I met Vanna in 2007 during my campaign to become the first woman in 25 years to represent Massachusetts in Congress. At that time, Vanna was already a leader in the Greater Lowell community and having her support was critical to my success. After being elected, I was eager to have her join my Congressional office and over our 12 years working together, Vanna distinguished herself as remarkably effective and trusted not only by her colleagues and me, but also by the thousands of people she helped over that time.
Vanna went above and beyond for the people in this district, often making international calls in the middle of the night on behalf of a family. And it was not unusual for her to leave the office in the evening on her way to help serve meals, to be at a function for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell or to attend a board meeting at the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association; just two examples of the many organizations who have benefited from her contributions. I know of few people who are as willing to give of their time and energy to as many community organizations as Vanna.
All of this experience, as well as her work in the fields of public safety, community policing, and community health care will ensure she is able to hit the ground running as our State Representative. Combined with her unique perspective as a woman of color and a refugee who overcame incredible odds, Vanna knows how to bring diverse groups of people together to work for positive outcomes.
Our communities face unrelenting pressure from the pandemic, an economy under distress, deep partisan divisions, and racial inequity. I am confident that Vanna has the skillset, the deep community connections, and the compassion required to face these challenges. I hope you will join me in voting for Vanna Howard for 17th Middlesex District State Representative on September 1st!
Niki Tsongas
Niki Tsongas served as a U.S. Representative for Massachusetts’s 3rd congressional district as a Democrat from 2013 to 2018. She was previously the representative for Massachusetts’ 5th congressional district as a Democrat from 2007 to 2012.Prior to her election to the House, Tsongas worked as the Dean of External Affairs at Middlesex Community College, as a Board Member of Fallon Health and on the Lowell Civic Stadium and Arena Commission, which oversees several sites, including the Tsongas Arena.
