Rich Lazer will bring people together

To the Times: I’m a lifelong resident of Delaware County — and proud alum of Monsignor Bonner High School — and I will vote for Rich Lazer to be our new congressman in the May 15 Democratic primary. Electing people to higher office should be about their vision and accomplishments — not about geography. Rich Lazer has a proven track record and long list of achievements, especially for someone who is only 33.

When the Transport Workers Union went on strike against SEPTA for better wages and more secure health care benefits for their families, Lazer was instrumental in negotiating a settlement that got the whole region back on track and back to work again. He kept education in focus when he worked behind the scenes to secure a contract settlement with teachers, giving these hard-working educators a long-overdue pay increase. Lazer also stood up for low-wage workers at the airport, helping them get a pay hike from $7.50 to $12 per hour with $15 per hour in sight.

As a regional labor leader, I’ve had the privilege to work closely with Rich Lazer during his tenure as a deputy mayor under Mayor Jim Kenney. He has a unique talent for bringing people together — bridging differences and finding common ground. Rich Lazer doesn’t just sit across from you at the negotiating table, he stands shoulder to shoulder with you on the issues of economic fairness and workers’ rights. I agree with Kenney, who said, “Rich Lazer is one of the smartest and hardest-working young people (he) knows.” That’s why I’m standing with Rich Lazer on May 15 and voting for him to represent us in the new 5th Congressional District.