Lucas Kunce grew up in Jefferson City, Missouri. Like many American families, he has lived paycheck-to-paycheck. When his sister was born with a heart condition, they went bankrupt, relying on the generosity of their neighbors to make it. Through Pell grants, scholarships, and the kindness of people around town, he went to Yale University and law school at Mizzou. He then spent 13 years as a Marine officer, serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and representing our country in arms control negotiations with Russia. Now, he works at a nonprofit that fights for the middle class and against corporate monopoly power.