I was born in Ohio and have lived here for all but two years of my life. I have a Bachelor of Science from Ohio State University in aerospace engineering, with a minor in public policy.
I have been an advocate for electoral reform since the 2016 Presidential election, when the winning candidate got a majority of votes (more than half) in neither his party’s primary nor the critical swing states in the general election. This showed me that a fundamental solution was needed to the spoiler problem.
I interned in an Ohio state representative’s office in the summer of 2017, learning about and aiding in policy, constituent service, and how politics really works. That time spent within the system, observing the two-party status quo, made me more aware of what was wrong with it.
While in Maine, obviously prior to my changes in political views, I was a delegate to the Maine Democratic Convention (remotely, it being 2020). I volunteered extensively for an independent candidate for Congress, and advocated to state legislators for elimination of a state minimum milk price to lower costs and thus improve health. As Maine was the first state to use ranked choice voting for federal elections, I had the opportunity to cast a RCV ballot in 2020, and took full advantage, giving my first preferences to Libertarian nominee Jo Jorgensen and independent candidates, secure in the knowledge that my lower rankings for my preferred major-party candidates would ensure they still got my vote if it could matter (in the event, it did not). This confirmed my belief that RCV is easy to understand and use, encourages positive campaigning and finding common ground, and allows newer parties and candidates to win support and influence the result.
In 2024, I declared candidacy for State Representative as a Libertarian, but failed to make the ballot due to signature errors. I have twice been a delegate to the Libertarian National Convention (unlike in the major parties’ conventions, at ours the delegates actually make the decisions), including once as the Libertarian Party of Ohio’s member of the Platform Committee, tasked with proposing amendments to the national LP platform. I am a member of the LPO’s Central Committee.
In my spare time, I enjoy grand strategy games (including modding), distance running, and baking. I love to spend time with my nephew and niece (who devour my brownies and pumpkin bars).
This page lists some (but not all) of those who have substantially shaped my thinking.