I am running for the State Legislature because I do not want anyone to face the same challenges I had to face in order to support themselves or their family. I'll fight for comprehensive Criminal justice reform and for others alike.

To employers nationwide, we will not tolerate the denial of basic human rights - including the right to work - in this... era of mass incarceration, a time when tens of millions of people now have criminal records and are struggling to work, support their families, and lead meaningful, productive lives.

Of course discrimination against people with criminal records is nothing new, but recently the EEOC adopted guidelines making clear that employers are in violation of civil rights laws if they adopt a blanket policy of discrimination against people with criminal records. The EEOC concluded that employers must look at applicants' records on a case-by-case basis and conduct an individualized assessment of an applicant's criminal record and that person's behavior since the offense occurred. If the employer cannot demonstrate that denying someone a job or promotion based on a criminal record is "consistent with business necessity" it is in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. At a time when people across the political spectrum are coming together to seek criminal justice reform and to remove barriers to re-entry, Apple ought to be leading by example by actively seeking to hire people who have been locked out of the mainstream economy rather than engaging in these discriminatory tactics and closing the door of opportunity to people who want to work hard and support their families.