor-and-delivery units across rural America. In Louisiana, more than a quarter of parishes lack adequate maternity care, forcing women, especially in rural areas and around military installations, like Fort Polk, to travel long distances for basic prenatal and delivery services. At the same time, Black women in the state are more than twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes as white women. Expand access to OB-GYN and birthing care in rural and underserved areas by increasing provider availability, supporting mobile prenatal services, and creating targeted incentives for healthcare professionals to serve high-need communities, including areas surrounding military installation like Fort Polk. This ensures that every mother, regardless of location, income, or background has access to safe, timely care before, during, and after childbirth.
Safe Homes for Service Members
Ensure safe, livable housing for military families by strengthening inspection standards, enforcing timely remediation of hazards, and holding privatized housing providers accountable for unsafe conditions. This includes independent inspections, clear enforcement mechanisms, and protections for families who report issues.
Freedom
Overturn Citizens United
With a poverty rate of 18.2% and a median household income trailing the national average, many residents in the 4th District feel a "void of hope". The influx of outside corporate money into political campaigns often shifts the legislative focus away from local pressure points and toward the interests of wealthy, non-local donors. While the military-industrial complex (Barksdale AFB and Fort Johnson) contributes billions to the regional GDP, these benefits often fail to reach the 41% of residents in rural areas. Citizens United facilitates a political environment where industrial and military contractors can exert disproportionate influence on policy, often at the expense of community-wide investments in childcare, veteran healthcare, and rural infrastructure.
Establish Term Limits for Members of Congress
Serving in Congress was never meant to be a career. People serving in Congress should do so to help their communities. But by having no term limits, we have seen that members of Congress stay in their roles for decades. This has caused younger generations to be locked out of the legislative process. It is time to establish term limits for our congressional members.
Ban Individual Stock Trading
It should not be possible for members of Congress to get rich off their position. In addition to overturning Citizens United and establishing term limits, we must also ban member of Congress from trading individual stocks while in office.
My vision is simple: government should work for the people — not the other way around. By putting families, children, and communities first, we can build a stronger Louisiana and a stronger America.
A better future starts with all of us
Real change doesn’t happen on its own we need to step up and get involved.
If you believe in putting families first, investing in education, and strengthening our communities, we need you on this team.
Every volunteer hour and every contribution helps us reach more voters, share our vision, and build a campaign that truly represents the people.