I’m Selena King, running for state Senate in Pennsylvania’s 49th District. This isn’t just a  campaign — it’s about making real change for our Erie community. I’m investing in better homes, schools, and jobs for all of us. My campaign for state Senate in Pennsylvania’s 49th District is more than a political pursuit; it’s a lifelong commitment to service, advocacy, and progress.

I’m in this race to ensure Erie County’s voice is heard loud and clear. Our city and county should be where everyone can live equitably, find good paying jobs, and have community pride. We want an Erie where everyone can succeed, where health care is accessible for all, and our neighborhoods are safe and possibilities become realities.

My diverse background has always been rooted in service and problem-solving. As a former Clean Air Moms PA member, I advocated for clean air for our youngest and most vulnerable community members. During that time I had the unique opportunity to sit at the table with policymakers in Washington, D.C. and Harrisburg to discuss environmental issues that affect our future leaders. As the former chair of the Erie Dems Black Caucus, I have worked closely with the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus to influence policymaking on youth gun violence prevention and safety initiatives and advocated for our local WIC programs to remain in accessible areas. As an auditor with the Pennsylvania Auditor General, auditing local volunteer fire departments, I’ve worked to solve pressing fiscal challenges, and now, serving as a staff member in the U.S. Senate, my journey has been one of consistent service and empowerment of others.

I see our strength daily, especially in the women and men who keep our families and communities going. We need schools that give our kids the best start. I have served Erie’s Public Schools as a superintendent’s Community Advisory Committee member where we advocated for fair funding in Harrisburg and served on the district’s strategic planning team. Through my work with the Partnership for Erie’s Public Schools, we helped raise funds to make the new field and upgrades at Veterans Stadium a reality.

I am committed to bringing together our city and county, prioritizing economic opportunities for all community members. I believe in developing comprehensive housing and business infrastructure that supports every resident’s safe and dignified life.

I’m running to restore the promise of Erie, to empower our residents, and to ensure our voices are heard. Our campaign is about giving back to the community, fighting for accountability, and forging a stronger Erie County.

My parents, a steelworker, public school superintendent, and pastor, taught me it’s not enough to work hard — you must help others. They’ve been a role model for me, inspiring me to work hard and fight for the things that matter to people in northwestern Pennsylvania. That’s why I’m fighting for Erie in Harrisburg. I want to ensure our families keep more of their hard-earned money, stand up to big companies that don’t play fair, and to protect our human rights.

The primary on April 23 is not just an election; it’s a call to action for all who believe in a brighter Erie. I ask for your support to carry forward the legacy of those who have shaped our community, to be the champion Erie deserves, and to ensure that our work today writes a story of hope for generations to come.

More: Erie Democrat King, a staff member for U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, enters state Senate race

Erie, it’s time for action. Let’s vote for the future we want for our children, the health solutions we deserve, and the jobs that won’t abandon us when the going gets tough. We’re building a tomorrow that shines with the promise of what we stand for — unity, hard work, and boundless possibility. It’s a promise of a thriving Erie County, where our dreams aren’t just dreams, but a place where dreams become possible.

Selena King, of Erie, is seeking the Democratic nomination in the April 23 primary for Pennsylvania’s 49th Senatorial District, a seat that is currently held by two-term Republican Sen. Dan Laughlin. King will challenge former Erie County Democratic Party chairman Jim Wertz for the nomination. King, a Mercer County native and Gannon University graduate, formerly worked in the Pennsylvania Auditor General’s office and has spent the last year as the northwest regional representative for U.S. Sen. John Fetterman.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Democratic Pa. Senate candidate Selena King shares vision for Erie Co.