Megan Ortiz: Bernie Delegate to DNC

23 - Congressional District 4 - North Las Vegas, NV.
Millennial - LGBT - Hispanic - ADA.

I'm running for a National Delegate position in CD4 (+at large) of Clark County in Nevada, in support of Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders.

My name is Megan Ortiz and I'm a State Delegate running for a National Delegate position for Bernie Sanders, both as an at-large delegate and as a delegate representing Congressional District 4 in Southern Nevada. I'm 23, Hispanic, LGBT, and physically disabled. I was raised by a single mother and I'm the sister of a sibling with Autism. Bernie Sanders is the only current candidate I've seen speak about Autism. My brother's condition has been not only a huge part of my life but a big part of my family's struggle. I'm excited to support a candidate who expresses sympathy and concern for people with Autism and their family caregivers. I would love to see Nevada become more progressive in terms of mental health care and supporting family caregivers.

I've been politically passionate and active in local politics since before I could even vote. I've been throwing myself into activism and volunteer work since I was 15. The first thing I did on my eighteenth birthday was register online to vote so I could vote for Barack Obama. I have volunteered, canvassed, and rallied for several Democratic politicians. (Shelley Berkley, Barack Obama, Oscar Goodman, Rory Reid, a handful of local reps, lawyers running for District Court & Family Court judgeship, as well as Lucy Flores; an endorser of Senator Sanders.) I'm happy to say I'm endorsing a Presidential candidate who never falters in supporting what's best for the people.

Despite being involved in local and national politics for the past eight years, this upcoming election has become the focal point of my entire life this past year. I've never been so passionate about a candidate as I am about Bernie Sanders. I live and breathe this candidate. Everywhere I go, I try and spread the message about my candidate and encourage people to register to vote even if they aren't leaning towards my candidate.

I've attended several local Bernie rallies and have had the privilege of meeting him twice. Both times he was incredibly kind and down-to-earth and willing to listen. He radiates compassion, expresses extreme concern for the citizens of this country, and speaks from the heart. I'm a progressive liberal through and through and I'm so passionate about Bernie Sanders because he's one of the most progressive candidates I've ever seen. Being a Battle Born State native, I can recall a time when things were easier in Nevada. I've experienced firsthand how crushing our economy can be and how hard it can be to get by despite hard work. Bernie Sanders is my candidate because he not only understands what is best for Nevada but what is best for this country as a whole. Much like myself, Bernie understands that a better more unified and prosperous America is possible. I feel that it's very important to rally behind this candidate and not settle for anything less than what is necessary to get this country to a point where The American Dream is a possibility for EVERY American.

I volunteer for the campaign for Bernie Sanders & the Nevada State Democratic Party. I contribute to the campaign several times monthly, phonebank regularly, and spend several hours online daily promoting his race for the Presidency. I'm active in the Fight For $15, local mental health reform, Medical + Recreational Marijuana, Wild Horse Preservation, No Kill Las Vegas, immigration rights, suicide prevention, and Autism advocacy. As an animal rights activist, it's so crucial to me to support a candidate who cares about the cause. I'm proud to be endorsing a candidate with a 100% rating with the Humane Society Legislative Fund.

I've attended Party Platform meetings to contribute my ideas about what's important for Nevada to the Nevada State Democratic Party. I attended a small luncheon hosted by Kevin & Karyn Doddy and got the opportunity to speak with actors Susan Sarandon and Connor Paolo about the importance of getting the word out for Bernie, recording and reporting voter suppression & voter fraud, as well as being a committed delegate for Bernie.

I was my precinct's Precinct Chair & Site Coordinator for our Caucus in February and Bernie won in my district! I was a County Alternate Delegate and seated myself as a Permanent Delegate at the County Convention. I'm now a State Delegate and have been attending webinars and delegation training as well as campaigning online in hopes of representing fellow Nevada Berners in Philadelphia.

It's my belief that Bernie Sanders understands how hard it can be to grow up in poverty and that it's entirely unacceptable to do your part and work hard only to struggle to support your family. As a Millennial I have countless friends who live heavily under the burden of student debt and it's refreshing to see a candidate be legitimately concerned about the crushing debt that is so detrimental to the quality of life of so many young American citizens. I've got family in local Teamsters & Operating Engineers unions, friends that are local teachers, and so far they are all very dedicated to Bernie's cause and believe he's what is best for this country.

I would love to break into politics one day and I'm consistently praised for all my involvement in activism. I believe that being a National Delegate would be an excellent accomplishment. 9 days after my 18th birthday I was a passenger in a car accident that left me not only physically disabled but buried in medical debt that I’ve never been able to make a dent in. As a Hispanic LGBT person with a disability I've experienced firsthand how easy it is to feel like an outlier in politics. There are so many under-represented facets of society and I'm hoping to one day be a voice for those people, much like my candidate. I'm hoping to be elected so I can make the journey to Philadelphia to do my part to assist in getting this man nominated and one step closer to the White House.

Thank you so much for your consideration. I'm hoping for your vote!

- Megan Marie Ortiz (NV CD4 + at-large)


Note: All contributions not used will be offered to additional delegates for Bernie. If I'm not elected, all contributions will be donated to the Presidential campaign of Senator Bernie Sanders!