Reading City Councilwoman Vanessa Campos announces bid for council presidency

Yahoo

12-02-2025

Reading City Councilwoman Vanessa Campos has announced her candidacy for City Council president.
Campos, 38, represents council District 1.
Vanessa Campos
She was elected in 2023 to complete the remaining two years of the term vacated when Brianna Tyson resigned.
Campos will enter the May 20 primary on the Democratic ticket.
Campos is the second person to announce a primary bid for the president's seat, which is elected at-large.
Councilman Jaime Baez Jr. also will be running as a Democrat for the post.
Campos, a licensed real estate agent and former teacher, holds a master of education degree.
'My goal is to promote the vitality of a city where we can invest, enjoy and live,' Campos said.
As a city councilor, Campos said, her mission is to strengthen the legislative body through proactive approaches in local government policies.
To help fulfill her role, she noted, she completed voluntary courses in local government and budget.
During her time on council, Campos said, she has aimed to unite stakeholders using coordinated efforts to prioritize the city's financial stability and growth.
If elected council president, she said, she would continue those efforts along with enhancing council operations by using modern practices that reinforce efficiency and accessibility.
Campos said she has the proven leadership skills needed to drive progress in the city.
She is member of Reading's Recreation Commission, Redevelopment Authority, and Nominations and Appointments Committee.
She has worked toward securing strong relationships with the city's departments, officials and other boards, commissions and authorities, she said, and maintains open communication with constituents.
She also works with state and federal legislators.
Coordinating city efforts and aligning them with the initiatives of state and federal legislators is essential in moving the city forward, she said.
'We have to make sure that we're taking guidance from those that are involved and that are in these seats,' she said, 'and have those conversations, so that we're working together coherently, instead of working divided.'
Coordinated efforts among city departments, boards and authorities also are key to the city's progress, she said.
'I think coordinated efforts are huge in avoiding more bumps in the road when we're trying to create a push for progress in the city,' she said.
A former teacher, Campos served the Reading School District for more than a decade as an educator, reading specialist, department head, committee chair, literacy coach and intern supervisor.
As a department head, she piloted a new program helping Reading's middle schools achieve academic growth and meet district goals.
Campos said she demonstrates her volunteer spirit by serving a catechist teacher at her local church, and her civic duty as an executive board member of the Berks County Democratic Committee and the Greater Reading PAC.
She decided to run for council president, Campos said, because she is confident she has the leadership experience, strengths and qualities required for the role.
Campos also said she could remain open-minded and nonbiased while performing the functions of the office, which include presiding over council meetings and maintaining order.
'There needs to someone without an agenda,' she said. 'I think that's important, and that's a character that I bring as well.'
Meet the candidate
Candidate: Vanessa Campos, 38, Reading
Position sought: Reading City Council President
Background: Campos represents council District 1. She is a licensed real estate agent and is a former Reading School District teacher and department head. She holds a master of education degree.
Term: Four years.
Compensation: The council president is paid an annual salary of $6,875.