The Path to Local Politics
For nearly two years, Bridget Kunakorn has served as a board supervisor for New Britain Township. Her track record is a testament to her belief in leadership rooted in integrity and her nonpartisan devotion to her community. While she looks forward to the rest of her six year term, she can’t forget what propelled her to run in the first place: karate.
“I’d put my eleven-year-old son in a beginner class at Action Karate North Wales. I was in my mid-forties, out of shape and watching other people my age and body type out there on the mat and thought ‘I can at least try.’”
She signed up for a free month and was hooked.
“It’s not even as much about learning the self-defenses as it is about gaining that confidence,” she said, adding, “Although learning to defend myself was definitely rewarding.”
Soon after she’d started training, someone approached her about throwing her hat in the ring for township supervisor.
“If I hadn’t been doing karate and had that mindset of ‘you can do things you didn’t think you were physically and mentally capable of,’ I’m not sure that I would have attempted to run.” To feel better qualified, she educated herself. “I attended meetings and got a feeling for what was going on in the township—things I hadn’t paid much attention to before because I thought ‘I’m just one person, what can I do? I can’t make any changes.’ Going from that thought to ‘Even if I only make one or two small changes, that’s one or two changes that’s made things better for other people.’”
Bridget’s drive to contribute to the community had been put in motion two years before. After COVID-19, she saw a need for change in the township. “I watched our country and community sink into divisiveness. We needed to re-focus on bringing our community back together.” She also wanted to work to preserve existing land while reducing environmental impacts from development. To get involved, Bridget attended local Democrat meetings, volunteered to canvas and to make phone calls.
The Black Belt Project
To obtain her Black Belt, Bridget is expected to demonstrate community leadership through a “Link In the Chain Project.” She chose a project that saves lives through simple acts of compassion. It’s a donation drive to support the Coalition to Support & Shelter Homeless. The CSSH operates Code Blue shelters throughout Central Bucks. The drive runs through December 5, “although, people are invited to donate any amount at any time,” she said.
At one time, Bridget had volunteered at the Lansdale Code Blue Shelter. “That experience was eye-opening. It showed me how varied the paths to homelessness can be—domestic violence, medical debt, aging and substance abuse issues often tied to mental illness including PTSD among veterans.” She was surprised the first time a veteran asked her to wake him up in the morning so he didn’t miss work. “You don’t think people who are homeless have jobs and cars but a great many of them do although they can barely afford the insurance and gas.”
“I watched our country and community sink into divisiveness. We needed to re-focus on bringing our community back together.”
The more she can give to CSSH through her Black Belt project, the better. “Code Blue Shelters saves lives.”
Her empathy and impulse to give back stems from her parents, both Navy veterans, who taught her patriotism through service and civic engagement from an early age.
For Bridget, supporting veterans is deeply personal. “I now serve as the board liaison to the Veterans Committee where I advocate for mental health and support charities that help transition veterans returning to civilian life. It’s important we honor our local veterans and remind them how much we value their personal sacrifices.”
Changes in New Britain; Looking Back
As a newly elected supervisor in November 2023 she voted to expand the Zoning Hearing Board from three to five members, bringing in more voices. She backed Chief Richard Clowser in modernizing the police department, securing a co-responder for mental health crises, launching the Blue Envelope Program for drivers with autism, and supporting community outreach.
Kunakorn launched a donation drive to support the Coalition to Support & Shelter Homeless. The CSSH operates Code Blue shelters throughout Central Bucks. The drive runs through December 5.
She’s also championed the Environmental Advisory Committee’s efforts to promote native plants and reduce stormwater impacts, while actively participating in township events to foster community unity.
Looking Ahead
On December 6, Bridget takes her Black Belt test.
She said if she doesn’t make it, she’ll try again. Her positive outlook is similar to when she first made the bid to run. “I thought, if I don’t win the election, I’ll redirect my energy elsewhere and still make a positive impact on the community. My own upbringing in a low-income household reinforced the value of compassion, gratitude, and helping others whenever possible. These lessons, along with my karate training, shape how I lead today.”
