2021 Election Watch: May 11 General Elections

No sleeping in 2021! Today, six Run for Something endorsed candidates have elections in Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Check out them out and make sure to follow us on Twitter tonight and tomorrow for minute-to-minute election updates.

FLORIDA

Kassandra Timothe

North Miami City Council, District 2

In 2008, Kassandra stood before the Greater North Miami Chamber and received a college scholarship and in her speech, she told a room full of elected officials and business owners, she would one day come home, and run for office. 12 years later, she’s back home, and she’s running for office. Kassandra Timothe was born and raised in North Miami. A true native, Kassandra lives, works and plays in the heart and pulse of the City in District 2. At the young age of 15, Kassandra began working at North Miami’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA).

As the Legislative Aide for Councilwoman Lisa Montelione in the City of Tampa, Kassandra realized the power of local government but she knew this job would be more meaningful if she were home. In May 2015, Kassandra joined the City of North Miami in the Public Information Office. Kassandra planned in her later years to run for office, after her pension was invested, but never imagined the time would be now. Kassandra has over ten years of governmental experience and is ready to take her experience to the mountaintop. She graduated in 2012 with a Political Science degree from the University of South Florida and in May 2020, from Florida International University with her Masters in Public Administration.

MARYLAND

Sherlyna Hanna

Hyattsville City Council, Ward 3

Sherlyna is an engaged and motivated servant leader dedicated to my community. She has demonstrated a commitment to Hyattsville through philanthropy, psychotherapy, and advocacy. She is running to be the Ward 3 City Councilmember in Hyattsville to serve as an accessible and transparent advocate.

As someone who has often been secluded from the table, Sherlyna recognizes the importance of an inclusive environment and will advocate for those who are underrepresented not only to have a seat at the table, but to also be a part of the decision-making process.

As a servant leader, Sherlyna believes it is imperative to put the needs of the community fist. Her goal as Councilmember is to listen to the needs of the community, provide opportunities for collaboration, and ensure effective solutions.

MASSCHUSETTS

Adam Gutbezahl

Wayland Board of Selectmen

Adam is a practicing attorney who is running to serve on the Wayland Board of Selectmen. Adam has experience working in local government, including while living in Washington, D.C. He has also served on multiple boards and committees in his community, including the Finance Committee, Trust Fund Commission, and Cultural Council. Adam is running to ensure Wayland promotes and improves governmental transparency, takes active steps to combat the climate crisis, and makes the community a more inclusive and welcoming place for all people.

Adam is the proud parent of a two-and-a-half-year-old, and he and his wife’s second child is due within days of election day. Adam is running to ensure that the decisions made today provide for a vibrant and inclusive community for his (and his neighbor’s) children for many years to come.

Erica Spann

Ayer-Shirley Regional School District Committee

Erica is a hospital administrator, community volunteer and advocate with experience in creating community groups, developing awareness campaigns, policy management, and action planning. She has addressed issues in the district relating to diverse hiring practices, staff retention, anti-racism policies, inclusion practices, student mental health, and special education.

Erica is running to represent the town of Ayer, MA in the Ayer-Shirley Regional School Committee. She is advocating for student centered governance, transparent effective leadership, and intentional diversity, equity and inclusion. As a homegrown citizen and mother of a student in the district, she seeks to break barriers to better education and build greater futures for ALL students in the district.

NEW JERSEY

Caseen Gaines

Hackensack City Council

Caseen is a lifelong Hackensack resident and voice for change in his community. After triple-majoring in English, Journalism, and American Studies at Rutgers, he returned to serve his city as an educator and theater director at his former high school, where he has worked for the past fourteen years.

Caseen’s efforts to improve equity and achieve social justice in schools have been recognized statewide. Just last year, he contributed to a State Attorney General’s report on combating bias and hate crimes among students.

He is an active leader in his local teacher’s union, and a member of the National Education Association. He is also an award-winning author, former member of his city’s Cultural Arts Board, and co-founder of the nonprofit Hackensack Theater Company.

Hackensack has become overrun with luxury apartment development, making it one of the most expensive places for renters to live in the state. This is a huge financial burden on the city’s working-class community. Caseen is running to ensure that his neighbors aren’t priced out of town, developers pay their fair share, so that schools don’t fall into further disrepair, and so city leadership can focus on improving the quality-of-life for all residents.

Jen Rossi

Collingswood Board of Commissioners

Jen is running for The Board of Commissioners in Collingswood, NJ. She is known in our community as an advocate for transparency, bridging communication shortfalls, connecting people with resources, supporting engagement from the community, recording for accountability from elected officials, and helping others connect over important issues in the Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia areas. She prefers to deal with conflict head-on and does not make excuses, downplay important issues, or avoid hard conversations. Jen strives to improve the lives of others through connection and empathy. She is running with the committee Collingswood Together which promises to put residents first.