MEET LESLEY
I’m Lesley Bunnell and I’ve been your neighbor for almost 20 years. I’m running for State Representative because better access to housing, education, reproductive rights, and a fair wage are more than aspirational talking points for me - these are issues that I fight for daily. I’m a single mom, community organizer, and someone who knows how to bring people together. We need a passionate, hard-working representative who can deliver results for our community.
ABOUT ME
I was born in OakIand, California, and my family moved to Anchorage, Alaska for better jobs and to live a better life. I am the only child of a political activist Black mom and an engineer dad who built oil rigs in the North Pole. I really stood out like a sore thumb; however, my being “different” taught me that at our core, most of us want the same things: a good life for ourselves and our families, and for things to be a bit better for our children.
My mom was a nurse who fought to eliminate the healthcare disparities she had observed and experienced. She taught me to not let myself be defined by my circumstances and brought me to see strong Black and female leaders, like Jesse Jackson and Geraldine Ferraro. In fact, I still have my Jesse Jackson pin from 1988! Early on, I followed in my mom’s footsteps, speaking out on issues that matter. From my dad, I learned to be pragmatic.
My daughter attended Providence Public Schools. She received a great education and is now attending Temple University on a scholarship as a pre-med student. However, there were so many times I had to fight to make sure she had the opportunities she deserved. And, as a career nonprofit professional, I learned how to get things done.
Even with those advantages, it was not easy. In fact, I often had to raise hell, to put it bluntly. She was part of the original group of students who sued the state’s Department of Education over their takeover of Providence Schools, because community voice and input was not included in the plan, and too many students were being left behind.
Several years ago, when I began advocating for women’s reproductive healthcare at the State House, people would periodically ask me, “Why don’t you run for office?” I would laugh them off and honestly, that is not my style. However, as I continue to experience and observe the exponential changes and growth here, it is clear we need new representation that can efficiently evolve with those changes.
I want to continue to advocate for our community, and I believe the best place for me to do that is with a seat at the table. Running for State Representative is not a springboard for me, but a culmination of years of observation, listening and learning, and most importantly, fighting for what’s right. I am ready to help our neighborhood reach its full potential. I have seen how far we’ve come and know how far we must go.
