Born and raised in the heart of Bethlehem Township, Anna Thomas is not just another political candidate — she is a daughter of the Lehigh Valley, deeply rooted in its values, challenges, and aspirations.
Representing a beautiful blend of cultures, with her family hailing from Malaysia and India, Anna was raised in a home where faith, service, and community mattered above all else. These early lessons in humility and responsibility have shaped her life’s journey — and today, she is poised to become one of the most impactful leaders the region has seen in decades.
Her candidacy for State Representative in the Lehigh Valley is not about ambition — it’s about answering a call. A call that began years ago, when, as a student in the Bethlehem Area School District, Anna witnessed firsthand how budget cuts threatened the quality of education in her community. That experience didn’t just inspire her — it lit a fire within her to stand up for public education and the people who depend on it.
Anna Thomas: Lifelong Commitment to Lehigh Valley
From her earliest years, Anna Thomas, a Lehigh Valley advocate, has been driven to serve. In high school, she was selected as the student representative to the Bethlehem Area School Board, where she gained a front-row seat to the real challenges schools face — particularly underfunded districts like her own. That formative experience was more than symbolic; it catalysed her decision to dedicate her life to public service.
She went on to earn a degree in chemistry from Wellesley College, where she also rowed competitively as part of the NCAA team, instilling in her the discipline and teamwork that continues to define her leadership. But Anna didn’t stop there. She pursued her Master of Public Administration at the University of Pennsylvania, where she addressed complex issues such as public safety, community wellness, and climate change, preparing her for the nuanced demands of state leadership.
Solving Real Problems with Real Solutions
Anna Thomas is not a career politician — she’s a practical problem-solver who brings people together. Her thesis at Penn, created in partnership with the Philadelphia Police Department, focused on violence prevention — a critical issue for many communities in Pennsylvania. She also tackled carbon capture and climate mitigation, exploring how to grow our energy economy while protecting our environment.
What makes Anna different is her ability to understand the interconnectedness of challenges. She doesn’t see issues in isolation. Instead, she sees how underfunded schools, crumbling infrastructure, and rising living costs all impact a family’s ability to thrive. She’s not offering platitudes — she’s offering a comprehensive vision rooted in fairness and results.
Anna Thomas: Putting People Over Party
In a political era too often defined by division, Anna Thomas, Lehigh Valley leader, is a unifier. She’s not running to serve a party or an ideology. She’s running to serve people, regardless of ZIP code, political affiliation, or background.
Anna understands that good ideas are not exclusive to one side of the aisle. That’s why she pledges to work across party lines and seek consensus on the issues that matter most — whether it’s public education, reproductive rights, or infrastructure upgrades. She believes in coalition-building, not confrontation, and she’s committed to a politics of decency, respect, and results.
Top Priorities That Reflect Lehigh Valley Values
1. Protecting Reproductive Freedom
Anna will fight tirelessly to protect a woman’s right to make her own health decisions — including access to abortion, contraception, and fertility treatments. She understands that family planning is a personal matter and should never be dictated by the government.
2. Fair Funding for Public Schools
As a product of a chronically underfunded school district, Anna knows just how damaging unfair budgets can be. She is dedicated to reworking the state’s funding formula to ensure schools in fast-growing regions like the Lehigh Valley are not left behind. Her vision includes expanded vocational programs and affordable college education.
3. Economic Justice and Tax Fairness
Anna Thomas believes middle-class families and seniors shouldn’t bear the brunt of Pennsylvania’s tax burden. She will work to close corporate loopholes, fight back against backroom deals with lobbyists, and ensure a more equitable tax system that supports working families.
Smart Growth, Strong Infrastructure
The Lehigh Valley is experiencing growth, and Anna Thomas is poised to lead it with strategic and sustainable approaches. She envisions a region with modern roads, safe bridges, and expanded railways that attract high-tech jobs while reducing our environmental footprint. Her approach isn’t just about economic growth — it’s about smart, equitable, people-first development.
Making Life More Affordable for Working Families
Anna recognises that the cost-of-living crisis is real and urgent. From skyrocketing childcare expenses to rising grocery and utility bills, too many families in the Lehigh Valley are struggling. Anna is committed to relieving that burden. She’ll advocate for affordable healthcare, access to prescription drugs, and a livable wage so that every resident can live with dignity and economic freedom.
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