As a Muslim immigrant from Pakistan, I’ve always been more of a Republican, especially since my father involved me in conservative politics from a young age. When I was first elected as a Republican precinct committeeman in Central Florida, no one really cared about my background.

I would describe myself as a “Joe Rogan Republican,” not accepting the liberal narrative and talking to everyone. I did this to the extent that I even befriended actual white supremacists to witness extreme identity politics up close for myself.