Cynthia Soma-Hernandez

Cynthia Soma-Hernandez graduated from Bulkeley High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Connecticut in 1976 and a graduate degree from St. Peter's College in 1989. Her career experience includes working at Amtrak and as an education advocate and teacher.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am made of American Pride, hard work, and dignity. Raised in a poor family of nine children. My father became an invalid. Growing up on welfare shaped my need for dignity that work would instruct me.

I went on to benefit from project Upward Bound and entered UConn on a full scholarship where I graduated with honors and a Sociology degree.

From there I went on to become a railroad laborer. I became BMWE Recording Secretary in Philly. Later I represented my union as President from Sunnyside, NY and Trenton, NJ.

After discovering the carcinogenic effect of creosote poisoning, I stood to protect my union members with a work stoppage. Seven hundred and fifty men followed my lead by climbing out of the gondola cars and sitting in yellow school buses until our required safety gear was delivered from Madison Square Garden to the side of the railroad tracks in Secaucus, NJ. We received our safety equipment from that day forward.

Having been a union custodian, a boiler operator, and a 'gandy dancer' on the railroad taught me the value of hard labor for its benefits and for the steppingstone it affords the working class.

I went onto teach for twenty-five years in Newark, NJ. During that period of time, I was able to earn five teaching certificates. The awards were from Christine Todd Whitman, a Republican for Race Against Racism with Bilingualism as well as an award from Corey Booker for Multilingual Gardens in our Schools.

In 2016 I served as a National Sanders Representative.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

We all deserve the dignity and the promise of a better future that housing, education, food, and medicine afford human beings.

we also have the duty to participate in our democratic republic. the more we benefit, the higher our duty becomes to serve the greater community.Seniors need more resources. Gas, food, and medicine are becoming luxuries for the masses. Having served students in at risk neighborhoods taught me to focus on the needs that become barriers to further progress.

We must continue to do better.

As AI, driverless vehicles, and 3D printers begin to overtake what were once good jobs we are becoming less secure about our futures. More must be done to assure available labor markets continue to grow and provide employment opportunities.Affordability was first proposed by our current president. Life is not currently affordable. I am compelled to serve my fellow Americans in my district and throughout Maine by working to provide equitable solutions as we continue to struggle to survive this epic turnaround of the American value system of the right to Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My personal passion is that human dignity is the exclusive right of all of us. It is through education, training, and work that we provide ourselves and in turn our communities with dignity and hope for future generations.

I am interested in Education and Labor. Especially training opportunities for young people that will gain them entry into viable careers.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Somerset County Maine Democrats

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Hemp Mills Instead of Closed Down Paper Mills!

​This is of critical importance because as of 2013 there are only 12 mills that remain open. There has been a 66% employment decline since 1990. Due to digitalization, foreign competition, and consolidation paper mills have closed. An inability to adapt to changes in consumer trends is the reason for the closures, what is the solution? Industrial HEMP!

​We can not continue to sit idly by while generations of Maine mill workers and farmers drown in debt.

While our younger generations accept a life without hope and while our state's leadership sits by without a plan; Maine continues to allow opportunity to race past us.

Placing the blame on the poor is inexcusable and an outdated modality for governmental leadership.

​It is unreasonable to assume that a farmer can not earn a great living other than by farming hay.

​As well, it is unreasonable to suggest that the state of Maine remain land rich and tax poor.

Our inhabitants and their heirs doomed to a life of poverty and lowered expectations. Our young and bright leaving our families and our state when we need them most.

Free College Tuition

Free College Tuition with a Contract to Serve Maine by becoming involved for one year in a Coordinated Educational Development Program, C.E.P.D.

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​Examples of CEPDs are:

Working in programs to develop:

​a greenhouse in every school, prison, jail, and community building.

Working in programs to develop:

at least one form of a renewable energy source for every public building.

Working in programs to develop:

and protect Maine waterways by fostering leadership through in educational programs, and by the concerted development of Ancillary Business Ownership Opportunities throughout Maine.

Working in programs to develop:

Institute Race Against Racism with Multiculturalism, a program to develop language proficiencies based on interest and /academic class.

A Greenhouse and Solar Energy in Every Public Building.

​​The benefits are worth the investment. What are they?

Number one for the tax payer, there will be a recordable gain. Secondly, for sustainability, we will continue to foster the uniquely Maine perspective of blazing a new, more sustainable path.

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For our people, both young and old; from the schools to the community center, to the state house, we will foster an improved attitude toward our food.

The overall health of our community will improve. Indeed, the health of a community is developed by the creation of community gardens.

We need to make Maine one of the World's Blue Zones!

Renewable energy is the answer. The creation of viable tax incentives and economic pathways is urgently needed. Encouraging the use of alternate energy forms like: solar, wind, water, and biofuels make our lifestyles more sustainable.

[3]

—Cynthia Soma-Hernandez[4]