It’s very unsettling that our 1st Franklin District does not have a representative on Beacon Hill now. As the months pass in these deflated times, it’s obvious that when we do have one again, it must be someone who is stronger than ever before.

We deserve the voice of experience to speak for us. I believe that Lora Wondolowski is that voice.

I believe this because Lora’s life path and work experience gives her a deep-rooted understanding of the challenges facing our 18 towns, and the daily struggles of the people who live and work here, along with the farmers who grow crops here.

Lora says it best herself: “I’m running to build what comes next. Our district deserves leadership that listens to the community’s challenges and builds tomorrow’s solutions.”

To build, our representative needs the help of our municipal leaders. Lora has that. From her years of team-building in the Pioneer Valley, she has the built-in support of selectboard and committee members and community leaders. With more than 25 years of nonprofit, political and grassroots experience, she has so many endorsements from local and state organizations that her social media posts can barely keep up. (See wondoforrep.org/endorsements.)

Expect her to knock on your door if she hasn’t already. She loves canvassing and listening. She’s eager to walk out for a cause. She’s a won’t-give-up woman. When elected, she will be with us for the long haul.

“Teamwork” and “Results” are the words she lives by. Lora Wondolowski will fight for education, social justice and the environment. Her love of community and her goals for our future are deep-rooted.

Lora has spent her career fighting for education, fair funding and environmental protection at the local, regional, state and national levels. She’s our voice for farm and land protection, food security and sustainable development.

I believe that Lora Wondolowski is the representative we need now. Please join me in voting to elect Lora as state representative for the 1st Franklin District in the primary on Sept. 1.

Pat Ryan

Deerfield