Pennsylvania would be better off exchanging many of the politicians in Harrisburg for everyday working-class Americans: the people who know what it’s like to put aside differences and bring solutions to the table.
I’m a public school teacher, and I’ve served in this role for more than two decades; I have firsthand knowledge on the issues affecting education staff and their students. Not only do I see it every day from in front of the whiteboard, I parent three school-aged children. I understand the challenges working families face because I live them. While fighting to address the needs in my community, I’ve served in leadership roles as a union officer, chief negotiator, curriculum coordinator, Title I coordinator, and more. As a school board director, I deeply feel the difficult choices schools make when Harrisburg fails to pass a fair budget. I understand the pressure that an unfunded school district has on our students and taxpayers; now, I’m stepping up to help solve them.
When I saw my children’s school district needed help, I stepped up. I won bipartisan support on a campaign for the Neshaminy School Board and immediately got to work. This role served the public, not a political party. Prioritizing non-partisan solutions, the board collaborated to pass a Responsible Contractor Ordinance (RCO). Four registered Democrats and three registered Republicans worked together to build an ordinance that would safeguard our taxpayer dollars and promote accountability on large construction projects. There were disagreements, but on principles, instead of party lines. Through patience and respect for the other perspectives, we brought real solutions to the district. Harrisburg should take notes.
When I was elected as Chief Negotiator in my working school district, I wasn’t supported because of my political party affiliation, but because of my experience, proven leadership, and commitment to advocate for meaningful change. I selected my team because of their expertise, not their political leanings. Working with district officials and the Republican-led school board directors, my team and I built the synergy needed to ratify a contract that benefited our taxpayers while supporting students and staff. We put personal belief aside to do what was best for the community; I’ll take the same approach in Harrisburg.
Comprehensive understanding of the education system can only benefit our state leaders. Governor Josh Shapiro has put in the work to get our education funding on the right track, but there is still more to be done. With the governor’s endorsement, I’m stepping up as an expert opinion for the fight towards fair and full funding for our public schools so that state funding gaps are not passed onto our residents in the form of higher taxes. Further, I am committed to fighting for fair wages for our community, and ensuring that they have the financial security to retire with dignity. I want to support affordable and accessible medical care so our neighbors can go to the doctor without worrying about affording prescriptions. I want to make our communities and our schools safe, and I want to support efforts to provide our local law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS the resources they need to make that happen.
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Our community should keep more of what they earn, and achieving that requires a representative who is committed to protecting the working class from rising utility costs, surveilling and dynamic pricing at the grocery store, and unfair corporate price gouging. I’m committed to holding wealthy corporations accountable and challenging practices that prioritize profits over working families.
I’m a teacher, former union leader, school board director, wife of a small business owner, and mom. I’m running for state representative for the same reasons I stepped up to represent my community on the school board: my experience suits the needs of this role and I’m dedicated to finding real solutions. As your next state representative, I’ll bring this same practical experience to Harrisburg.
It’s time for our community in the 142nd District to have a representative in Harrisburg who understands working families, not a corporate shill.
