As a small business owner and active member of the local business community, Clara has a deep appreciation for the difficulties that business owners face in our current economy. From workforce struggles and navigating immigration programs with employees to keep business running, to fraud and cybersecurity attacks that can undermine financial stability in small businesses, to the challenges of regulations, taxes and stifling inflation that are squeezing business owners, vendors and retailers, Clara will serve as an informed and qualified voice in the State Senate to advocate for better outcomes. With her legal background and experience connecting people in various communities, Clara has regularly demonstrated her motivation to collaborate with politicians and business leaders, creating a roundtable discussion focused on solutions.

With experience in the classroom as a music teacher, Clara’s initial interest in politics led her to explore a run for School Board. As she further developed her goals for impacting educational policy, she realized that she could have a bigger influence at the legislative level. Clara’s parents instilled in her the value of a quality education, and she is truly a lifelong learner. She is passionate about keeping the focus on learning in the classroom, not just testing, standards and administration. In the State Senate, Clara will fight to protect local control and parental involvement, and increase the opportunities for vocational education.

Growing up in a household where both parents were doctors, Clara was exposed to community programs at the hospital from a young age. One of the more impactful areas of service was working with a program for abandoned babies and underprivileged children. These experiences not only set her on a path of service, but later provided her with a unique perspective on the challenges people face in gaining access to care. As Clara’s daughter experienced over 38 surgeries for congenital Giant Nevus tumors in the first few years of her life, Clara became well-educated on insurance challenges, the value of protecting doctor-patient care decisions, and the stifling increases in healthcare costs. In the State Senate, Clara will be a refreshing voice for healthcare policy to improve transparency, reduce costs and improve access to quality care.