Former nonprofit leader and recent Congressional candidate Jess King will be Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace’s new chief of staff. The announcement was made Feb. 27 at City Hall.
With nearly 60,000 residents, Lancaster is the eighth largest city in Pennsylvania.
A recent press release praised King’s “expertise in affordable housing and economic development, as well as a commitment to equity, opportunity, and public service for the good of others.”
“A commitment to the well-being of the City, its staff and residents, is essential to the role of Chief of Staff. I have no doubts that Jess shares in this commitment, as I’ve known Jess for nearly ten years as leaders of non-profit groups working in the City, as moms of daughters who attend the same school, and as women running for public office for the very first time,” said Sorace.
In an interview with LancasterOnline, King said she was ready to serve. “It’s a unique role,” she said. “There’s a real opportunity to step up and serve.”
In her new role, she will advise the mayor, work on the city’s strategic plan, support the city’s executive leadership team and oversee communications.
Until taking a leave of absence to run for Congress in 2017, King was executive director of Assets, a Lancaster-based non-profit focused on social enterprise, entrepreneurship and helping businesses improve social and environmental performance. She started at that position in 2010.
King ran to represent the redistricted 11th District, which includes Lancaster County and southern York County, in the U.S. House. Her competitive campaign in a traditionally Republican district drew widespread interest and endorsements. Even Ben & Jerry’s ice cream supported her among seven progressive candidates across the country selected for a new special flavor.
The area has had a Republican in office for all but two years since 1921, according to an article on the election in The Mennonite.
King eventually lost her bid to Republican incumbent Lloyd K. Smucker. She earned 41 percent of the vote to Smucker’s 59 percent.
A 12th generation native of Lancaster County, King is a 1996 graduate of Eastern Mennonite University. She earned an MBA at Bard College.
Her first day on the mayor’s staff will be March 18.
So proud of you, Jess!! You deserve the best! And we got the best!!
Jess we support you 100%. My daughter is from Lancaster and will be starting at EMU in Virginia in the fall! Good luck to you on your new position and we are looking for good changes to come! You got our vote.
Following your career with great interest, Jess. All power to you!
Good job, Jess! I do not know you, but I am an ancient alum of EMU (nee C) and I think it is good to see a king playing second fiddle. Actually, I am writing because I was delighted to see that one of my freshman profs is still alive, Jay B. Landis! Bob Koch, 1961-1962.