Candidate for
State Senator; District 49; Democratic Party

Cindy Purvis is a lifelong resident of Erie County. Her passions are her family, public service, and gardening. She is married to John and is the proud mother of three grown children, John, Luke and Sarah. She is also the loving grandmother of two, Alexandra and Johnny. It is her commitment to her family, and her faith that drives her to work in public service and help create solutions to some of our most pressing problems. Her driving goal is to build a better future for everyone and a better Pennsylvania not just for her grandchildren, but for all children across the state. Cindy has been working in the community of Erie for years to help make it, and the world a better place. With others, including Mary Fromknecht SSJ., Cindy's hard work helped to found St. Patrick's Haven, a shelter for homeless men. She has also been involved in the issue of Human Trafficking. In 2005 Cindy Purvis invited Kevin Bales, Ph.D., President of Free the Slaves, to come to Erie and help educate the community regarding this important issue. Dr. Bales spoke to students at Edinboro University, Gannon University, Mercyhurst College, Penn State Behrend Campus, and Allegheny College. In addition to her constant work in issue advocacy, which includes serving as co-chair for Healthcare4All PA, Cindy was, for ten years, the General Manager of the Lake Erie Ballet. She is a believer in the importance of the arts for our community. She also spent five years as a small business -owner in the city of Erie, and understands the important place of small business as the backbone of our economy. Cindy Purvis would bring this entrepreneurial spirit, strong work ethic, and a desire for public service to the Pennsylvania Senate. Her experience as an advocate on the important issue of healthcare has not only shown she is ready to help bring about the changes Pennsylvania needs but also is prepared for the rigors of working hard for these causes as a true representative for her community. She has fought hard for legislation, specifically the Family and Business Health Security Act, which would not only provide healthcare for every Pennsylvanian but also save small businesses money by easing their burden to be a provider of healthcare.