ELIZABETH TWP, PA — Casting her campaign as a challenge to business-as-usual politics in Harrisburg, community advocate and working mother Kellianne Frketic announced Monday that she is officially running for Pennsylvania State Representative in House District 39, launching a bid she says is rooted in visibility, accountability, and working-class representation.
Frketic, an Elizabeth Township native and longtime resident, said her candidacy is driven by frustration with what she described as distant and disconnected leadership.
“I am running because our district deserves a representative who is present, accessible, and deeply connected to the people they serve,” Frketic said. “Government should work for you, your family, and your community, and that starts with lived experiences and listening.”
Her professional background has centered on food access and public service. Frketic previously served as a food service director for local school districts, overseeing meal programs for students and families. She now manages senior food box programs at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, a role she says gives her firsthand insight into the pressures facing Pennsylvanians from childhood through old age.
A single mother to a 17-year-old son, Frketic said she understands the financial strain confronting many households, citing mortgage payments, student loans, car expenses, and rising costs. She also describes herself as part of the “sandwich generation,” balancing the needs of a growing child while helping care for aging family members.
“I know what it means to make tough choices and stretch every dollar,” she said. “The people of District 39 deserve representation from someone who actually lives the realities they face and will put in the work to help them.”
Frketic said her political involvement began locally, attending township and school board meetings and speaking out on issues affecting her community. She argues that experience has shaped her view of government as a service-oriented institution rather than a distant bureaucracy.
“We need elected officials with a plan, a proven record of service, and a clear understanding that government exists to work for all of us,” she said. “I am the candidate in this race who will do that, full time.”
Her campaign platform emphasizes regular listening sessions across the district, expanded constituent services, and transparent communication with residents about legislative decisions. Frketic also said she supports responsible investment of tax dollars to strengthen communities, support working families, and ensure state government operates fairly and effectively.
Frketic’s campaign will formally kick off with a launch party scheduled for January 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the South Park Community Center. The host committee includes Angela Girol, committee chair; Nicole Ruscitto, a Jefferson Borough council member; state Rep. Emily Kinkead of House District 20; and Allegheny County Council members Bethany Hallam, Alex Rose, Kathleen Madonna-Emmerling, and Aaron Adams.
“I’m running because District 39 deserves representation that looks like the people who live here,” Frketic said. “I’m ready to show up, listen, and work for our community.”
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