I’ve always been somewhat political, thanks to the influence of my father and my grandmother. My father served in the Army, and my grandmother worked for the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. I always felt that politics was a politician’s game, but I was constantly upset that nothing ever seemed to get done.

That changed on September 10 of last year. I realized I couldn’t just sit around. I had to do something. I had to get involved. The best place to start is at the local level, so I began paying close attention to local races. I researched how to run for office and how to support local candidates. My plan was to back the legislative candidate who opposed the incumbent in District 26.

By late February, no one had stepped up, so I did.