Anna Payne
Democrat
https://www.annapayne4staterep.com/
What is one life experience you have that voters should know about?
I was born with Cystic Fibrosis where at the time life expectancy was in the teens. Without science and medicine evolving and access to quality healthcare, I would not be standing here today. I decided I wanted to do more than just survive. I wanted to become an advocate and leader for my community. I currently serve as the Vice-Chair of the PA Rare Disease Advisory Council and I am the cofounder of the Bucks County Cystic Fibrosis Alliance. In 2021, at the age of 34, I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon kancer (I spell cancer with a \"k\" because we give too much power to the \"c\" word and we need to take the power back). Over the past two years, I have worked with multiple advocacy groups and non-profit organizations to help advocate for lowering the screening age for colonoscopies and encourage others to be their own advocates in the doctor's office. I use my voice to honor those who are no longer with us and those who are continuing to take power away from kancer through education and advocacy. Now, I'm ready to use my voice for everyone in my community as State Representative of the 142nd District.
What sets you apart from other candidates?
I have served on the Middletown Township Board of Supervisors since 2020. I am proud of the work we have accomplished over the past few years including creating the Human Relations Council, implementing the first-ever climate action plan, and adopting co-responders for the police department as well as improving funding for our local fire department to ensure our community's safety. For the past six years, I have also worked in the Bucks County Commissioner's office with Commissioner Diane Marseglia providing constituent services for residents throughout the county. These experiences in addition to my work in advocacy have prepared me to take on the job as State Representative on day one. If I earn the privilege and opportunity to be our district's next representative, I will go to Harrisburg and deliver positive change on the issues that matter the most. For our community, this includes lowering the cost of healthcare, keeping our community safe, increasing access to life-saving kancer screenings, bringing down the cost of living for our residents, protecting reproductive rights, and standing up for our fundamental freedoms for all Pennsylvanians.
How do you plan to work across ideological lines to achieve shared goals?
Throughout my advocacy work and time as a township supervisor, I have firsthand experience working with our neighbors across the aisle to get things done for our communities. As a State Representative, improving the quality of life for my constituents will always be at the forefront of my mind and policies. To achieve this, we must be able to bring everyone to the table including those who may not share the same ideologies. At the end of the day, we must remember that we are public servants who were elected by the people of Pennsylvania to provide legislation that will improve the lives of all our constituents regardless of who they voted for or what they believe in.
What would be your top three policy priorities in office?
I want to deliver real positive change for my district by tackling the issues facing my community daily. This includes bringing down the cost of living and improving quality of life by ensuring all Pennsylvanians receive the quality care they deserve through lowering healthcare costs, investing in mental health services, and lowering prescription drug prices, especially for our seniors. We must also continue to protect all forms of reproductive healthcare in PA and ensure each Pennsylvanian's right to bodily autonomy. It is also important that we keep our communities safe by making smart investments and being a leader in keeping Pennsylvania's air, water, and energy clean.
The Committee of Seventy has partnered with the Carter Center to promote the Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections (www.principledcandidates.org) to improve the voting process, encourage honest leadership, and promote civic engagement. Do you support the Candidate Principles?
Yes.
