Leading our community through an unprecedented pandemic, has proven the possibilities of what our public schools can do while also shining a light on the much needed investments that we must see come from our state. Our communities cannot continue to rely on property taxes to fund our schools. Serving on the school board has only further ignited my passion to keep the fight going to save our public schools and fight for fair funding for children across Pennsylvania.
Meet the Candidate
Next, read this post of our 2024 primary election season series ‘Political Q&A’ with progressive candidates throughout Pennsylvania. Candidates can be anywhere in Pennsylvania running for any level of office. Please note that these are not necessarily endorsements, more of an opportunity for candidates to connect with the LGBTQ community, progressives neighbors, and others with an interest in Western Pennsylvania. If your candidate would like to participate in ase contact us pghlesbian at gmail dot com. We welcome candidates at all levels of government across the entire Commonwealth.
These Q&A’s are lengthy because there is a lot of ground to cover.
By participating in this Q&A series, candidates are saying that they
- are an LGBTQIA+ ally, specifically supporting equality and dignity for transgender persons
- identify as pro-choice
- recognize the 2020 election of President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris
Ashley’s campaign reached out to me in early February, requesting that I create a Q&A for her campaign. I was not familiar with Ashley so I took some time to learn about her and understand her campaign goals. I was struck by how well she tied school board experience to being part of the General Assembly, especially as I myself believe school funding should be at the state level. Ashley also has a lot of interesting things to say on environmental matters.
Name: Ashley Comans
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Office Sought: PA State House 34th District
1. How do you describe your identity? Cis Black working mom.
Questions and Answers
2. Tell us about your district. What is a hidden gem most people might not know about? The new 34th District has become an even more diverse community which has been a key part of transformational change in our region. This district, and one of its newest voting blocks, has its own tale of two cities within its 2+ square mileage border that is a reflection of the broader make-up of the whole 34th district. This community is a melting pot of possibilities for leading on how we can continue to strengthen our future and say goodbye to a past our constituents have continuously voted overwhelmingly against. There’s a movement happening in Western PA that this district was a part of sparking because business as usual is not good enough for the residents of this district or for anyone across our state for that matter. This district knows that we are still in a fight where everyone earns a fair wage, can afford a good home, and feel safe in their neighborhood. The voters are showing they don’t want to go back to the way it used to be.
I support Governor Shapiro’s appeal for Pennsylvania to join RGGI as an important step for regulation and the removal of greenhouse gasses. In addition we must work to prevent fracking projects and empower counties and cities to ban this unpopular and environmentally damaging industry.
3. You are currently serving on the Wilkinsburg School District (since 2017.) How has your understanding of the district evolved since you took office.
Since serving on the WSD Board I have gained a huge understanding of how important our school boards are and the direct impact board leadership has on our schools and the community at-large. Prior to joining our school board, all I knew was our neighborhood had the highest taxes in the county and we had closed all but two of our school buildings. Once I joined and began working alongside different board members, it was clear to understand the many skill sets you hope to find in your board members from youth/community services, finances and budgeting, community engagement, and being open to learning and leaning into the work of supporting our district teachers, administrators, and staff who have been trained to educate our children. Sometimes we are fortunate and we have a former educator on the board to give their expertise on education. Doing the work of lowering our taxes, while completing the renovation of one of our school buildings, restructuring our elementary schools to a primary and intermediate building structure, including Spanish for our students PreK to 6, and leading our community through an unprecedented pandemic, has proven the possibilities of what our public schools can do while also shining a light on the much needed investments that we must see come from our state. Our communities cannot continue to rely on property taxes to fund our schools. Serving on the school board has only further ignited my passion to keep the fight going to save our public schools and fight for fair funding for children across Pennsylvania.
4. Do you support reelecting President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024? Why or why not?
Yes. A Trump presidency would be catastrophic to our communities.
5. The class of 2022 has been touted as the most diverse ever. Western PA sent three openly LGBTQ women, one of whom is Black, one a Jewish woman, and one autistic woman. We elected a Jewish man as Governor and a Black man as Lt. Governor. And we sent Summer Lee, a Black woman to the US Congress. How did all of this representation manifest in the work of the General Assembly?
I have been on the front lines of supporting movement candidates who initially broke a glass ceiling in western PA politics in 2018. I am very proud of seeing the transformational change it has made to our political leadership in Western PA. We will not look backwards with this seat. As a Black working mom, who was raised in this district, I have a deep commitment to my community and I don’t want to see it go back to a business as usual/status quo that this electorate has overwhelmingly voted against since 2018.
6. How is a competitive primary election good for residents of a district?
Pro democracy and voter turnout in 2024 is so important. I believe every voter deserves a choice on the ballot and the voters in this district didn’t get that choice. This district has overwhelmingly been in support of candidates and elected officials who have been a part of the political revolution we have seen in Western PA over the past several years. I have been a part of that work and I believe this particular district has only become even more rooted in being a catalyst for that change we are seeing in our region. We have one of the most important general elections in front of us this fall and having an organizer and community advocate in this office to drive turnout and mobilize the community is maybe the most important thing we need to see from our representative at this moment.
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7. One of your major issues is to ensure ‘out-of-school’ time for students. Please explain this concept and why it matters to you?
Out-of-school time includes any program students are attending outside of their regular school day. Including but not limited to before school care, after school care, and summer time care. Over the past several years I have done work in the out-of-school time space which has given me a front row seat to understanding the importance of safe spaces for young people before and after school. Many families don’t start or get off work in alignment with the times our students attend school. It is important young people have a place to go where they can be safe, supported academically, socially, and nutritionally. While I’ve been out knocking on doors, a recurring message from parents I talk to is how do we create more activities for our young people after school and in the summer time as well as prevention of community violence. Investing in out-of-school time for our youth is a known solution for community needs and safety.
8. How do you stay connected with the LGBTQ community in Pennsylvania? Through my work in the community I have always made it a point to collaborate and connect with marginalized groups because I believe that is where some of our most effective leaders come from. Fighting to be accepted as their whole selves. I make it a priority to stay connected to the LGBTQIA+ community. As a Black woman I understand what it’s like to not have my voice in the room when decisions are made or my rights not being considered. I understand as we are taking space we make space for the LGBTQ+ community which includes surrounding myself with people in the community and taking the time to educate myself on issues we are fighting for. Because none of us are free if all of us aren’t free.
9. What specific board actions have you supported to affirm LGBTQIA students? Specific board actions we have taken in the Wilkinsburg school district where we serve students PreK to 6, includes providing Professional Development for our teachers, administrators and staff to inform them on how to foster safe environments for our LGBTQIA+ students.
10. How does serving as a School Board Director prepare you to serve in the General Assembly?
Serving on the school board over the past several years has given me a deep understanding of what it means to govern, budget, collaborate in policy making and community, build partnerships, and be in service to the community. This work in addition to building relationships across the region has allowed me to build a network that will only grow and help to continue to strengthen the way we engage in our government at all levels with the people we represent being centered in the choices we are making.
11. The Democrats gained control of the PA House in 2022. What impact did that have on Pennsylvania politics overall?
With democratic control in the PA House, we have seen a glimpse of how we can move as a state with a trifecta – Democrat in the Governor’s seat, increasing our house majority and flipping the state senate. It’s why now I think it’s only right that we continue to build on our movement to strengthen our majority by working across the region to flip more seats blue. That requires meeting the people where they are at, lifting up more candidates who are in the work of organizing and mobilizing our communities to be engaged in electoral politics, and electing fighters in seats like this (overwhelmingly Democratic) to organize for the change we need.
12. As of mid-January, three anti-LGBTQ bills have already been introduced in Pennsylvania. Nationwide, 398 bills are active in 36 states, a number I expect will exponentially grow by the time we publish this Q&A. Pennsylvania legislators want to disregard sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools, both in terms of class curricula (PA HB319) and banning participation in sports (PA HB216.) How is this election tied to stopping this onslaught targeting transgender children and adults?
This is a time where we can’t afford to be silent or stop fighting for raising awareness, providing safety, protecting and elevating the voices of transgender community. This election and every moment outside of a campaign season should be about organizing and mobilizing in our communities so we are lifting up more candidates who are going to fight to protect the most marginalized people in our communities. A rising tide lifts all boats and I am committed to continuing to center the voices of people who are still feeling unheard and left behind.
13. Your website states that good stewards of environmental resources hold corporate polluters accountable for those who work and live in our district. Please explain some concrete state level methods of accountability for your district.
I support Governor Shapiro’s appeal for Pennsylvania to join RGGI as an important step for regulation and the removal of greenhouse gasses. In addition we must work to prevent fracking projects and empower counties and cities to ban this unpopular and environmentally damaging industry. State level action we can take to hold polluters accountable in my district includes robust monitoring and reporting requirements for emissions to keep track of pollution levels. Passing laws aimed at tightening regulations on emissions. When these levels are exceeded we need to increase penalties for those not following set guidelines because destroying our environment cannot be part of the cost of doing business.. I believe community engagement is also important so the government can have a clear understanding of the concerns of the community while also involving the community in the decision-making process for how we keep control of the measures that are in place. Educating the community is also key so they are aware of the risk factors impacting their health and well being due to the risk factors of pollution and know how to advocate for themselves.
14. Western Pennsylvania was heavily represented, in the number of dioceses with credible allegations and victims in the Attorney General Report on Sexual abuse in the Catholic Church – including some of my friends and neighbors. How will you advocate for the victims and survivors on the state level?
I believe we should be advocating for laws to strengthen prevention, prosecution, and support for funding services for victims to heal from a devastating trauma. We can also extend or even eliminate statutes of limitations for these horrible acts and mandate reporting. I also believe we can do more to invest in education and prevention programs so people are educated.
15. .Another significant issue is the refusal of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Block Communications to provide a fair workplace or to honor their legal obligations. This is terrible for labor, but also destroying our flagship media resource. Have you taken the pledge to avoid speaking to the Post-Gazette scab employees? Upon election, what can your office do to save Pittsburgh’s daily newspaper and the fourth estate?
Yes, I have taken the pledge to avoid speaking to the Post-Gazette and I have been in support and in attendance with the striking workers at solidarity events and at meetings to plan and talk about where we go from here.
16. Voter turnout is a significant concern, especially for municipal/local elections. What advice would you offer to organizations and groups concerned with turnout in Pennsylvania?
Voter turnout has been a huge concern for many of us year after year. I believe it is important for organizations and groups to support candidates who are able to resonate with and inspire the community to show up, feel included, and motivated to know their vote is making an impact in the community. The more local your vote gets the more direct of an impact it has on you. I believe my current district has been a reflection of that when you have a candidate who does the work to meet the people where they are at and earns the vote of the community.
17. Please explain why there is concern about the date of the 2024 Primary Election,what are viable solutions, and why this matters to you,
I do not believe in holding an election during major religious holidays like we will be this year – during Passover. I wrote an op-ed with the City Paper about my personal thoughts on this upcoming election and my belief that we should make voting in our elections as accessible as possible. Incorporating options making election days a holiday. offering early voting, same day voter registration, and automatic voter registration once you turn 18 for eligible voters are all ways we can encourage people to participate in our electoral process. This is important for me because I believe it will take this kind of access for us to encourage more people to feel value in their vote because our system encourages and makes it easy for people to vote.
Many families don’t start or get off work in alignment with the times our students attend school. It is important young people have a place to go where they can be safe, supported academically, socially, and nutritionally.
18. Tell us about your endorsements.
Unions:
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 57
Progressive Movement Orgs:
Working Families Party
Pennsylvania United
OnePA
Sunrise Movement
Run for Something
Local:
Congresswoman, Summer Lee
Allegheny County Councilwoman, At-Large Bethany Hallam
Allegheny County Councilwoman, Anita Prizio
Borough of Wilkinsburg Mayor, Dontae Comans
Borough of Wilkinsburg Councilman, Moses Workman
Wilkinsburg School District Board of Directors President, Amanda Barber City of Pittsburgh Councilwoman, Barb Warwick
City of Pittsburgh Councilwoman, Deb Gross
Swissvale Borough Councilman, Fred Quin
Former Swissvale Councilwoman, Weldianne Scales
East Pittsburgh Councilwoman, Ahmonique Washington
Churchill Borough Councilwoman, Andrea Ditillo
19. Finally, what are three reasons people should vote for you/support your campaign?
We don’t live in single-issue times and our community deserves a representative who will fight for the many needs of our community, not only what benefits me. My work as a community servant goes beyond my service on the school board. From my work in maternal and child health to the local non-profits I have served and volunteered with for the past decade is because I believe it is on us to do the work to create a better tomorrow for generations to come.
This is the first time our community gets to have a choice for who represents them prior to this seat being filled in a special election where the voters did not get to choose after Summer Lee resigned from this seat. I will work every single day to earn the support of the community and work hard until every constituent in my district has access to good schools where our kids can learn; clean water we can drink, clean air we can breathe, and homes we can afford to live in. I know that we need to build real opportunities that provide access to wealth, employment, resources, and a better standard of living. And we need a state representative who understands our most urgent needs. I have lived
through some of our worst times and I know we have brighter days ahead as long as we keep a fighter for the people in this seat and not go back to the status quo we have already shown we are done with.
As the State Representative for this district, I will represent everyone from all 13 neighborhoods which make up this district. As a lifelong resident of this district I have deep rooted connections with folks from all 13 neighborhoods that make up this district because this has been my community my whole life. My fight for the future of this is personal because this community has kept me rooted here and inspires me every single day to give it my all because this community has done that for me.
20. Please list your social media accounts and your donation links.
Facebook:www.facebook.com/AshleyRComans
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyrcomans/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ashleyrcomans
Donation link: https://www.ashleycomans.com/donate
21. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
There’s a movement happening in Western PA that I helped to build this new reality of who our elected officials can be alongside other organizers with a momentum we created together. We’re seeing a new type of politics, and we’re winning. I know that business as usual is not good enough. I will be a State Representative who works for the people, not for powerful institutions. I will do what it takes to ensure we do right by workers and our communities, not wealthy donors and elite power brokers.
Thank you, Ashley
Other Q&A’s
In addition, read other Q&A’s in this election cycle series. You can read previous cycle Q&A’s here. If your candidate would like to participate, please contact us pghlesbian at gmail dot com.
- 2024 Political Q&A with Makenzie White: What You Need to Know About This Candidate for PA Senate District 45
- 2024 Political Q&A with Summer Lee: What You Need to Know About This Candidate for US House District 12
- 2024 Political Q&A with Arvind Venkat: What You Need to Know About This Incumbent Candidate for PA House District 30
- 2024 Political Q&A with Eugene DePasquale: What You Need to Know About This Candidate for Pennsylvania Attorney General
- 2024 Political Q&A with Lindsay Powell: What You Need to Know About This Incumbent Candidate for PA House District 21
- 2024 Political Q&A with Ashley Comans:What You Need to Know About This Candidate for PA House District 34
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