I ran for Congress in Virginia’s 11th District because this moment in American history demands bold leadership—leadership rooted in experience, principle, and purpose. My campaign was never about personal ambition—it was about conviction, and the belief that the American Dream must be protected and expanded for all. Indeed, my campaign, above all, was about making a statement: that we need leaders willing to speak hard truths, propose bold solutions, and represent communities too often excluded from power.
Twenty years ago, sitting in the living room of our home in Caracas, my wife and I made the difficult decision to leave Venezuela with our four young children. As a Congressman speaking out against an authoritarian regime, I faced imprisonment—or worse. We fled for safety, for opportunity, and for freedom.
We chose the United States for three reasons:
First, because America is a country of immigrants, and we believed we would be welcomed as part of the American story.
Second, because this is a land of economic opportunity, where social mobility is possible for those willing to work hard.
And finally, because this nation has long stood as a beacon of democracy and the rule of law.
We built our life right here in Fairfax County. I launched a successful international business practice and founded nonprofit organizations focused on human rights, democracy, and uplifting the Latino community. I served our Commonwealth on the University of Mary Washington Board and as a member of the Small Business Commission. And I was honored to be appointed by President Biden to the Department of Commerce, where I worked to expand access to capital and international markets for small businesses.
But today, the values that brought our family here are under severe threat. As an immigrant who has served this country, a father, and a former legislator who stood up to authoritarianism, I know what it means to lead under pressure. I know what it means to fight for democracy when it’s under attack.
The United States is at a crossroads. The authoritarian threat is growing. Economic inequality continues to widen. Immigrant families are being demonized and targeted. And yet, many in politics still operate with caution instead of courage. I entered this race because I believed our district—and our nation—deserve leaders who bring bold ideas to the table, grounded in moral clarity and lived experience.
From the start, I stood shoulder to shoulder with fellow Democrats in the battles that define our time—defending reproductive rights, protecting our federal workers, expanding voting access, combating gun violence, advancing racial justice, expanding economic opportunity, and standing firm against authoritarianism. I also made clear that health care is a human right, and I advocated not just to protect access, but to expand coverage, reduce out-of-pocket costs, and close the gaps that leave too many Americans uninsured or underinsured.
I supported balancing our fiscal accounts by taxing the wealthiest fairly and rationalizing our defense and security budgets, so we can prioritize investments in working families, education, infrastructure, and care. I put forward a specific plan to protect and strengthen Social Security—not by cutting benefits, but by lifting the cap on payroll taxes so that millionaires and billionaires contribute their fair share. I also made the case that comprehensive immigration reform is not only a moral and economic necessity but a demographic strategy to sustain and grow our workforce in the face of an aging population.
These are foundational fights that unite us as Democrats and define our values. But in addition to these shared commitments, our campaign brought to this race three urgent and distinct policy priorities that set us apart.
First, we led on immigration reform—not just as a moral imperative, but as an economic necessity and national strength. I called for a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, who know no other country but the United States. I also advocated for legal permanence for long-term Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries, many of whom have lived, worked, and contributed to our communities for decades. I proposed comprehensive legislation to regularize the status of essential workers and undocumented immigrants, recognizing that immigration is not a burden—it’s a strategic advantage. Fixing our broken immigration system is not only the right thing to do morally; it’s vital to growing our economy, addressing labor shortages, and securing America’s future.
Second, I called for a refocusing of U.S. foreign policy toward our own hemisphere. I advocated for a bold strategy to invest in Latin America and the Caribbean—not only to stabilize the region and counter China and Russia, but to address the root causes of migration and reinforce democratic institutions through engagement, not abandonment.
Third, I proposed a Federal Investment Compact for Fairfax County and Northern Virginia, to transform our region into a national hub for inclusive innovation, entrepreneurship, and small business growth. We laid out a vision to unlock federal resources, support minority- and immigrant-owned enterprises, and close opportunity gaps that persist across our community.
But our campaign was about more than policy. Representation matters. At a time when immigrant communities are under attack—scapegoated by cruelty and political opportunism—it was critical to have a voice in this race who could speak from experience and with authenticity.
That’s why during the candidates’ forum, I addressed Latino voters directly in Spanish, assuring them that they are not alone, that their voices and their rights matter, and that I was there to represent them with pride, respect, and commitment. That message resonated deeply. For many voters, it was the first time they saw their identity and aspirations reflected in a congressional candidate.
We also brought a clear and urgent understanding of what it takes to confront the rise of authoritarianism—not just in theory, but in practice. Having lived through it in Venezuela, I know the warning signs. And I also know that we can’t fight authoritarianism only by defending institutions—we must renew the promise of democracy by making it work for everyone. That means delivering real results: fair wages, access to opportunity, small business growth, immigration reform, and economic mobility for all communities. That is a hard lesson I learned in my own struggle for democracy in Venezuela.
At the forum, I also reflected on the role of our party. The Democratic Party is at its best when it defends democracy, fights for economic fairness, and expands equal opportunity for all. But we also must do the work—campaigning everywhere, not just in the bluest precincts, and never taking the Latino community—or any community—for granted. We win when we show up, listen, and lead with purpose. It is political malpractice that we are winning ballot initiatives on the issues—like reproductive rights and higher wages—yet losing key races. That disconnect is not inevitable. It reflects a failure of strategy, outreach, and authenticity. We must do better.
Throughout the campaign, I spoke about the kind of leadership I believe in—leadership that is not just about showing up when the wind is blowing in your favor, but about showing up in the storm, when your community is under attack, when it’s unpopular or risky to do the right thing. That’s the kind of leadership I brought to this race.
We knew the odds were tough. We entered a crowded, fast-moving “firehouse primary” with a clear favorite of the establishment, limited time, and no institutional head start. Still, in just 23 days, we raised the resources to build a powerful grassroots coalition and helped energize a new generation of Latino and immigrant voters in Northern Virginia.
I truly believe that if we had more time to connect with voters, the outcome would have been very different. But even in a compressed race, we delivered a message that mattered—and laid the groundwork for what comes next.
We built an extraordinary team and crafted a powerful, relevant message grounded in principled policy proposals. We gave a voice—and pride—to the Latino community and many immigrant families who have been unfairly scapegoated by a cruel authoritarian president. We are resilient, prepared, and there is much more to come. For that future, I am counting on this remarkable team and network of supporters we built.
The great Spanish poet Antonio Machado once wrote, “Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar…”—Traveler, there is no road; you make your own path as you walk.
We walked this path with courage and integrity. And though we didn’t win the race, we made a road where none existed—one that others will now follow.
The journey continues.