Kesha for State Rep

Background:

As a young woman whose father is an immigrant from India and whose mother is a white woman from Illinois, I want to be a part of the changing face of politics that is making this a historic year for our nation. By supporting me, you are sharing in my belief that young people deserve to be heard and must be included in the important work of building a better Vermont.

Through my service as the UVM Student Government Association President, I have gained a deep understanding of the complex issues facing the University and Burlington, and demonstrated an ability to effect meaningful, pragmatic change. My leadership on the Mayor’s Climate Change Commission, poverty relief work with local non-profits, and role as a substitute preschool teacher have earned me respect and distinction as an integral member of the Burlington community.

Goals:

The representatives who serve Vermont’s House District Chittenden 3-4 face a unique challenge: to manage the needs and concerns of both a vibrant, diverse section of the Burlington community and the passionate, engaged student population of the University of Vermont. I am running for State Representative in Chittenden 3-4 because I am in a unique position to rise to that challenge.

I have the energy and experience that will allow me to serve my constituents in and out of session effectively and responsively. My district needs someone that will work to bridge the gap between campus and community, to help increase quality of life among permanent residents while reminding students of their rights and responsibilities as good neighbors.

We are on the cusp of a new era and we need political leadership that will work to craft meaningful solutions to our increasingly complex environmental and social problems. My goal is to create the substantial change that is accomplished by hard work, building consensus among diverse individuals, and continuing to move Vermont forward one step at a time.

Issues:

The economy, access to health care, and education are my highest priorities.

It is essential Vermont continues to attract businesses that create jobs which promote sustainability in alternative energy, resource protection, and energy efficiency. Vermonters deserve more transportation options. We must expand public transit and provide people real alternatives to driving and the need to pay outrageous gasoline prices.

Healthcare programs must be expanded to cover more citizens, increase the availability of affordable health services, and make universal healthcare a reality for Vermonters.

Quality, affordable educational opportunities should be accessible for all Vermont families, and should cultivate and attract the best and brightest to our state.

For more information on the key issues, you can visit my website: kesharam.org

Grassroots Support:

Enthusiastic and hopeful young people who subscribe to the ideals of Democracy for America are fueling my campaign. As nearly half of the registered voters in the district are between the ages of 18 and 25, they feel a renewed sense of hope in the political process. I have knocked on over 1,800 doors in the community and been met with ardent support and enthusiasm by residents from all walks of life. I have also given significant leadership roles to young people who are just learning how to use their ideas and actions to be politically engaged. This campaign is as grassroots as it gets!

DFA Values:

I have always had a deep commitment to creating a tide of change that lifts all boats. As a woman of color from a low-income background, I have firsthand experience with the economic, social, and environmental injustices that continue to plague our society. This commitment has reflected in much of my work. As the first person of color to fulfill a term as UVM Student Body President, I led the Student Government in efforts and discussions related to blood donation restrictions and their impact on the LGBT community, diversity curriculum, accessibility of higher education, bias incidents, climate change, public safety, gender equity, and more. Through my role on the Mayor's Environment and Energy Coordinating Committee, I forged a partnership between the Rubenstein School and NeighborKeepers through a pilot project to provide low-income families with energy efficient appliances, reducing their electricity bills and connecting them to environmental initiatives. The ideal of social progress has pervaded and inspired my leadership and my pathway to public service.

Fiscal responsibility as a leader and policymaker is not something I have had many opportunities to prove. In my two years of research crafting an environmental justice bill for the State of Vermont, I paid special attention to funding issues, trying to point out where short-term investments could lead to long-term financial stability. I also highlighted untapped federal resources that could relieve the burden on Vermont's small tax base while strengthening and expanding important environmental regulations for Vermont citizens. As UVM's Student Body President, I oversaw a budget of $1.5 million, a responsibility which I took very seriously. As this is made up entirely of student fees, I was constantly reminding myself and others that this money belonged to all students and should always be used for their benefit. I would do the same with the responsibility of making policy for Vermonters and work to ensure that we are using their hard-earned money to provide them with invaluable services and real results.