My name is Vanna Howard and I am announcing my candidacy as a Democrat for the 17th Middlesex District State Representative seat. After surviving the Killing Fields of Cambodia and speaking little English, the Greater Lowell area welcomed me and provided me with the opportunity to live in safety and peace. Since that time, I have secured my college degree, married, raised a family and made many friends in this region, built a career, and immersed myself in community life. I am running because I strongly feel the need to give back to a place which has been so good to me; because I feel I have the skills, knowledge, and experience to capably serve the residents of this district; and because these unprecedented times are right for a fresh and effective voice on Beacon Hill.
Every resident of the Commonwealth deserves a safe, healthy, affordable place to live. With spiraling costs and lack of supply – not to mention reduced participation on the Federal level – Massachusetts needs to engage in innovative solutions to a growing housing crisis. The Legislature has the ability (if not the willpower) to address urgent housing challenges, which include lack of affordable housing, high barriers to home ownership, and overpriced or substandard rental units. Too often, these issues result in families deciding between lodging and other necessities.
We must ensure the safety of the most vulnerable among us - our seniors, people with underlying conditions, communities of color, health care workers, first responders, and essential workers. Straight talk, honesty, and clear communication with residents are critical right now.
My priority is getting people safely back to work and rebuilding our local economy. I am a strong advocate for small business and working people. I’ll use my public service experience and skillset to help our communities get the attention and funding we need and deserve. We should also take this opportunity to declare energy independence by investing in the new green jobs of the future.
This year’s widespread Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and other indiscriminate killings have been a wakeup call to many Americans. As a Cambodian woman, I am no stranger to the discrimination and structural inequities faced by communities of color. I am proud to join local leaders and over 1500 members of the public in declaring racism to be a public health crisis in Lowell. As State Representative, I will help to lead these discussions and I will listen.
Parents, teachers, and activists worked for years to pass the Student Opportunity Act and I will fight to see it implemented and fully funded. I will also push for universal access to pre-K and childcare, safe clean schools, fair compensation for teachers, and equal opportunity for low-income students, students of color, and students with disabilities.