I grew up as a Section 8 kid in California’s Marin County.

I struggled but eventually found balance and purpose in my Christian faith and queer identity. I applied for colleges while both couch surfing and serving as the student body president of my high school.

I went on to graduate from the #1 public university in the world with a double major in Rhetoric and Political Science. I have since worked in the U.S. Congress, the California Legislature, and on various federal/state/local campaigns.

I am a battle-tested, community-rooted champion who knows firsthand, through lived experience and professional history, just how much government can and do transform or save lives, especially for communities on the frontlines.

That’s why I’m committed to building a better tomorrow.

And this website, Romario’s Corner, and the work ahead are key parts of my continued plan to bring you along with me, as we fight for us.

 * Romario Wins *

 * Romario Wins *

  • I know mentioning this work might seem like child’s play, but I truly believe that my work then was just as important as my work now. I’ve read Joan Didion, and I honor my roots.

    Leadership and Activities

    • Elected 3rd Grade Class Representative, Lynwood Elementary

    • Elected 4th Grade Class Representative, Lynwood Elementary

    • Acting Student Body President, Lynwood Elementary (assumed role after opponent opted to pursue tetherball during lunchtime instead)

    • First Chair Trumpet Player, Lynwood Elementary

    • Last Chair Trumpet Player, San Jose Middle School (proudly!)

    • Speech Finalist, MESA USA National Engineering Design Competition (7th Grade Speech on Fracking)

    • SMASH Stanford Scholar (3-year residential academic program for high-achieving, low-income students)

    • Elected First-Year Representative, SMASH Stanford

    • Elected Three-Year President, Peer Court, Novato High School

    • Elected Member of Homecoming Court, Novato High School (2015)

    • Writer, The Peabody (a Marin School of the Arts publication)

    • Pool Timekeeper, Special Olympics Northern California

    • Lifeguard, Novato High School, College of Marin, and Petaluma Swim Center

    • Captain, Novato High School Swim Team

    • Elected Two-Year Chair, Novato High School Site Leadership Council

    • Elected Student Body President, Novato High School

    Accomplishments:

    • Lead role (Anansi) in my kindergarten class play.

    • Top fundraiser for the UNICEF Coin Drive at Lynwood.

    • Successfully secured Pajama Fridays at Lynwood.

    • Co-wrote and performed The 3 R’s, a play about environmental sustainability, with Grace Lee.

    • Top score on San Jose Middle School’s U.S. Constitution Test.

    • First-place finisher in my Sophomore P.E. class.

    • Partnered with the NHS Feminist Club to advocate for gender-inclusive dress code reforms.

    • Collaborated with NHS cafeteria workers to improve working conditions and enhance healthy food options.

    • Contributed to the Novato Unified School District's Graduate Profile and 6 C’s equity framework.

    • Raised $4,000 for immigrant families of classmates tragically killed due to gang violence.

    • Delivered the welcoming address in front of thousands at Novato High School’s 2016 graduation ceremony.

    Recognition

    • Novato Inspirational Student Achievement Award (2009)

    • San Jose Middle School History Department Award (2013)

    • Novato High School Yearbook’s "Most Spirited" (2016)

    • Novato High School Swim Team Standout (2016)

  • College is meant to change how we think and why we act. That’s literally the point!

    I cherished my five years of ups and downs at the University of California, Berkeley. Cal’s academic rigor and community organizing are seminal in how my community and I understand the world today.

    Leadership and Activities (UC Berkeley)

    • Elected President, Clark Kerr Hall Association

    • Elected Senator, Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC)

    • Founder and Chair, ASUC COVID-19 Financial Relief Fund

    • Appointed Advisor, Chancellor’s Advisory Committee for the LGBTQ+ Communities

    • Advising Member, UC Berkeley Ethnic Studies 5th Account Committee

    • Vice Chair, then Chair, Cal Students for Equal Rights and a Valid Education (CalSERVE)

    • Founder, Cal’s Queer/Trans Christians (QT Christians)

    • Chief of Staff to ASUC Senator Teddy Lake

    • Finance Lead, Queer and Trans People of Color Conference 2018

    • Front Desk Assistant, International House Berkeley

    • Receptionist, East Bay Community Law Center

    • Cage Worker, UC Berkeley School of Journalism

    • Food Server, Cal Athletics Department

    • Summer Clerk, Clark Kerr Campus Housing

    • House Cleaner, HouseBoiNYC (LGBTQ+ inclusive cleaning service)

    • Summer Intern, Court Buddy (legal tech startup)

    • Fall Intern, Office of Congressman Jared Huffman

    Accomplishments (UC Berkeley)

    • Hosted the first LGBTQ+ Pride college football game in the United States.

    • Founded the ASUC COVID-19 Relief Fund, distributing $74,000 to support immigrant and parent students during the pandemic.

    • Wrote and published two Op-Eds in The Daily Californian:

      • “UC Berkeley Needs More LGBTQ+-Centered Events”

      • “For the Love of God, Stop Electing a Christian Community ASUC Senato

    • Served as a three-time student lobbyist for the University of California Student Association.

    • Authored and passed more resolutions than any other ASUC elected official during the 2019–2020 term. These resolutions:

      • Upheld the Association’s support for accessible abortion in 2019.

      • Held a Berkeley start-up company accountable for their exploitation of outsourced student workers in South America.

      • Made the bathrooms on the 4th floor of the MLK Student Union Jr. gender inclusive.

      • Condemned a healthcare partnership between the UC and Dignity Health, which use religious grounds to deny patients life=saving services. The Lieutenant Governor eventually agreed to restrict this partnership

      • Secured permanent spacing and funding for the Queer Alliance Resource Center.

      • Re-established the Association’s Diversity Committee as active.

    Recognition (UC Berkeley)

    • Endorsed by The Daily Californian during 2019 ASUC campaign.

    • Leadership Award, Court Buddy (2020)

    • Rhetoric in Action Award, UC Berkeley Rhetoric Department (2021)

  • Graduating on Zoom was a precursor to the wild ways of Adulthood. I survived and thrived nonetheless!

    Leadership and Positions (Post-College)

    • Bilingual HIV Prevention Coordinator, The Spahr Center

    • Member, County of Marin Voter Education and Outreach Advisory Committee

    • Campaign Manager, Sara Aminzadeh for California Assembly 2022

    • District Representative, Office of California Senator Nancy Skinner

    • Elected Board Member, Oakland LGBTQ Community Center

    • Founding Member, Lakeshore LGBTQ+ Cultural District, Oakland

    • Elected Political Director, Marin County Young Democrats

    • Campaign Coordinator, Marin Rent Control Campaign (2024)

    • Senior Advisor, John Bauters for Alameda County Supervisor (2024)

    • Senior Advisor, Brent Blackaby for Berkeley City Council (2024)

    • Policy and Advocacy Manager, Community Action Marin

    Accomplishments (Post-College)

    • Successfully organized the community campaign to save Lynwood Elementary School from closure.

    • Led regional outreach and registration efforts for monkeypox vaccinations in Marin partnership with Health and Human Services. I also visioned and executed a North Bay Town Hall on mpox with Equality California.

    • Drafted and presented an ordinance establishing Oakland’s first official LGBTQ+ neighborhood (“gayborhood”).

    • Organized with SEIU’s Committee of Interns and Residents to improve pay equity at Highland Hospital in Oakland.

    • Secured gender-affirming clothing accommodations for an incarcerated non-binary individual.

    • Successfully advocated for updates to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation policies to include recognition of non-binary identities.

    Recognition (Post-College)

    • Award for Outstanding Board Member, Oakland LGBTQ Community Center (2023)

    • Certificate of Recognition, California State Senate for public service as District Representative (2024)

    • Certificate of Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Barbara Lee for efforts in establishing Oakland’s first LGBTQ+ Cultural District (2024)

  • Leadership and Positions (2025–Present)

    • Founding Board Member, Marin LGBTQ+ Center

    • Easter Bunny, 2025 Canal Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

    Accomplishments (2025–Present)

    • Visioned, planned, and executed a countywide housing justice briefing series, presenting five public briefings (West, South, North, Central, and Virtual) based on the Rooted in Marin displacement report.

    • Lobbied in Sacramento in support of Head Start and other key Community Action initiatives impacting low-income families.

    • Co-wrote and published “Marin Voice: Calling on LGBTQ+ Community to Band Together Now” with the Reverend Dr. Janie Spahr.

    • Authored and published a letter in the San Francisco Chronicle reflecting on faith, queerness, and legacy following the passing of Pope Francis.

    Recognition (2025–Present)

    • Team nominated for a Heart of Marin Award for work on 2024’s Prop 5 campaign in Marin County.

BOOK COMING SOON *

BOOK COMING SOON *

STAY UPDATED

AND SEE YOU IN THE TOMORROW