2020 Candidate Profile: Ray Sosa, State Rep. 154th District

Ray Sosa

Age (as of Election Day)

53

Position Sought

Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 154th District

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Primary opponents

Gretchen Wisehart, Adrienne Redd, Jennifer Lugar, Napoleon Nelson, Jay Conners

Family

Married to Dr. Nicole Sosa and have an 18 month old baby girl , Marjory.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My grandmother was a judge and my mother was a diplomat for the USAID.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Marketing. Insurance licensed in all 50 states.

Occupation

Consultant to Management, 25 years experience.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Chairman for the Human Rights Advocacy Committee for three US Governors.

Campaign website

www.raysosafor154th.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running so that I can bring my 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors to serve the needs of the 154th District. My extensive experience in regional business development, community government programs and human rights will prove to be an asset to our community in lowering our property taxes, increasing accessibility and making our community a more attractive place to live and thrive. Our present incumbents are just not doing enough to make sure our area is affordable and will be a viable community for years to come.
The single most pressing issue facing our state/nation is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I consider climate change the base for all issues in the state. Climate change actively affects our productivity and viability as a state that relies heavily on its natural resources to succeed. Our fracking operations must be taxed appropriately and must be heavily regulated as they are a huge contributor to our climate and environmental degradation. Our cost to reverse the effects of climate degradation are in the hundreds of millions and completely justify our immediate investment in green energy alternatives.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

That I am not a township incumbent. Our incumbents have absolutely no state level experience and have presided over our brutal property taxation that is keeping employers and investors away from our area. Our budget is presently balanced in the backs of our homeowners. They just do not have the experience to build a new revenue model that protects our schools and lowers our taxes. Our neighbors are leaving their homes and if we do not act now our community will simply fade away.

I am an expert in government grants and policies to develop communities. My experience in the private sector gives me the tools to bring the right long term development to our district. I have been appointed by three US Governors in positions ranging from legislative affairs to emergency management coordination and have the experience to bring the best results to our district.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the incumbent failed the district?

Rep. Steve McCarter, our present incumbent for the 154th District is retiring. He has done a great job and we need a qualified State Representative to build on his legacy from day one. This is why I consider that my relevant state level experience makes me the best candidate to build on his legacy.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

This is only a two year position that demands targeted results that benefit our district directly. We cannot prioritize issues that even is successful will be diluted through Pennsylvania.

My three main issues are,

1) Developing our abandoned business corridors to bring investment in our communities to lower property taxes while protecting our school system. Our township taxation are very high and our residents are simply leaving their homes. This is devastating to the values of our properties and increases our taxes at 2% per year.

2) ADA compliance and accessibility. At present, we do not have a single zip code in our district that has sidewalks and easements to provide safe enjoyment of our community to our families with young children, our disabled and our wheelchair users. We have an aging community and our present incumbents have ignored this problem for over 10 years.

3) Build on Steve McCarter's legacy and leadership of community service, union protection, climate change issues, gun control and LGBT rights.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have spear headed projects that develop areas to take full advantage of transportation development. I have advised three US Governors in the development of a sustainable business communities to keep taxes low and increase long term population in defined areas. I have created grants to develop communities.

My state level experience is tailored to what our present needs are in the district and it makes me the best candidate for District 154th.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have the proven state level experience to make sure our community thrives for years to come. As a two year position, this is not an office where you can learn on the job. My experience as an appointed adviser for three Governors qualify me in ways the other candidates are not.