Six mayoral candidates may seem like a crowded field, but how about 13 candidates for City Council?
Luckily, you can vote for several, as four, four-year seats are up in the primary election this year. Two current council members are running for re-election, accompanied on the ballot by 11 challengers. All are running for Democratic nominations.
We asked each candidate two questions and printed their answers below, listed in alphabetical order. Responses were limited to 275 words and received minor edits to conform to our style requirements.
We hope that these answers will help inform your decision as you head to the voting booth for the May 18 primary.
Vishal Bajpai
Which city issue are you most passionate about?
One of the primary reasons I am running for council is to change our city’s approach to public safety, particularly when it comes to budgetary priorities. The most recent budget, for example, increased the police department’s funding by around $2 million, bringing the total budget for police to about $21 million, without introducing any meaningful reforms.
I strongly believe we need to explore alternatives to public safety centered on community development and social services rather than relying on increased levels of policing. We need to be funding counselors, nurses and career coaches at Harrisburg public schools, not more police officers. We need a citizens’ review board with the power to investigate police misconduct. We need real investments in city infrastructure and social programs to address the root of these issues and build a city for all of us.
This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?
My commitment to community driven change and focus on innovative policy strategies sets me apart in this field of candidates. Part of that commitment is borne out in my approach to campaigning. Any Harrisburg resident can go to my website and schedule time to speak with me about the issues that are important to them. As a member of city council, I will work proactively to include Harrisburg residents in the political process and fight for policy changes that meet resident needs. Now more than ever, our city council needs creative, bold leadership, not a rubber stamp for the mayor’s agenda.
Lori Ann Beamer-Saulisbury
Which city issue are you most passionate about?
The issue I have with the city is the lack of communication in our governing body as city council. There has to be better communication with each other and not just friends alone in our political arena during election times. As a council member there must be better talks with the mayoral office as a team effort of the city government, with other officials alike. This will bring better understanding to the city at large for the betterment of the people, not just downtown and Midtown but the whole town of Harrisburg. I believe when the people see and hear a government with kindness, love and genuine care, this encourages our residents, seniors, youth and children, along with businesses, stakeholders, investors and entrepreneurs to be better too for the betterment of Harrisburg.
This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?
The most important thing to set me apart from the candidates is my 25 years as a servant and minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ reconciling people back to GOD, which is the GREATEST opportunity for mankind to demonstrate love, kindness and care for their fellow man. I also have 15 years of service in Harrisburg as a volunteer, a community activist for stop the violence prayer vigils and street march collaboration gatherings. Additionally, I served for 15 years as a two-term Democratic committeewoman, two-term NAACP Executive Board member and WIN (Women in NAACP) Committee Chairwoman. Wisdom, experience and skill are the defining factors to become the next city council member for Harrisburg. Bring better communication to our governmental body through policies, safety and redevelopment for the BETTERMENT OF HARRISBURG. Bring BETTER hope, help and affordable housing for the less fortunate and homeless alike, giving neighborhoods a better sense of pride and dignity while inviting business owners to invest and create revenue for our city.
Roy Christ
Which city issue are you most passionate about?
I am passionate about many things in our great city, but I have chosen just a few to talk about here. I believe that if we can make a difference in these areas we will be able to expose the greatness that is Harrisburg. Without the people who live here, Harrisburg is but a name on a map. I believe that, in order for our city to become what we can, we need family sustainable wages. We have the advantage of having labor and industry right here in our backyard, and we can take advantage of that. Every first Thursday of the month the Governor’s Training and Apprenticeship Council meets. In those meetings the council goes over the new things that are going on in industry, and it is open to the public. We should have someone there. Training is key. If we have the best-trained workers, industry will build a path to our door. Blight is a very serious problem in our city. We need to pass legislation that holds the LLCs accountable for the property that they buy. Way too many times they buy and sell property in our city like it was a trading card and leave neighborhoods a mess. I have a plan to make them accountable for what they do. Lastly, I truly believe that quality of life issues should be treated like buildings are. We incentivize building in the city, so why not incentivize quality of life issues? If we gave breaks for grocery stores and transportation, we would go a long way towards helping each other.
This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?
What sets me apart from the rest of the people running is experience. I have served the city in some capacity for almost 20 years now. I have at some point fought for everyone in our city. I still have a lot of “good trouble” in me.
Shamaine Daniels (incumbent)
Which city issue are you most passionate about?
There isn’t one issue I am interested in. I would say I am more focused on a series of issues that intersect with each other to support and maintain poverty among our residents. I would like to see barriers to self-sufficiency removed, changing our focus away from divestment from and towards investment into our residents, and ending inequitable provision of city services and enforcement of our laws. I have a voting record residents could examine to see that my vote has been consistent with those principles.
This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?
I have experience as a council person as well as a litigator holding government accountable when it fails its residents. Because of my non-political work, I also have insight into the lived experiences of our residents in a way that few other professions allow.
Crystal Davis
Which city issue are you most passionate about?
Public Works is the issue that I am most passionate about. During my conversations with the residents of Harrisburg about their concerns, I’ve learned that problems with impaired infrastructure, deteriorating potholes, trash accumulation, crumbling sidewalks, inoperative street lights and missing street signs, to name a few, are at the forefront of all of our frustrations.
Broken streetlights promote crime and residents are afraid to go out and walk. Motorists are at an increased risk of losing control of their vehicles and having fatal injuries due to dangerous road conditions. Wherever garbage is left to sit for long periods of time soil and drinking water can become contaminated, and it becomes a hotspot for animals carrying diseases.
This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?
A lifelong history of serving is what sets me apart from the other candidates. After graduating from Harrisburg High School, I joined and served in the United States Army during the Desert Storm War era for six years where I attended aviation school. My desire to continue serving after I left the military is what guided me to pursue higher education and become a licensed nurse. Serving as a nurse has allowed me to care for the health and wellbeing of our seniors, disabled veterans and the mentally challenged in our community and surrounding communities.
Desiring to serve the community at the grassroots level, I became the founder and CEO of At Home Personal Care, LLC, a home care agency that remained on the front lines during the pandemic to ensure that the continued safety and wellbeing of our residents was not interrupted.
I’ll bring the same dedication to city council.
Carrie Fowler
Which city issue are you most passionate about?
There is not just ONE issue I am passionate about in our city! I am passionate about our residents and the social and economic growth of the businesses and residents that call Harrisburg home. When you love something you step up, you fight for it and do whatever it takes to make it better! These issues include: safety, trash, city response to problems, economic growth and codes enforcement! Blight is intimately connected to many of the problems in our city that I would like to solve around health, crime, poverty and economic development. I am tired of city government that is reactive not proactive. We have forgotten about key parts of our city for too many years and I want to focus on all neighborhoods. Neighborhoods are the heart and soul of our city!
This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?
As a master level social worker, this sets me apart from other candidates! I am a professionally trained communicator with concrete ideas about how to empower communities. I understand socioeconomic problems and am committed to bringing these skills to decision making. I will bring to city council the same passion, grit and tenacity that I brought to the Harrisburg School Board of Directors. I know how government works, and I know how government can work. Recent professional roles I have held include, political organizing director for Tom Steyer’s 2020 presidential campaign, and organizing director for Planned Parenthood in the Senate endorsed candidates’ races for 2020.
I come prepared on day one with the knowledge, skills and grit that a council member must have to get the job done.
Sarah Gethers
Which city issue are you most passionate about?
Harrisburg consists of so many incredible BIPOC, and yet we are often left 10 steps behind white families and business owners. Minorities struggle to succeed in personal and business endeavors, with limited access to the myriad of resources and programs that are underrepresented and not communicated publicly. I am most passionate about equipping Black and brown citizens with an efficient and effective way to access important resources in our city. Young Black families should have support in their hopes to own a home. Latinx citizens should receive clear communication no matter what neighborhood they live in. Black business owners deserve honest guidance from city government. If elected to city council, I would create transparent access to resources for minority communities in Harrisburg. The way our city operates should not be a puzzle to solve for the people living in it. We need to have documents, websites and COVID-safe meetings where elected officials and local citizens can discuss the important needs of the community in layman’s terms and determine how our city can best serve its biggest priority: the people.
This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?
Dealing with power-hungry politicians is exhausting. I believe what sets me apart from most is that I can serve as a city council member with a fresh perspective, clearly seeing where the city is hurting without being jaded by years of politics. Through my own experiences and countless conversations with concerned citizens, I understand the issues our city is truly facing. My first priority is listening to the people, not benefiting any personal, business or political relationships. I will meet the real needs of all residents, no matter what neighborhood, profession or background.
Ausha Green (incumbent)
Which city issue are you most passionate about?
The city of Harrisburg is truly at a pivotal point as we become financially stable. Now is the time to invest in the citizens who have stood by outside through financial hardships and continue to be dedicated to our city. We must focus on encouraging development throughout the city, reducing crime, encouraging truly affordable housing in the city and providing resources to city residents.
This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?
Being a lifelong resident of the city, I know the issues the city has long faced. As a current member of Harrisburg city council I also have the experience and understand the process to get things done.
Lavet Henderson
Which city issue are you most passionate about?
If elected, the issues that I will fight for are child safety, leveraging resources for mental health and reducing gun violence. I want to address poverty and the conditions of families struggling, particularly at-risk youth. The city has limited resources, but when the city does get additional funding from the federal or state government, those dollars should be allocated to supporting struggling communities. If elected, I will make sure funds will be responsibly allocated to programs and organizations working on re-entry, childcare and mental health services.
This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?
As a lifelong Harrisburg native, I deeply understand the issues facing our residents because I myself have experienced many of them. I’ve lost loved ones to gun violence and have seen our community youth become victims to a solvable problem. I know that if I’m elected, I will always make the best decision on behalf of the constituents in the city because I’m one of them. I know what it’s like to not be heard, and I don’t want others to feel that way. If elected, l plan to lead with inclusion and fairness to all. I do not believe in continuing to divide our country, instead I believe in leading with unity and being inclusive to all no matter the ethnicity, background or culture of the person.
I’d like to wish all of the candidates the very best, and sincerely I hope we all can work together, win or lose, to move this city forward.
Jennie Jenkins-Dallas
Which city issue are you most passionate about?
I am passionate about housing, which is four separate but connected issues.
First, only 27% of current Harrisburg residents own their homes; by increasing homeownership, we increase our tax base and promote civic pride. If elected, I plan to organize a coalition of housing initiatives to help people establish financial stability and provide them with assistance in buying their first home.
Second, we need to help existing homeowners, especially low-income and elderly residents. There are programs to pay for repairs like roofing and hot water tanks, but we must be proactive in connecting them with those programs to avoid houses falling into disrepair.
Third, we must address homelessness. We will likely see a sharp rise in homelessness when COVID eviction moratoriums expire, and we need to be ready. The city should be strengthening coalitions to find innovative solutions, like the proposed tiny house project for homeless veterans.
Finally, we must tackle the public housing system’s needs by improving management, increasing housing choices, modernizing units and prioritizing resident safety. By expanding job placement and education resources, we can give folks the tools to change their circumstances and move from public housing into homeownership.
This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?
I have the wide-ranging experience needed to serve the people of Harrisburg. I was a police officer in the city for 11 years. I am a businesswoman publishing two newspapers, a woman of faith and a wife, mother and grandmother. As the only Latino woman in the race, I represent the diversity that makes Harrisburg so wonderful. Above all, I have the drive, energy and determination to use my experience to effectuate real change. Learn about my complete platform at www.votejennie.com.
[Editor’s Correction: Jennie Jenkins-Dallas states above that she is the only “Latino woman” in the race. This is not accurate. Shamaine Daniels originally hails from Venezuela.]
Robert Lawson
Which city issue are you most passionate about?
I personally feel that Harrisburg is the Crown Jewel of PA. We have a wonderful and diverse population. We’re large enough that you experience an urban flair, yet not so big that you feel lost in the noise. We are home to a great burgeoning art scene, have many great young thinkers, blossoming entrepreneurs and punch way above our weight class in producing athletic talent.
Harrisburg however, has an inferiority complex. This is due to nearly one-third of our residents living below the poverty line. Roughly the same number of residents live a nomadic existence within our city borders, as they deal with evictions and/or substandard housing. Poverty leads to instability. Instability leads to stress. Stress leads to poor school performance, which leads to juvenile delinquency, which leads to over policing, etc.
My passion is to attack the root of Harrisburg’s ills. The “Buy Back Our Blocks” initiative will attack poverty and improve the quality of life by taking a massive effort in improving Harrisburg’s declining housing stock. We must tackle this by investing in our residents by hiring Harrisburg-based and minority-owned contractors. We must rebuild our neighborhoods in the image of the current residents. These residents will in turn support their local restaurants, beauty shops, furniture stores and more. It’s all about recycling our dollars.
This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?
I have noticed that we share similar viewpoints on the issues, to varying degrees. We do not, however, share the same hierarchy of importance. Each candidate believes in economic opportunity, I however, believe that is THE issue. We can create a city where the citizens thrive, and then other issues will take care of themselves. I am seeking real solutions to root problems. I have a history of over 20 years in the mortgage and real estate industry; my solutions can provide tangible results. This is a chance to provide real relief in a city that I love.
Jocelyn Rawls
Which city issue are you most passionate about?
The city issues I am most passionate about are the establishment of more innovative youth programs and activities, access to mental health services, success for a variety of small businesses and the continued beautification of Harrisburg. My passion is in working as a community and creating a family environment where each resident is valued, important and acknowledged. We must bring humanity and compassion to the forefront in order to move “Harrisburg Forward.”
This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?
What sets me apart from the other candidates is that I have already been a public servant for the past 15 years. As a teacher and mother, I have been fighting for the rights of those who may not be able to fight for themselves. My life experiences have taught me the importance of teamwork, collaboration and unity.
If I am elected to the Harrisburg city council, I will always remember why I ran for office. I am running for Harrisburg city council to support the city of Harrisburg. I am running to serve the people and make sure that their voices are heard. When making decisions, I will always ask myself, how will this decision provide opportunities, support and safety for the residents of Harrisburg? I will not forget them and I will work to make sure that our city government works for the people. I will be a public servant. My campaign is not about Jocelyn Rawls; it is about the residents of Harrisburg.
Ralph Rodriguez
Which city issue are you most passionate about?
While I realize there are a plethora of issues in our city, investing in our youth is vital to moving Harrisburg forward. Providing opportunities and resources to our children is investing in the infrastructure of our future. The parks and recreation department in our city needs additional programming and revamping to occupy and cater to our younger demographic. Especially now, during a global pandemic, while most families are indoors and parents need outlets for their children. Educational STEAM-based initiatives encourage artistic development, community involvement and physical education. Public safety will drastically improve over time by channeling the energy of our youth to productive and positive initiatives. Having a background in program development and coordination, I feel I’ll be an asset to the City of Harrisburg as chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee.
This is a large field of candidates; what sets you apart from the others?
For over a decade I’ve shown consistency and innovation throughout my work. To date, my efforts have assisted thousands of at-risk families in Central PA with basic needs, emergency resources and holiday relief. Through my advocacy for social equality, I’ve led protests that included guests such as Governor Wolf, Mayor Eric Papenfuse and Police Commissioner Thomas Carter that influenced the signing of (HB 1841 & 1910) towards police reform in PA. My most recent honors are both The Central Pennsylvania Business Journal Innovation Award and the endorsement from the Dauphin County Democratic Committee. As your next councilman, I’ll ensure that our citizens are top priority in every piece of legislation voted on. I vow that every dollar allocated will benefit the stakeholders of this municipality. On May 18 vote Ralph Rodriguez for city council, number seven on the Ballot “Because You Deserve More.”
For School Board
The primary ballot this year will be a long one.
Besides mayoral and City Council slates, Harrisburg voters will need to choose their next crop of school board directors.
Seven Democrats are vying for four, four-year seats on the board. The following is a list of the candidates in alphabetical order.
- Michael Balsbaugh
- Brian Carter (incumbent)
- Jorge Collazo
- Roslyn Copeland
- Jaime Johnsen
- Ezra Match (cross-filed as a Democrat and Republican)
- Danielle Robinson (incumbent)
In addition, one Democrat, Terricia Radcliff, is running for the lone two-year seat on the board.
The primary election is set for May 18.
To learn more about the school board candidates and their platforms, look for our online story.
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