Hello to all my friends in Monmouth County, and elsewhere in the United States, and around the World. My name is Eduardo Castillo, and I'm a very concerned citizen like the rest of you. A few months ago I announced my Candidacy for the Monmouth County Commission, and a month later I abruptly dropped out, as I saw how nasty, twisted, and difficult navigating the political process as a newcomer, and someone who's deeply worried about the current state of our Country, and the world at large. But after deep thinking about the future of our county, our state, and our nation, I've reconsidered the route I want to take in pursuing this office of the Monmouth County board of commissioners.

And the decision that I've made is that I will run as a write in candidate for the Democratic Primary. If you're worrying about me potentially spoiling any votes, don't worry, it's a primary election, not the general, and the top two vote getters proceed to the general election, and as there are three democratic party candidates running for the Nomination, two of us will make it to the general election. I'm no Lisa Murkowski, my profile is relatively low, but hopefully through this campaign I will make myself, and my positions known, and hopefully through those efforts, and more I can earn your trust, and your vote as well.

Since nearly no one knows who I am, let me introduce myself. Besides from my name that I've already made known, I would like to describe to you all my background. I was born on June 11th, 2003 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to two members of the Dominican Military. Public service is not new to my family, my grandfather on my Mother's side worked for the Dominican Government when he was younger, but no one in my family has pursued public service through elective office, from my knowledge. So I'll be the first, not to make history, not to oppose any men, or women, or anyone else, but to present new, fresh bright ideas. My Father lived in New York for a short time period, as well as New Jersey, after his military service in the Dominican Republic. He has lived in the United States for half of his lifetime, and our family was separated for a short period of time, as my mother, and my two siblings still lived in the Dominican Republic, as she was continuing her military service, but eventually we all moved to the United States, to live with our father, and reunite our family.

My Father decided to take residency in Georgia, my Mother, and my brother's and I soon followed him. I remember first landing in the United States, the land of the free, home of the brave, and the place where dreams become reality. We accidentally drove to Tennessee, before settling into Georgia. On the way to our new home in Georgia I remember seeing a huge McDonald's sign, I was 7 years old. The sign was promoting the New Alvin, and the chipmunks movie, it was in late November of 2009. I remember seeing the red, yellow bright light on the McDonald's billboard promoting the movie, it was dark at night, and I was simply amazed at the beauty of it all.

I went to school in Georgia, graduated in Georgia, and worked in Georgia. I remember telling my Mom I wanted to be a doctor when I was younger, things have changed since then, but in my heart I am someone who wants to help people. We are not all different, our diversity is great, our diversity makes us strong, but it is our similarities that make us stronger. I am a mixed race Afro-Latino American Citizen. Like 21 percent of New Jerseyans I am Hispanic, I am Latino, like 13 percent of New Jerseyans I am black, and like 54 percent of New Jerseyans, I can somewhat be considered White, as my father is a white Dominican American. Prejudice is not unknown to me, as privilege is not foreign to me. I reap the benefits of my few privileges, as I suffer from the hatred, and systemic disadvantages that come from individuals of my background.

But before I am black, white, latino, hispanic, Dominican, American, and a member of the Democratic Party, I am a child of God foremost, and I believe in the potential of every human being that roams this beautiful place we call home. That place is a town, a city, a state, a Country, a planet, but most importantly that place is a dream, an idea.

The dream that things can be better, that we can make them better, that we will make them better, and the idea that as long as we work together, anything is possible. No dreams are unreachable, and no mountain is too high for the might of the human spirit. I was born because there is love in this World, I moved to the United States because I love my family, and I wanted it to be whole, I moved to New Jersey from Georgia 3 years ago because I fell in love with a beautiful girl from our very own community. Love is our greatest strength, and as long as we remember that, nothing can dissuade us, break us, or tear us apart as residents of Monmouth County, as New Jerseyans, and most importantly as Americans, and children of God.

I will not stand aside as this lawlessness, political violence, and division tear us apart. I cannot stand aside as our Republican controlled county commission, and government raises taxes on us by 23 million without the consultation of us, the residents of Monmouth County. I cannot stand aside as our Republican controlled county commission votes to illegally raise their wages by $3,000 while many of us struggle to pay for basic necessities. I cannot stand aside as that same county commission wastes nearly a million in taxpayer money to seize a private airport for Netflix.

I cannot stand aside as we're offered last minute candidates picked by party bosses, whose hearts are not in the race, and are simply uninterested in offering their own platform. And I will not stand aside as many potholes are unfilled, many schools are underfunded, and many dreams are getting crushed by the weight of our governments' inability to make things easier for everyday people. I am interested in your future, I am interested in your success, and throughout this campaign you will see my platform, and what I stand for. We are residents of Monmouth County, we are New Jerseyans, the best state in the nation, and we are Americans, citizens of the best country in the world, second to none, and together we will prevail.

So I am asking you, if you're tired of the state of things, if you want a better life, and if you're asking if there's an alternative, yes there it is. If you believe in this vision, write in Eduardo Castillo for the Monmouth County Commission on the Democratic Ballot, June 2nd.