Cindy Kirk vs. Arvind Venkat
Meet the candidates for Pa. House District 30
The Post-Gazette submitted a series of three questions to candidates running for state office in Western Pennsylvania.
1. Q: Who are you and why are you qualified to represent the 30th House District?
Kirk: I’m Cindy Kirk, a trusted nurse, an Air Force mom, and a lifetime volunteer. This community is my home. I was born here, and together with my husband Bill, raised our two children, who thrived in our fantastic public schools. I continue to do everything I can to help our area be even stronger. I started as a candy striper at age 12 and grew up to become a nurse, earning my BS and master’s degree in nursing from the University of Pittsburgh. As a working mom, I still found time to serve our local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, serving as PTA president twice over, and then serving on the Northland Library Foundation Board. I represented us on Allegheny County Council for six years as a fierce advocate for our communities. On council, we repaired our aging roads and bridges, increased lead testing for children, supported the Head Start program for kids, got companies to invest over a billion dollars in clean air, and renovated our parks. We did all of this by being bipartisan and without ever raising property taxes. I treat my neighbors the same way I treat my patients; I listen, I understand their needs, and work together to get them the carethey need.
Venkat: I am an emergency physician, a 15-year resident of McCandless, a member of the Board of the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority, a former president of the state emergency physicians organization who spoke with our community throughout the pandemic on how to stay safe and move forward with our lives during a once-in-acentury public health crisis, and, most importantly, a husband and father. I am qualified to represent the 30th District because the major challenges we are facing — making health care more affordable and accessible, investing in our police, EMS, and fire services, protecting reproductive rights, curbing gun violence, making our economy work for all and getting more people into the workforce, and preserving our democracy — are areas where I both have expertise and a track record of advocating for successfully.
2. Q: Why are you running for the 30th House District?
Kirk: Roberto Clemente said, “Anytime you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on this earth.” I feel like now more than ever we need to take a commonsense approach to governing. As a nurse and a mom, I just feel like I must do something. We have rampant inflation and rising interest rates. Folks can’t afford groceries, gas for their cars, or energy to warm their homes, and it feels like there is no end in sight, but it doesn’t have to be this way ...That is why I am running.
Venkat: I am running for the 30th House District because I love this community and believe that my background as an emergency physician and advocate are particularly suited to this moment. When COVID hit, I was president of the state emergency physicians organization and a member of the Board of the McCandless-Franklin Park