Meet Your Neighbor, Aaron

Aaron is the proud son of working class Mexican and Filipino immigrants. From living in a four bedroom house with his multi-generational family in Illinois to a small two bedroom apartment with his mom, step-dad and brother in Michigan, he learned two things – community was everything and hard work should pay off.

When his mother worked the graveyard shift, his grandparents were there to tuck him into bed. When money was tight, his dad worked extra hours to get him the school supplies he needed. When his mother had to pick up another job, his step-dad was there to pick Aaron up from school and take care of his brother during the day. Even though his working parents had to make sacrifices, they always made ends meet.

Photo by Chloe Trofatter | The State News

Inspired by his parent’s drive and work, Aaron studied hard. That’s all his parents asked of him. Eventually he would be the first in his family to get a bachelor’s degree. He attended Michigan State University, studying to become a high school social studies teacher. 

However, Aaron did more than just study. He led. He joined the undergraduate student government, eventually being elected as the VP for Academic Affairs. In this position, he worked to improve the academic experience of his fellow Spartans. He built a coalition of strong student voices in university governance. He worked to foster collaboration amongst university and student leaders to find common ground in academic issues. Most importantly, he fought tirelessly for policies that better supported his peers.

Towards the end of Aaron’s time as a student, tragedy struck on February 13, 2023. A senseless act of gun violence shattered the calm and safety of the community he loves. Although he had only three months until graduation, he continued the work. Shifting his focus to supporting grieving Spartans and demanding better from university and elected leaders. 

However, like many working class people, Aaron feels the pinch of affordability. With increasing rent and utilities, paying off his student loan debts and the increased costs of just about everything, Aaron is having to make the same tough decisions his parents had to make. From taking on a second job as a food delivery driver to postponing doctor appointments, times are getting harder. Like many of his neighbors, he studied hard. He worked hard. Yet, it seems like he can’t get ahead. Buying a home or starting a family seems like a dream out of reach. 


So what is Aaron doing? He is running for office. He’s running because it shouldn’t be this hard to get by. He’s running because he and his neighbors deserve better. He’s running because we know we need a fresh, energized and bold voice in the State House to champion working class issues. From fixing our local roads, to investing in our students' education, to making healthcare and childcare affordable and accessible. He’s not your typical politician. He’s part of a new generation of governing. A generation of representatives that work on an agenda for the people, not large corporations. A new generation of leaders that fights for working class families. A new generation of policy that transforms the lives of his neighbors for the better.