Community Organizer Hope Christman Will Challenge Rader for State Rep

APR 13 2022, 7:30 pm

Hope Christman

WEST END — Long-time West End community organizer Hope Christman has announce her candidacy for state representative for the newly redrawn Pennsylvania House District 176. The district is currently represented by Jack Rader, a Republican.  Ms. Christman is the only announced Democratic Party candidate for the seat.

Ms. Christman says she made the decision to run for the State House of Representatives to be the voice of her fellow citizens. “I speak to so many people who feel their voices are not being heard,” she says. “They are frustrated because it seems like those in power do nothing to make their lives better. I am running for state representative to truly represent them in Harrisburg.”

Her community organizing endeavors began in 1987 with a car wash to raise money for a summer camp for children with HIV/AIDS. She continued on to eventually become director of the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network Food Pantry during its transition from a small building to a much larger campus with greatly expanded services.

She is a founding member of the Pleasant Valley Youth Association and the West End Pink Light Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness, and served on the Board of Directors for the American Cancer Society, Monroe County Unit; Planned Parenthood of NEPA; and PA NOW. She is a graduate of Leadership Pocono, and has been recognized by East Stroudsburg University’s Women for Awareness and the Monroe County Commissioners’ Women’s Commission for outstanding leadership.

Ms. Christman is a graduate of Pocono Mountain High School and has lived most of her life in the West End of Monroe County. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from East Stroudsburg University and a master’s degree in Social Work from Marywood University.  She also serves as a hospice social worker.  

As a state representative, she vows to work for common-sense property tax reform; affordable and equitable quality education for children, along with adult advanced learning and trade education; and a sorely needed increase in mental health services for the community.  She says she is “passionate about giving a voice to those who feel ignored,” and her platform includes focusing on help for small business owners who have been overlooked by the current state legislature.

The Primary Election is Tuesday, May 17. To learn more about the candidate, readers can visit, visit Hope4PA.com.

The 176th House District includes Chestnuthill, Eldred, Hamilton, Jackson, Polk, Ross, Tobyhanna, and Tunkhannock Townships.