The LuLac Edition #4,204, January 14th, 2020

ATTORNEY SMITH WANTS TO GO TO HARRISBURG

JOANNA BRYN SMITH ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR 120TH STATE HOUSE SEAT

Attorney Joanna Bryn Smith (Photo: Smith campaign)

Attorney Joanna Bryn Smith, 32, of Wyoming, announced her candidacy for the 120th state House district Monday. Smith will participate in the Democratic primary scheduled for April 28th. If successful, she will likely face incumbent Aaron Kaufer in the Nov. 3rd General Election.
Smith was born in the 120th district and grew up in Shavertown, where her parents, who were both public school teachers, instilled in her the values of hard work and community service. The candidate is a graduate of Bishop O’Reilly High School, St Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, and CUNY School of Law in Queens.
After graduating law school, Smith chose to return to Northeastern Pennsylvania to work for the marginalized and under-represented in the community in which she was raised. She was hired by Luzerne County and the Office of Conflict Counsel, where she has worked for the last five years defending those in the community who would otherwise not be able to afford an attorney.
Joanna volunteers with many community organizations, including teaching underprivileged students, serving as a speech and debate coach in local high schools, singing with the Choral Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and volunteering with the annual Valley Santa program. Not content to solely participate, Joanna has been a community leader, serving on the boards of the Fine Arts Fiesta, the Little Theater of Wilkes-Barre, and the KISS Children’s Theater.
Smith cites her desire to serve her community as one of the reasons she chose to run: “My parents always taught me use my talents to serve my community. I could have stayed in New York and had a career, but I chose to use my skills to benefit the marginalized in Luzerne County. I have used my musical talents to entertain and teach in our community, and have never shied away from leadership positions if I thought I could benefit the organization. Now I want to used my voice to represent the people of the 120th district as their state Representative.”
Among her policy priorities are expanding health care access, bringing new jobs and raising the minimum wage, property tax reform, and education reform. Said Smith: “Too long Harrisburg has been run by out of touch politicians who no longer know the daily struggles of everyday people. Parents are worried about the quality of their children’s education while seniors are trying to stay in their homes – meanwhile our lawmakers just gave themselves a raise. We can enact policies that improve both our seniors’ and our parents’ situations, as well as improving the positions of workers by raising the minimum wage and improving access to health care. We’re going to need a new voice, and I want to be that voice.
Smith plans to circulate nominating petitions beginning January 28th.