I am running for mayor of our city because I am tired of seeing wealthy campaign donors and the politically connected drive the agenda in city hall while the concerns of Aurora taxpayers are often ignored. The issue that got me elected to the City Council in 2023 was the use of $68M of taxpayer money to subsidize the Aurora Hollywood Casino's move. Now there are plans to spend $12M to $14M more to widen Farnsworth Ave and make improvements on Bilter Rd. and Church Rd. to accommodate the casino. It never ends.

While many appreciate the downtown revitalization efforts, it is coming at an enormous expense. In addition to the casino, taxpayer money is being used to subsidize hair salons, grocery stores, bars, restaurants, and even luxury apartment buildings. Most of these costs are contributing to our elevated debt levels and are sold to the taxpayers and council with an “over the top,” PR that embellishes successes and ignores realities like the closure of Stolp Island Social and many other “investments.”

I will not be bought and paid for. I am not taking campaign donations from people who do business with the City of Aurora or corporate PACs.  I believe that we need to work towards modernizing Aurora by having publicly-owned high speed broadband, capitalizing on renewable energy credits, attracting better-paying, living wage jobs, and working towards a more representative government.