I have long been inspired by John McCain's unconventional ways.

You see, he is a different type of Republican.

He reaches out to all Americans, including those inner city residents not accustomed to seeing Republican candidates.

That is why I stand here as a State Representative and a nominee for Congress at age 27.

I represent an inner-city area of Peoria, Illinois - a district that has NEVER elected a Republican.

Four years ago, I narrowly defeated a veteran incumbent.

The conventional wisdom was that a district that was majority Democrat, one-quarter African-American, and has 20,000 people on food stamps could not be won by a Republican.

But, by trumpeting the timeless principles of our party, we turned the conventional wisdom upside down.

I won by 235 votes!

After winning, I worked tirelessly to reach out to every constituent. I worked to resolve problems for the most needy in our community.

Often I would get a comment "Why are you doing this, you are a Republican."

I always respond, "This is what the Republican Party stands for - a leg up, not a hand out... helping impoverished folks become self-sufficient, contributing members of society."

By embodying John McCain's unconventional ways, I was re-elected with 39% of the African-American vote, up from 4% just two years earlier.

As a candidate for Congress, I look forward to serving in John McCain's army, and helping spread our message of freedom and prosperity to all Americans.