Jessica Arriaga

Jessica Arriaga grew up in North Philadelphia and attended Olney High School.¹² A mother who describes faith and family as guiding values, she has spent more than 20 years working in operating rooms.¹ Her professional background also includes medical sales.³

In her candidate questionnaire, Arriaga identifies herself as a businesswoman and surgical technologist, listing surgical technology certification and medical and business coursework.² She describes herself as bilingual and emphasizes her Puerto Rican heritage.² Her community work has included helping families find healthcare and other resources, and she lists ward leadership responsibilities in the 37th and 43rd wards.¹²

Her health agenda calls for protecting and fully funding Medicaid, capping prescription prices, expanding preventive care and strengthening local clinics.² Education priorities include school choice, safer school buildings and career training.² She supports partnerships linking schools, unions and local employers to help students move into jobs.⁴

Arriaga is challenging Democratic incumbent Brendan Boyle in November.² She favors lower taxes on working families, less regulation of small businesses and job training tied to local employers.⁴ Her public safety approach combines resources for law enforcement with mental health, addiction treatment and community prevention programs.⁴ She also calls for greater access to childcare and community programs that support working parents.⁴