One-On-One with Luis Medina
by Taylor Lightman and Jordi Comas
Democrats in Union County have four candidates running for County Commissioner, two candidates will be selected during the May 21st primary to advance to the general election. We, here at BarnstormingPA, are committed to giving folks a more in depth look at all the candidates running without bias.
Taylor and Jordi emailed a list of questions to each candidate and we will be publishing them as we get them. First up, is Luis O. Medina who was the first Democrat to announce. He is a Mobile Therapist and Counselor currently serves on Lewisburg Borough Council and we are excited to share his answers with you. You can learn more about Luis at his facebook page. Stay tuned for more interviews.
Background:
BarnstormingPA (BPA): What inspired you to run for Union County Commissioner?
Luis Medina (LM): I was inspired to run for Union County Commissioner by the big numbers of openly LGBTQ+ candidates around the USA. I want to serve my community in a larger context. I hope to inspire other people who are part of a minority group to run for office, especially in rural places like Union County.
I also want to seek expansion of the rail trail, especially in connecting and making a better, safer way for students who walk to the new high school to do so. I want to better educate the board, staff, and citizens on the substance use disorders, especially the opioid, and explore more options for treatment. I want to explore renewable energy jobs and better access for high speed internet. I am inspired to bring civil rights issues into the conversation at the county level.
BPA: What are your core values that guide your decision-making process?
LM: I believe that governing is a force to do good for our community. I believe that elected officials should serve the people and listen to their constituents no matter what political party or ideology they come from. Whether or not someone disagrees with you, part of the job is to listen. We also need to bring back practical, common sense solutions and work together for the betterment of our community. I believe in equality under the law for LGBTQ+ people. I believe in community and in supporting local businesses, whether it is sitting down at a restaurant for a bite to eat or buying art at an arts festivals. I am a true believer in providing opportunities for people to succeed — when individuals are successful, families are successful, and the whole community is successful.
BPA: What differentiates you from the other Democratic candidates for commissioner?
LM: My advocacy for civil rights for the LGBTQ+ community and my professional experience as a mental health therapist and drug and alcohol counselor. These experiences have provided me with the skills to help the board be more informed on the substance use disorder issues, programing, funding, etc.
Policy & Governing:
BPA: What will be your top priorities if elected to serve?
LM: My top priorities for a first term, if elected for commissioner, is to explore renewable energy resources that can provide the opportunity for more jobs/careers in this area. Further, we must invest in solar and wind energy for buildings that are managed by the county, saving county money in energy expenses. I propose that the county, in conjunction with the court and county legal systems and treatment programs, take an active approach to the opioid epidemic. I would seek to create and expand the rail trail system that provides opportunity for tourism and safer walkability in rural areas.
BPA: Flooding certainly poses the biggest natural threat to the resiliency of Union County. What do you think can be done to address this threat?
LM: This threat, I believe, is being addressed by the individual municipalities. I encourage all municipalities to take an active approach to applying for grants from the state to work on flood plain restoration projects.
BPA: Do you think the commissioners should be working to address bicycling and pedestrian issues? If so, what can be done at the county level?
LM: Yes I do believe so — we can start with the expansion of the rail trail system. Union County has created the Trail Authority and is in the process of taking over the rail.
BPA: In 2018, citizens petitioned the current commissioners to endorse the Fair Districts bill. Two of the three refused stating that they had no validity to comment on issues “beyond the county.” Do you agree that the proper role for county commissioners is to be silent on issues of state and national importance? If there is a role, what is it?
LM: Fair districts affect all levels of government including county government. A county could be split into two congressional US district. For instance, Northumberland County is split into two congressional districts, with part of it in the 12th US Congressional district, and the other in the 9th district.
To their point, a county commissioner needs to focus on county issues since it is a lot of work. Commissioners should focus on local issues since the scope of their power is limited to the county with that being said, there is a role for county commissioners to comment on state and national issues because everything is connected. Commissioners do not have the power to change state or national laws, but certainly a commissioner can make comments on state or national issues as it affects everyone involved.
Campaigning:
BPA: How is your campaign going so far? What are you doing to get out your message?
LM: My campaign is off to a good start. I was the first Democrat to announce my candidacy for the nomination. As of now, the campaign is focused on collecting signature by door knocking, talking to voters about the issues facing Union County today. I am very fortunate to be running as a candidate in the Democratic Primary and I hope to be one of the two nominees for Union County Commissioner.
BPA: What do you think about raising and spending money for a county commissioner race?
LM: I think that raising and spending money is important and needed in this race, especially from individual donors. Campaigns need to raise and spend money responsibly. Campaigning requires finances due to printing costs of flyers, promotional objects etc.. The how much needs to be raised and spent I don’t know because this is, at least to my knowledge, the first time that there is much interest in the commissioners race.
BPA: Two candidates will be selected by Democratic voters from the primary to run in the general. Assuming you are one of the two, what will be your approach in the general? Democrats would like to see two commissioners. How do you plan to win?
LM: I will be talking to people directly through hosting events and canvassing. We have many different candidates with unique experiences that will be an asset for the job of commissioner. My goal is to elect a democratic majority to bring about new ideas like renewable energy, better internet broadband access for the county, expansion of rail trail, and county-wide civil rights. The two nominated candidates should run has a team and have a common vision for Union County. They should also highlight their professional background that will allow them to serve in this role.
BPA: Voter turn-out is always lower in municipal elections. It is also lower among younger and poorer voters. How will these factors affect your campaign?
LM: I’m not sure how these factors will affect my campaign, but eventually I will find out. I plan on doing outreach in these areas as I can identify with the struggles of being a college graduate with student loan debt and being part of the working poor. Outreach can make a reason and I plan to do that.
Welp, that’s all folks! Thanks for reading and connect with Luis if you’d like to help his campaign! I think he sums up his campaign well when he states, “my goal is to elect a democratic majority to bring about new ideas like renewable energy, better internet broadband access for the county, expansion of rail trail, and county-wide civil rights.”
We’ll be publishing interviews with Stacy Richards, Heidi Ruckno, and Trey Casimir soon.
