Daria Devlin: Erie, it's time for change and real solutions to serious problems

Yahoo

13-05-2025

Running for public office is tough. The sharp elbows of politics cut across gender, race, reality and political party, leaving good people discouraged and afraid to run. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself in the political arena — and I'm running against one of the good guys. Joe Schember is a nice man with a lot to be proud of, and I wish him the best.
But over the past year, I've spoken with thousands of Erieites — from every ward, every neighborhood, every walk of life — and the message I've heard is clear: People love this city, but they're worried about the direction we're headed. There is a growing belief that it's time for change — for new energy, new ideas and a new chapter of leadership at City Hall.
Erie deserves a mayor who will lead with the urgency that this moment demands — and with the vision to seize our full potential. Someone who won't just manage decline, but who will fight for our collective future and chart a path forward that includes all of us.
This means facing our challenges head-on. Erie is confronting a structurally unsound city budget that, without swift and significant intervention, will lead us down the path to state takeover within five years. We're in the midst of a housing crisis that demands a long-term strategy, not band-aid solutions and summer projects. We have the highest child poverty rate in Pennsylvania and a shrinking population, with no clear plan to reverse these trends. These aren't just data points — they're signs of a city in need of bold, responsive and forward-thinking leadership.
If elected, I will be a mayor who shows up — in a crisis, at community events and at every table where decisions are made. I will be a mayor who listens deeply, leads decisively and always acts in the best interest of our people. I'll fight for Erie not just here at home, but in the halls of power in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. I'll be a champion for our neighborhoods, our youth, our businesses and our shared future.
As our team heads into the closing days of this race, I'm proud that my run for Mayor of Erie has been a respectful, real and honest campaign that has been filled with the hope and promise of what Erie can be. It has been a campaign that reflects who I am, how I'll lead, and the set of values that I'll bring to City Hall.
I'm proud of the grassroots support that our campaign has built over the last six months. We've welcomed business owners, community leaders, college students, new voters, retirees, former elected officials, Erie natives, New Americans, renters, landlords, homeowners and transplants into our coalition. Together, our team has talked to thousands of Erie residents who have shared their concerns — and their dreams — for our city. And regardless of which ward or which neighborhood we visited, we've found a universal connection around our love of Erie and our desire to see it thrive, not settle for sustained mediocrity. We've found a shared belief that Erie can, and must, do better.
From my early days growing up in a rectory in Erie's historic bayfront, I was instilled with a deep commitment to service and a sense of responsibility to give back to the community that shaped me. My husband Neal and I chose to make Erie our home, to raise our three sons here, and to invest our lives in helping this city thrive — for them, and for every family who calls Erie home. Now I want to make Erie a city my boys will choose to return to, like I did — a place where they can build a life, a career and a future of their own.
For the past 15 years, I've worked to strengthen this city — from raising funds and public awareness on key issues to leading investment on Erie's east side. I'm proud to serve as an elected director on the Erie School Board and as an appointed member of the Erie Port Authority and the newly formed City Revitalization & Improvement Zone (CRIZ) Authority. I've overseen multi-million dollar budgets in both municipal and nonprofit sectors, led complex development projects, managed teams of people, and led with conviction and integrity. I've dedicated my career to service, and I'm ready to bring that experience to the mayor's office.
But more than a résumé, what drives me is love — deep, enduring love for this city. I love Erie's rich history and resilient spirit. I love its diverse neighborhoods and the people who call them home. I love our quirks and our character. I love the rebirth that's just beginning — and I believe in the bright future we can build together.
I know this work won't be easy. Erie's financial realities and old-school politics will continue to challenge us. But we can do hard things — if we do them together. If we remain committed to collaboration, transparency and bold determination. If we're willing to shake loose the status quo and pursue real solutions: a long-term financial plan, a comprehensive housing strategy, investment in youth and workforce development, and policies that truly center equity and opportunity for all.
More: 'It's time for change' - why Daria Devlin entered the Erie mayor's race now | Opinion
Now is the time for change. The kind of change that doesn't just promise to do better — but actually delivers.
If you've met me, you've likely heard me say it — but for every reader across Erie, I'll say it again: This city has given me so much. If you elect me as your next mayor, I will give it everything I have. Every decision, every effort, every day — I will lead with love, with vision, and with the fierce belief that Erie's best days are still ahead.
Let's build that future together.
Daria Devlin is seeking the Democratic nomination in the May 20th Erie mayoral primary.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Devlin: Erie's best days are still ahead | Opinion