Lower Gwynedd, PA, January 23 — Lower Gwynedd resident Maria Collett announces that she will run as a candidate for State Senator in Pennsylvania’s 12th Senatorial District  seeking to be the first Democrat elected to the office that serves constituents in parts of Bucks and Montgomery counties.

 

A lifelong advocate for those in need, Collett worked as an attorney fighting for the needs of children victimized by abuse and neglect before transitioning to a career in nursing. Working in the areas of pediatric home health, trauma and long-term care, Collett has provided comfort and been the voice for people in their most vulnerable moments. As Senator for the 12th District of Pennsylvania (serving parts of Montgomery and Bucks counties), Collett intends to continue dedicating herself to listening to the needs of the community and bringing fresh ideas to Harrisburg where smart decisions and thoughtful discourse can lead Pennsylvania to the forefront of progressive change. Most recently, she successfully ran the campaign of Lesley F. Katz CPA who was elected to the role of Auditor in Lower Gwynedd Township in 2017.

 

As Senator for the 12th District, Collett will continue as an advocate fighting in Harrisburg for lawmakers to operate with transparency and accountability to the voters of Pennsylvania; for Pennsylvanians to have access to affordable, quality healthcare; and for public education institutions to have the funding they need to ensure Pennsylvania’s children are competitive and prepared for college, trades and careers that will ensure successful, productive lives. 

 

On why she is running, Collett has said, “Pennsylvanians are not being represented by those in Harrisburg. As a result of partisan gerrymandering, voices have been silenced. Flipping the 12th District adds one more progressive voice to our State government and gives Pennsylvanians one more voice in support of growth, change, transparency and accountability.”

 

Collett, a proud member of the Emerge-Pennsylvania 2018 cohort, describes herself as a mother, wife, daughter and patriot who believes that “our great Commonwealth and country are at their strongest when those truly American ideals of liberty and justice for all are not compromised or negotiated.” A resident of Lower Gwynedd, Collett is married to Len Collett and is the mother of a young son who just started kindergarten. The Colletts share their home with Maria’s 83-year-old father, an immigrant from Greece who sought opportunity in the United States more than 40 years ago. She earned her JD from Rutgers Law School and her BSN from Drexel’s School of Nursing.