Jessica Scarane

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Jessica Scarane completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Scarane's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-68556-2020-08-09\" id=\"heading-bio-68556-2020-08-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-68556-2020-08-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-68556-2020-08-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-68556-2020-08-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-68556-2020-08-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy name is Jess Scarane, and I'm running to be the first woman to represent Delaware in the U.S. Senate. I graduated from Syracuse University in 2006, two years before the recession, and worked a series of jobs where I was mistreated, harassed, underpaid, and lacked healthcare. I saw firsthand how our system is stacked against workers.\n<p>I moved to Delaware 10 years ago and live in Wilmington with my husband Bill, a lifelong Delawarean. For years, I've worked to make my city and state better: I mentored young students, served on the board of a local nonprofit that runs after-school programs for girls, and lobbied my elected officials to support policies that would prioritize our needs. \n</p>\nWhile I'm proud of the work these nonprofits accomplished, I know that the programs we ran were merely treating the symptoms of our state's structural problems. We need a government that will address the root causes of people's suffering: poverty, lack of housing and healthcare, and systemic racism. I'm running for office because I know we can guarantee every person a good standard of living, if we legislate to address those root causes.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-68556-2020-08-09\" id=\"heading-key-message-68556-2020-08-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-68556-2020-08-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-68556-2020-08-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-68556-2020-08-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-68556-2020-08-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>I am running a grassroots, people-powered campaign. I don't accept any corporate PAC money because I believe that representatives should only be beholden to their constituents. I'm running to represent working class people, not corporate executives and wealthy donors.</li><li>I am committed to progressive policies that will guarantee every person a good standard of living. I will fight for Medicare for All, universal housing, a Green New Deal, a livable minimum wage of at least $15/hour, and an end to mass incarceration. We have the means to take care of every single person in this country, if we shift our federal spending priorities.</li><li>For decades, status quo politics have failed us. COVID-19 has exacerbated our healthcare, housing, and racial justice crises, but these problems aren't new. I'm fighting for universal healthcare, a federal housing guarantee, living wages, and real change to our systems of policing because we can't wait any longer for elected officials to take these problems seriously. It's time to elect Senators who recognize the scale of the crises we face and will legislate accordingly.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-68556-2020-08-09\" id=\"heading1-68556-2020-08-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-68556-2020-08-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-68556-2020-08-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-68556-2020-08-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-68556-2020-08-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am passionate about policy relating to healthcare, housing, education, and economic and racial justice. I've seen how these different policy areas intersect, and I know that we have to tackle them in conjunction with each other. Medical debt is a leading cause of homelessness, and housing insecurity can cause health problems. Economic injustice drives education disparities, and all of these structural issues are worsened by systemic racism. I will fight for justice and equity across these connected policy issues.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-68556-2020-08-09\" id=\"heading2-68556-2020-08-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-68556-2020-08-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-68556-2020-08-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-68556-2020-08-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-68556-2020-08-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI believe that the most important characteristic of an elected official is to be grounded in the community. Through this campaign, I've talked to thousands of Delawareans: in person, over the phone, and during virtual town halls. Typically, politicians focus on talking to likely voters, but my campaign has centered the people who feel most disenfranchised by our current political system.<br/><br/>\nAdditionally, elected officials must be uncompromising in their values. Too often, Senators cast votes based on political expediency or for personal gain rather than for the good of their constituents. It's crucial for elected officials to resist wanting political power for power's own sake. This is why elected officials must align themselves with organizers and activists who will hold them accountable in office.<br/></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-68556-2020-08-09\" id=\"heading3-68556-2020-08-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-68556-2020-08-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-68556-2020-08-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-68556-2020-08-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-68556-2020-08-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe core responsibility of a Senator is to serve every constituent, no matter their ideology, and legislate with their best interest in mind. This doesn't just include politically active voters; it means that Senators must work to bring disenfranchised people back into the political process.<br/><br/>\n<p>Furthermore, Senators must stay beholden to their constituents, not corporations. I believe that all elected officials should refuse corporate PAC money.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nFinally, it's the responsibility of elected officials to understand how to use their power to amplify the work that organizers and activists have been doing for years. Too often, politicians base their legislative agenda on their corporate donors. It's crucial for elected officials to use their seat to work with community leaders to build the political mandate for policies that will center the needs of marginalized communities.<br/></span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1548351761485-0\"><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(\"div-gpt-ad-1548351761485-0\"); });</script></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nJessica Scarane completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Scarane's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. My name is Jess Scarane, and I'm running to be the first woman to represent Delaware in the U.S. Senate. I graduated from Syracuse University in 2006, two years before the recession, and worked a series of jobs where I was mistreated, harassed, underpaid, and lacked healthcare. I saw firsthand how our system is stacked against workers. I moved to Delaware 10 years ago and live in Wilmington with my husband Bill, a lifelong Delawarean. For years, I've worked to make my city and state better: I mentored young students, served on the board of a local nonprofit that runs after-school programs for girls, and lobbied my elected officials to support policies that would prioritize our needs. While I'm proud of the work these nonprofits accomplished, I know that the programs we ran were merely treating the symptoms of our state's structural problems. We need a government that will address the root causes of people's suffering: poverty, lack of housing and healthcare, and systemic racism. I'm running for office because I know we can guarantee every person a good standard of living, if we legislate to address those root causes. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? I am running a grassroots, people-powered campaign. I don't accept any corporate PAC money because I believe that representatives should only be beholden to their constituents. I'm running to represent working class people, not corporate executives and wealthy donors. I am committed to progressive policies that will guarantee every person a good standard of living. I will fight for Medicare for All, universal housing, a Green New Deal, a livable minimum wage of at least $15/hour, and an end to mass incarceration. We have the means to take care of every single person in this country, if we shift our federal spending priorities. For decades, status quo politics have failed us. COVID-19 has exacerbated our healthcare, housing, and racial justice crises, but these problems aren't new. I'm fighting for universal healthcare, a federal housing guarantee, living wages, and real change to our systems of policing because we can't wait any longer for elected officials to take these problems seriously. It's time to elect Senators who recognize the scale of the crises we face and will legislate accordingly. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I am passionate about policy relating to healthcare, housing, education, and economic and racial justice. I've seen how these different policy areas intersect, and I know that we have to tackle them in conjunction with each other. Medical debt is a leading cause of homelessness, and housing insecurity can cause health problems. Economic injustice drives education disparities, and all of these structural issues are worsened by systemic racism. I will fight for justice and equity across these connected policy issues. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? I believe that the most important characteristic of an elected official is to be grounded in the community. Through this campaign, I've talked to thousands of Delawareans: in person, over the phone, and during virtual town halls. Typically, politicians focus on talking to likely voters, but my campaign has centered the people who feel most disenfranchised by our current political system. Additionally, elected officials must be uncompromising in their values. Too often, Senators cast votes based on political expediency or for personal gain rather than for the good of their constituents. It's crucial for elected officials to resist wanting political power for power's own sake. This is why elected officials must align themselves with organizers and activists who will hold them accountable in office. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? The core responsibility of a Senator is to serve every constituent, no matter their ideology, and legislate with their best interest in mind. This doesn't just include politically active voters; it means that Senators must work to bring disenfranchised people back into the political process. Furthermore, Senators must stay beholden to their constituents, not corporations. I believe that all elected officials should refuse corporate PAC money. Finally, it's the responsibility of elected officials to understand how to use their power to amplify the work that organizers and activists have been doing for years. Too often, politicians base their legislative agenda on their corporate donors. It's crucial for elected officials to use their seat to work with community leaders to build the political mandate for policies that will center the needs of marginalized communities.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]