Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Shusterman announces candidacy for state rep seat
Melissa Shusterman, a fourth generation Phoenixville resident, Conestoga High School graduate, business owner, and mother will announce her run for state representative against incumbent Republican Warren Kampf in the 157th legislative district. Shusterman is running on “common sense before politics” and hopes to utilize the recent Democratic energy to flip this district.
Shusterman said she is not a career politician, rather she’s a passionate citizen who loves her community and is fed up with the political gridlock in Harrisburg. As state representative, Shusterman said she will fight to protect seniors, put Pennsylvania on the path to fiscal responsibility, and put an end to the Keystone tests.
Shusterman currently resides in Schuylkill Township with her husband, Hans, son Paris, and beloved Shih Tzu, Zoey. She started her career in the media after receiving her master’s degree in Media Studies from American University. She worked in the field for 20 years at several different startup and national media companies including: The Food Network, VH1, fx, HGTV, MTV, QVC and fuse network. While raising her son as a single mother, she founded her own business, Fedora Media. Fedora Media is a digital video production company that provides digital video for various devices and platforms. She has been an advocate for positive change and has worked on many political campaigns throughout her life. Recently she founded the Women’s Caucus of the Chester County Democratic Committee.
She said she’ll fight for the common folk because she is one of them. She said she will not be pushed around by party leaders or special interests. Instead she will listen to our community and her conscience. Throughout her campaign Shusterman said she will engage in lively dialogue across our district to ensure concerns of residents in the 157th District are heard.
Kampf has represented the 157th since 2010, when he upended incumbent Democrat Rep. Paul Drucker. Kampf is an attorney.