This interview is part of a weekly series of conversations with candidates running for local government offices leading up to the November 4 municipal election. This interview has been edited for clarity and conciseness.
HARRIS: I was born and raised here in Pittsburg, a product of public schools, and went through Pitt State University as well. I have worked for 10 years at the Mall Deli restaurant here in town. I worked my way up from a busboy, and now I'm part of the management there. And I've seen this town from all angles you can imagine. I grew up in a single-family household. My mother lost her job in the 2008 financial crisis, we experienced homelessness while I was a child. Fortunately, at the time, we still had the family emergency shelter run by SEK-CAP but it shut down due to some funding shortages in 2014. I want to make sure that we have a voice on the commission that is giving representation to those that are experiencing any trouble like that in our town.
SCHNELLE: What are your goals if elected?
HARRIS: My primary goal for this campaign is to start a conversation in our town.
I want us, as the citizens of Pittsburg, to be able to dream for a vision of a town that encompassing of all socioeconomic statuses. If you've seen any of my yard signs around town, it's streets, housing, and childcare. I want us to think about how we can improve those things in our town. So as a commissioner, I vow to focus on those policies. I want to see us invest in our streets and public infrastructure all over the city of Pittsburg and to build spaces that people want to be in. I want us to have a housing policy that is inclusive and is geared toward a future of growth in our town. I think everyone's kind of feeling the heat right now with the crisis of affordability, right? Thinking about how we can increase the availability of affordable housing. And in childcare, the very same situation. I, as a commissioner, want to make sure that childcare is affordable and accessible for everyone in our town. I've seen that firsthand growing up. These are conversations that people are having right now. My wife, she runs an in-home daycare. And so I've been a part of far too many conversations with her parents of people pulling their kids out of her daycare because they can't find housing in Pittsburg. And I think those gaps can really be filled by the Pittsburg City Commission.
SCHNELLE: Is there anything that you want voters to know about you?
HARRIS:If you have ever worried about the cost of housing, if you have ever worried about the availability of child care, then I am the voice for you. If you see yourself in a dilapidated neighborhood, that the streets and sidewalks have not been taken care of and invested in. I want voters to know that I am a voice that recognizes that plight and will fight for you.
SCHNELLE: What inspired you from your job at the Mall Deli to run?
HARRIS: Due to my position at the Mall Deli, I've been fortunate enough not only to have a stable job for the past decade. But to be able to see Pittsburg at all angles from my place of work, being in the kitchen and in the dishwashing area as a college student, as a high school student, working my tail off just to be able to put myself through school. After a couple of promotions, now I'm in management and kind of working my tail off running around the whole restaurant. So many people have described the Mall Deli as a Pittsburg institution. I mean, so many business meetings have happened there. And I think that's really cool to see how local business plays such an important role in our community. Just kind of seeing that and wanting to be a more supportive voice of all of the other local businesses in Pittsburg.
SCHNELLE: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
HARRIS: Right now, I think there's a lot of negativity in our politics, in our political system. It's been really heartbreaking to see that trickle down to the local level as well.
I am running for the city commission because I want to bring not only a positive vision to the city of Pittsburg, to bring a voice of transparency and apolitical engagement with the people of Pittsburg.
Copyright 2025 KRPS. To see more, visit Four States Public Radio.
