I’m John, and my story is not unique.
I grew up in rural Pennsylvania, surrounded by blue-collar, agricultural, and old coal-mining communities. I'm a proud husband and father to three incredible kids, and my experiences have shaped who I am today. Living and working in these communities, I’ve seen firsthand how rural areas and working families have been overlooked for far too long by both major political parties.
My mom was a nurse, and my dad worked as a carpenter. We lived in a small town that relied heavily on coal mining. My childhood was a slice of the American dream: catching frogs and salamanders in the backyard with my dad, fishing and swimming at the local lake during the summer. We didn’t have much, but we didn’t need much—we had each other, our health, and a strong sense of community. Those memories stay with me and fuel my passion for making sure families in places like mine aren’t forgotten.
When I was five, my father was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a progressive neurological disease that turned our lives upside down. In what felt like an instant, we went from living the American dream to facing a harsh reality. My dad lost his ability to work and provide for our family, and despite his condition, he was denied Social Security disability benefits twice. For over two years, we had no income and depended on programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and LIHEAP to get by. Those programs were our lifeline, and that experience taught me just how vital a strong social safety net is for working families when life takes an unexpected turn.
The challenges we face in childhood leave deep and lasting impacts, and I’ve felt those effects firsthand. At nineteen, I was in a severe car accident. I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, and my head hit the windshield. The aftermath left me with chronic pain, and I was prescribed opioids to manage it. What started as a medical treatment spiraled into a physical dependency that led me into the grip of addiction. That chapter of my life was incredibly difficult, but it shaped my understanding of resilience and the importance of compassionate support for those struggling with similar challenges.
Rewind the clock twelve years ago, and I was lying on my back in a jail cell in a county prison after being arrested for opioid possession for the second time.
There were nights when I felt so lost that I thought the world would be better off without me. I was drowning in despair and thought that ending it all would bring peace. But one night, everything changed. As I looked at a picture of my beautiful wife, pregnant with our daughter side by side with our son, I realized I had to make a choice. I made a commitment to get better, for myself and for them. I was released from jail, but I knew I wasn’t free yet. Addiction had taken so much from me—my career, my dignity, and almost my family. But with an incredible support system, I took recovery one day at a time.
Through this painful journey, I saw how unjust our system is, especially to non-violent offenders caught in the grip of addiction. This realization pushed me to take action. In 2014, I became deeply involved in the fight to legalize medical marijuana, motivated by the hope that people like my father, who had suffered chronic pain for decades, could finally get the treatment they needed. I began meeting with police officers, lawmakers, and activists, determined to make a difference. That was where my political activism began.
From there, I expanded my focus to raise awareness about addiction and the harsh, outdated systems that continue to harm so many. I knew that activism alone wasn’t enough to change the system—we needed to reshape it from within. In 2019, I ran for state representative in Pennsylvania, a deeply conservative district, because I believed it was time to bring real change. While I didn’t win, we raised more funds and gained more votes than any candidate in that district's history. We worked tirelessly during the COVID pandemic, helping to drive the vote for President Biden, knocking on ten thousand plus doors- and it’s fair to say that Pennsylvania’s votes played a decisive role in that pivotal election.
About 4 years ago my family and I decided to relocate to Severance, Colorado. Making the move was an easy decision for us. I had been coming to stay with my aunt and uncle in Boulder and Estes Park since I was five years old, spending summers and winters in this beautiful state. As a child, I was always captivated by Colorado’s breathtaking natural landscapes, and over the years, my connection to this state has only deepened. It feels like home, and being here has further fueled my desire to make a difference.
I’ve never stopped fighting for a better country, one that values compassion and fairness for all. Throughout my journey, I’ve remained dedicated to advocating for addiction recovery, helping people get the treatment they desperately need, and pushing for public policies that prioritize care over punishment. I believe in the power of empathy and understand how essential it is to offer support to those who are struggling with addiction.
In 2022, I worked as a field director for a local campaign for state representative in Northern Colorado and volunteered with the Colorado Democratic Party. I met some wonderful people along the way. The experience reinforced my belief in the power of grassroots efforts and the importance of continuing to push for meaningful change, no matter the obstacles.
Colorado is a state rich in energy and agriculture, with regions that are vital to our nation's success. Yet for generations, both major political parties have neglected the needs of these communities, leaving them behind in favor of corporate interests. It’s time for that to change.
We need a resonant message of economic populism that prioritizes hardworking families, not big business. Colorado's Fourth Congressional District, vast and diverse, is home to rural farming towns and energy hubs, each with unique challenges. Our district needs a bold, unconventional representative—someone willing to break from the status quo and bring a fresh vision to every corner.
I envision a Colorado where working people have access to affordable healthcare, where farmers thrive without being crushed by corporate monopolies, and where energy workers are supported in our transition to clean energy. This district deserves someone who will champion policies that create good jobs, protect the environment, and give every community a voice in Washington.
This is a call for those who have been forgotten, who are tired of watching politicians serve corporate interests. We can unite rural and urban communities through fairness, justice, and progress. It's time to elect a leader who will fight for every family, worker, and small business in this district. Together, we will bring change to every corner and make sure this district’s needs are finally heard.
I chose to step forward to flip CD-4.
Then Lauren Boebert became my congresswoman!
It will take a bold coalition of Democrats, common-sense Republicans and independents to challenge the greed and corruption that dominate Washington, D.C. For too long, both parties have prioritized the interests of the few over the needs of working families. I believe I can do more than my primary opponent to motivate the base, build coalitions, and create the most exciting and impactful campaign Colorado has seen.
I’m running to build a movement that puts working families first. The issues we face—whether it’s the opioid crisis, climate change, rebuilding manufacturing, or creating good-paying jobs—are real and urgent. We need a government that works for us, not corporate interests. Together, we can fight for the policies that will strengthen our communities, rebuild our economy, and protect our future.
We must take a stand against autocratic nations like Russia and China while working for global justice. We need to tackle corporate greed, bail out struggling farmers and ranchers, end mass shootings, and unrig a system that profits by ignoring working families.
This campaign is about shaking up the political norms in Colorado and Washington. We need a generational transfer of power that puts people first. Together, we’ll create a future that is fair, just, and full of opportunity. Let’s take back control and build a government that serves our families, our workers, and our communities.