Susan Spicka of Shippensburg to Run as Democrat for 33rd Senate District

(1/11) Susan Spicka of Shippensburg has decided to run for Pennsylvania’s 33rd Senate District, which includes portions of Cumberland, Franklin, Adams, and York counties. Spicka has been spending time talking to residents from across the four-county district and listening to their concerns as she weighs her first run for political office. Realizing that a newly-drawn district offers an opportunity for change, she feels now is the ideal time to make a run for the State Senate.

"There are nearly half a million people in Pennsylvania unable to find work. Our roads and bridges are in desperate need of repair. Our public schools are cutting programs and laying off teachers in response to declining tax revenues and the governor’s budget that cut $961 million from public education. Families are struggling to pay for college as state support for our public universities dwindles and tuition rises. The natural gas companies are making millions off our state’s natural resources, but leaving taxpayers and local communities with the bill to clean up the mess," said Spicka.

Spicka continued, "I never planned to be a politician or dreamed of running for office, but I care deeply about my community, my neighbors, and the future of our children. Since our leaders in Harrisburg seem uninterested in solving these problems, or proposing policies that might help working families, I have decided to step forward. I may not be a professional politician, but I think I could bring some common sense to state government. I believe it is time for a change in Harrisburg."

Susan Spicka, 41, is a former public school teacher and lives in Shippensburg with her husband and their two daughters. Last spring, she was one of the co-founders of Education Matters in the Cumberland Valley, an organization of parents and community members that came together to raise awareness about how public policy impacts public education and to encourage community members to support public schools.

"As a first-time candidate, I know it might be an uphill battle," said Spicka, "but if I could get even half the votes of people in the district who are fed up with shenanigans and misguided priorities of the politicians in Harrisburg, I know I would win in a landslide."

Spicka plans to hold campaign launch events and to begin circulating petitions later this month. Anyone interested in more information about the campaign may contact spickaforstatesenate@gmail.com.

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