Deirdre Kamber Todd

Deirdre Kamber Todd earned a high school diploma from William Allen High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Brandeis University in 1994, a graduate degree from the University of Limerick in 1996, and a law degree from the Hofstra University School of Law in 1998. Her career experience includes working as an investigator.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

A retired lawyer of 23 years and certified mediator, I am now a forensic document examiner - I examine documents for fraud. I am a moderate centralist who knows how to get work done. As a trial lawyer and trained mediator, I know when and how to fight - and when to accomplish my goals through peaceful consideration. I will work across aisles and ideologies to accomplish whats best for my constituency.

I have decades of experience in and with government, including writing regulations and policies, serving on school boards, working with government agencies, federal, state and local. I have served as trial attorney and advocate; workplace investigator, mediator, and arbitrator. As an adjunct professor at DeSales, Moravian and Cedar Crest colleges, I am experienced at educating others on the issues before us. I have worked on school boards for William Allen and Northwestern Lehigh.

I believe in showing up, working hard, learning from my constituency, and ensuring I represent the interests of my District. My motto is "For the People, Not the Parties." I am committed to transparency in government and returning politics to protect the people... not the paychecks and pensions of politicians. It's time for a change of direction from the status quo, which is heading us just further down into a rabbit hole of political division, higher prices, and loss of our open spaces to data centers and big business. It's time to vote for a new option.

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?

As a moderate centralist, I will work hard across all aisles to get things done for our community. As politicians, we don't have to love each other's politics; if we can agree on just one issue, we have common ground to move in a positive direction.We need to put an end to political overspending and government overreach into our private lives. We must be entitled to live our lives without government pushing moral platitudes into our personal choices.We need to make our community affordable and supported by focusing on grants. We need to stop the ever-greater stranglehold of taxes and look for other sources of revenue to bring up our Main Streets and communities. We also must keep big business and AI data centers where they belong...and out of our backyards.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about our communities, open and green spaces, keeping the data centers where they belong, affordability, and reinvesting in our children's public school education.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Abraham Lincoln - he was brave, honest, and did what he needed to do to resolve conflict in a time of impossible odds.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Transparency, honesty, and a serious work ethic - politics is supposed to be for the people, not the politicians

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities for representing District 183 are representing the interests of the people of 183.... any other agenda must be voted out.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like my legacy to be one of humanity, respect, and accomplishment.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was at age 12. I asked staff at Susquehannah University, the local college, if I could fill out envelopes and lick stamps to assist them. I worked at a rate of 50 cents an hour. I kept the job until I could start babysitting, and I have worked hard ever since then.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

As a 9/11 survivor who returned to work at Ground Zero in September 2001, I have dealt with significant struggles. Instead of ignoring my experience, however, I morphed my experience into providing pro bono legal services for first responders and created WTCConnect (WTC2.org) which has offered 9/11 shows to educate the public, to honor our heroes, and to fundraise for first responders.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

A relationship of support, of mutual consideration, and of checks and balances. We cannot blindly follow any leader; this is the point of the balance of power in the United States and in our great commonwealth.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Healing the divide of politics and getting to a place where we can be productive and move forward.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is critical, especially now. We are in a time of division, where the parties are acting like divorced parents who cannot be in the same room together. Politicians do not need to love each; we need to agree on one idea at a time and push through bills to support our constituency. That being said, compromise that results in moral sell-out is, or should be, too high a pricetag. We each must stand for what we believe and invest in that vision.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Eric J. Holder, former Attorney General, Senator Nick Miller, IBEW, Rep. Mike Schlossberg, SEIU, and others.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

I remember Three Mile Island from March 1979. I lived along the Susquehanna River and it was a time of technology and fear merging together, not only for the present but for the future.