Whereas nonetheless a scholar at UC Irvine Faculty of Regulation, Cheyenne Hunt clerked for Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, engaged on the Judiciary Committee and witnessing firsthand the primary impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump.
It was that “unforgettable” expertise, she mentioned, that cemented her need to run for workplace. And meaning Hunt, a Fullerton resident and TikTok influencer, is the newest to announce her candidacy for California’s forty fifth congressional district represented by GOP Rep. Michelle Metal — a race that’s heating up quick.
Hunt discovered whereas working in Washington, D.C., she mentioned, that not all people is motivated by the problems which can be conserving individuals in her neighborhood up at evening.
“Engaged on (Capitol) Hill confirmed me the methods through which our system is designed to prioritize justice and to deal with no one as if they're above the legislation,” mentioned Hunt, who works in tech coverage for Public Citizen, a progressive advocacy group.
“However it additionally confirmed me the methods through which our lawmakers will not be essentially all the time reflecting the pursuits of their constituents. And I believe that numerous us are on the lookout for anyone who’s actually going to be a champion for working households, and that’s why I’m working proper now.”
A progressive Democrat, Hunt hopes to be the primary Gen Z — anybody born from 1997 to the early 2010s — lady elected to Congress. Members of the U.S. Home have to be at the least 25 years outdated; Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost turned the primary Gen Z individual elected to Congress final 12 months.
Hunt has amassed over 60,000 followers and three million likes on her TikTok, @cheyennehuntca, the place she posts political commentary, varied occasion footage and the occasional “day in my life.”
And as somebody who lobbies for giant tech accountability for a residing, Hunt has so much to say about TikTok and talks in Congress about banning the Chinese language-owned social media app.
“I believe there’s a critical lack of information and a lack of knowledge about social media in our present Congress,” Hunt mentioned. “The issues about TikTok are definitely warranted. We shouldn't be informal about the truth that the (Chinese language Communist Social gathering) could also be doubtlessly harvesting our knowledge via the app.”
However to that time, complete knowledge privateness laws that addresses different apps like Fb and Instagram, and likewise the way in which data is collected on-line, are what members of Congress ought to attempt for, she mentioned. And it is going to be one in every of her priorities in Congress, she mentioned.
Different priorities embody addressing the price of residing that has “spiraled uncontrolled” and extra regulation of massive tech firms.
Backyard Grove Councilmember Kim Bernice Nguyen — who has already garnered appreciable native help, together with that of state Sen. Tom Umberg and Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley — is additionally vying for the seat, which incorporates elements of Orange County and a sliver of Los Angeles County.
The district was just lately positioned on the Democratic Congressional Marketing campaign Committee’s goal listing of aggressive Republican-held or open districts that the occasion’s marketing campaign arm is anticipated to speculate closely in.
Lance Trover, Metal’s marketing campaign supervisor, mentioned, “Southern California voters know her document of combating for decrease taxes, standing as much as the Chinese language Communist Social gathering and making certain everybody has a shot on the American dream,” sustaining she shall be reelected in 2024.
Hunt, who says “it’s time for a change” in Congress, will proceed to submit on TikTok all through her marketing campaign.
“I believe elected officers may do a greater job at having conversations with individuals in verbiage that they perceive,” Hunt mentioned. “I undoubtedly plan on utilizing social media to proceed the dialogue with constituents, supporters and actually anyone else as we transfer via this marketing campaign and hopefully after we win.”