Middletown Twp. Supervisor Announces State Representative Candidacy

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Middletown Township Supervisor Anna Payne has announced her candidacy for state representative of the 142nd Legislative District.

The Democrat is expected to challenge Republican incumbent Joseph Hogan, who narrowly won election in November 2022 in a back-and-forth battle that gained statewide attention.

The 142nd Legislative District consists of Penndel, Middletown Township, Langhorne, Langhorne Manor, Lower Southampton Township, and parts of Northampton Township.

Payne, a lifelong Middletown Township resident, is a graduate of Neshaminy High School and Bucks County Community College.

She will seek election in the April primary election.

In 2019, Anna was first elected to the Middletown Township Board of Supervisors.

She is also the vice-chair of the Pennsylvania Rare Disease Council and co-founder of the Bucks
County Cystic Fibrosis Alliance.

“I am energized, motivated, and ready to be running for State Representative for the 142nd District," Payne said Tuesday. "I bring a record of experience and public service that make me uniquely qualified to serve. I have been a Middletown Township Supervisor since 2020 and it has been my honor and privilege to serve the residents of my community."

Payne said during her tenure, she has helped create the Human Relations Council for Middletown Township so that those who feel discriminated against have a safe place to go.

"We are also proud to have implemented the first-ever climate action plan leading to our township being awarded by the Governor’s Office for our climate initiatives in 2022," Payne said. "As a Middletown Supervisor, I have always taken pride in fighting for the issues that improve people's quality of life."

Payne said those include improving community playgrounds, connecting people with support and
services they need, adopting co-responders for the police department, and improving funding for the fire department to ensure resident safety.

As vice-chair of the Pennsylvania Rare Disease Advisory Council, Payne has advocated for patients across the state.

For the past six years, Payne has worked in the Bucks County Commissioner’s Office with Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia in helping constituents with issues they face daily.

She said those experiences have prepared her to take on the job as a state representative.

"I’m ready to take on the big fights so that no one gets left behind," Payne said. "If I earn the privilege and opportunity to be our district’s next representative, I will go to Harrisburg and deliver positive change on the issues that matter the most. For our community, this includes lowering the cost of healthcare, keeping our community safe, increasing access to life-saving 'kancer' screenings, bringing down the cost of living for our residents, protecting reproductive rights, and standing up for our fundamental freedoms for all Pennsylvanians.”

Payne was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at birth where at the time, life expectancy for such a diagnosis was in the teens. As science and medicine have evolved, Payne has done more than overcome adversity and survive, she has thrived as a leader advocating for change.

“In July of 2021, life handed me a curveball. At the young age of 34, I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon kancer (I spell kancer with a “k” because we give so much power to the “c” word and I want to show how we can take that power back) I watched as my community rallied around me as I began treatment," she said. "I immediately started to work on how my experience and story could help others."

Over the past two years, Payne has partnered with various advocacy groups and non-profit organizations to help advocate for lowering the screening age for colonoscopies and encourage others to be their own fierce advocates for their healthcare needs in the doctor's office.

"I’m so very grateful to even be here today to do that," she said. "I feel it is a badge of honor that I do not take lightly. I use my voice to honor those who are no longer with us and those who are continuing to take power away from cancer through education and advocacy. Now, I’m ready to use my voice for everyone in my community.”