Letters: Candidates with vision, experience; Character, fairness and leadership

Editor’s note: The CDT welcomes letters endorsing candidates in the primary election and will accept letters that are received by May 11. Letters are subject to editing, must be based on facts and should avoid attacks on other candidates.

Candidates with vision, experience

I heartily endorse Nalini Krishnankutty and Kevin Kassab for State College Borough Council.

I have worked closely with both Nalini and Kevin for seven-plus years with Community Diversity Group and Community and Campus in Unity, which focus on making the Centre Region a more inclusive, welcoming place for everyone.

Both Nalini and Kevin have repeatedly demonstrated their vision, leadership and ability to work with others to get things done.

Nalini is a DEIB manager at Penn State, current member of State College Borough Council, leader and co-founder of the PanAPIDA Circle formed after the 2021 “Atlanta spa murders,” past chair of the Community Oversight Board for the State College Police Department and past member of the PA Governor’s Advisory Commission for Asian Pacific American Affairs.

Kevin was director of the Borough’s Office of Community Engagement where he led and actively supported many, many unifying events including LION Bash and Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza events too numerous to mention. He was essential to the Borough’s LGBTQ+ award-winning inclusion efforts and co-chaired three CDG Community Diversity Conferences, massive undertakings which drew several hundred people for a rich program of education and introspection.

Both Nalini and Kevin bring to the table depths of experience beyond their community involvement: among other things, Nalini as a chemical engineer and Kevin as a veteran.

Indeed, if I lived in State College, I would be excited and honored to vote for Nalini Krishnankutty and Kevin Kassab for State College Borough Council.

Character, fairness and leadership

In a few weeks, our community will vote for a new Centre County judge. As a mother and teacher, I have lived in this community for over 25 years and have always voted for someone who would serve with character, fairness and strong leadership. Between the two candidates running, I am in support of Julia Rater. Julia has been practicing law in our community for over 27 years, with a specialty in family law. Did you know that our court sees more family law cases than any other type of case in our area? Julia has lived here, paid our taxes, and supported our local charities. She has helped so many throughout our community in mediating custody situations, divorce and property law. She has fought for those who could not fight for themselves. Julia is a devoted mother and an advocate for equal rights. She is always available to listen attentively and willing to fight for fairness. I have known Julia for over 10 years, and I have seen her in many stressful situations. She stays calm and listens carefully to the facts. She is one of the most diversely skilled people I know. She balances being a mom, lawyer, friend and community member with grace and leadership. I support Julia Rater for Centre County judge and hope you do too.

Time for change to court

I write in response to Ms. Rater’s letter to the editor dated May 4:

First, I have strong Democratic values. While Ms. Rater chose to attend a Republican Party fundraising dinner featuring a far-right PAC on Feb. 24, I attended a Democratic Party event that same night to speak with rural and working-class voters. I would never attend an event to support PACs inconsistent with my values in order to further my campaign. Moreover, I am the only candidate in this race to have been endorsed by Vote Pro Choice.

Second, unlike Ms. Rater’s petitions, my petitions were not welcome at Republican Party events, as we documented in our public statement dated Feb. 19. We were able to cross-file by talking to Republican voters directly.

Third, Ms. Rater has accepted an endorsement from the Bald Eagle Fraternal Order of Police. As both a judicial candidate and someone intimately involved in criminal law for nearly two decades, I know that police officers serve vital roles, but they are also active participants in matters before the court. How can one be fair and impartial if one is accepting an endorsement of an organization whose members regularly appear before the courts? I would never accept such an endorsement.

Fourth, for too long, the court has been dominated by the same set of players from the same area firms without a judge with a public defender and comprehensive criminal law background. It’s well past time for change. Check us out at gopalforjudge.com