Democrat Christina Finello Says She Plans To ‘Tell It To Them Straight’

Democratic congressional candidate Christina Finello has a law degree and a doctorate in clinical psychology. Instead of a taking job at a law firm or health care company, she has worked as a public servant in the Bucks County Department of Housing and Human Services.

A way of continuing her public service has been entering the Democratic primary, which will pit her against business owner Skylar Hurwitz during Tuesday’s primary.

Finello, 44, a resident of Ivyland Borough, said her upbringing, work experience, and personal journey have led her to where she is now.

Born in Bristol, Finello said she grew up in a hardworking family. She said her family knew what it was like to only be a check away from financial ruin and she saw her family’s finances improve after her dad, now a district judge, got a steady, good-paying union job.

Finello, who serves as a councilperson in Ivyland, said she wants a federal government that works for people like her family. 

The Democrat’s campaign has focused on improving the economy and supporting measures that help residents in the First Congressional District. She said affordable health care and fixing the student loan debt system are important to her.

“For me, I’m running for Congress to be a voice for the people of this district … the people who make up this county,” Finello said. 

Across the district, health care is a major issue for people of all backgrounds.

“I’m a big believer in expanding what works,” she said of health care. “It doesn’t help us to go back to square one.”

Finello said the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, is a great starting point, citing the provision that protects people with preexisting conditions.

Before the Affordable Care Act, Finello was due with her first child and her family’s new insurance company told her she might not be covered because her pregnancy was considered a “preexisting condition.” Finello said she was “shattered” by the stress the news brought. She worried about how the unexpected bill could impact her family finances.

In addition, the candidate cited that while she was expecting both her mom and dad needed surgeries within the same month. In her head, she kept thinking about how that could cripple the financial situation for someone without insurance.

“No family or individual should have to choose between that,” she said of picking between paying a bill or getting medical care.

If elected, Finello said she would focus on ways to lower out-of-pocket costs for health care and reduce prescription drug costs.

One main focus would be making medical care “affordable and accessible,” she explained. 

Finello said she supports adding a public option for people without health insurance.

As the COVID-19 pandemic causes financial pain across the country, Finello recognizes it has a big impact in the district.

“Before the coronavirus, we had many communities that were struggling economically. That’s why I made economics part of my campaign,” she said. 

With the added perspective of the coronavirus, Finello said she supports additional relief and assistance for families and small businesses.

An ongoing frustration for Finello was the Republican-backed tax reform bill that she said benefited corporate interest and not families.

On student loan debt, Finello called for expanding loan forgiveness programs for workers in public benefit jobs. She added that interest rates on college loans need to be smaller.

The candidate said she was for decriminalizing marijuana and for lowering its Schedule I drug grading. Although she noted conversations on the topic need to be had with a large group of stakeholders, citing her experience working in human services.

When asked, Finello said abortion is a “very personal issue” and that “each woman has the right to make those decision without interference.” 

In explaining how she would pitch herself to a Republican, Finello said she would “tell it to them straight.” She feels that incumbent Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick doesn’t do so and “twists himself into a pretzel” trying to defend supporting some policies, including those supported by Trump.

Finello said she understands the role of being a congressperson would have her working with different elected officials. She reiterated that her goal would be to “put families first and work for the people.”

Read these previous stories on where Finello stands on key issues:

• Democratic Candidates Face Off In First Debate Of 2020 Congressional Campaign
• Democratic Congressional Candidates Talk Issues At Forum

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