Diamant Hysenaj, an Albanian originally from Kosovo, has officially announced his candidacy for the U.S. Congress, challenging one of America’s most high-profile politicians, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). Hysenaj, 42, arrived in the United States in 1991 during the Yugoslav crisis, and today he is a successful construction business owner based in the Bronx, New York.

Arriving as a refugee with his family, Hysenaj grew up in tough neighborhoods, working hard to rebuild a life from scratch. Today, he leads a construction company that has supported hundreds of families and communities in his area. Running as a Republican in New York’s 14th Congressional District, he says he wants to represent all those who feel ignored by current politics.

He criticizes AOC for being overly focused on national politics and ideological debates, while local issues go unresolved. Hysenaj is campaigning on promises to improve infrastructure, support small businesses, implement fair immigration reform, and increase public safety.