 

 

In this week's episode, Jennifer welcomes Christina Delisio, a seasoned community leader and former Manchester Planning Board member, who is currently running for State Representative in Massachusetts' 5th Essex District. Christina brings nearly a decade of experience championing local issues, a background in law, public service teaching, and environmental consulting. Raised in Pennsylvania with a deep respect for civic duty, Christina has navigated the complexities of local government, environmental regulations, and family life, making her campaign uniquely informed by hands-on experience and a commitment to public advocacy.

This episode explores the mechanics and challenges of running for office in Massachusetts, zeroing in on the obstacles facing candidates in special elections, low voter turnout, and the broader implications of one-party dominance. Jennifer and Christina discuss the need to participate in primaries, the frustrations with cookie-cutter policies from Beacon Hill, and the real-world setbacks caused by inaccessible or mishandled electoral systems. Controversial and compelling moments include candid commentary on local and state government overreach, the troubling decline in competitive races, the lack of diversity of thought in Massachusetts politics, and Christina’s creation of the ACE Network, a grassroots initiative to empower new voices and combat barriers to the ballot. The conversation also delves into the often-overlooked importance of signature-gathering, the process's vulnerability to fraud, and the necessity of courage and initiative in civic engagement, especially for women.

"Massachusetts is all about diversity.
 Until it comes to diversity of ideas or thought, and then it's all done."
~Christina Delisio

This Week on Political Contessa:
Special elections often suffer from extremely low voter turnout.
Name confusion between candidates can create misunderstandings among voters.
Issues with absentee ballots and election administration errors affect participation.
One-party dominance leads to cookie-cutter policies that may not fit local communities.
Gathering signatures is costly and vulnerable to fraud, discouraging new candidates.
The ACE Network initiative aims to recruit and support new candidates at the grassroots level.
Many races in Massachusetts are uncontested, leading to predetermined outcomes.
Women need to be asked multiple times to run for office, while men are more likely to self-nominate.

Connect with Christina Delisio and the ACE Network
Website: christinadelisio.com
Facebook: D'Alissio5th 
ACE Network: Search “ACE Network” or “351 ACE Network” on Facebook

 

Awaken Your Inner Political Contessa

 

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Political Contessa. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google Podcasts

 

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. And if you’ve ever considered running for office – or know a woman who should – head over to politicalcontessa.com to grab my quick guide, Secrets from the Campaign Trail. It will show you five signs to tell you you’re ready to enter the political arena.

&nbsp;
&nbsp;
In this week's episode, Jennifer welcomes Christina Delisio, a seasoned community leader and former Manchester Planning Board member, who is currently running for State Representative in Massachusetts' 5th Essex District. Christina brings nearly a decade of experience championing local issues, a background in law, public service teaching, and environmental consulting. Raised in Pennsylvania with a deep respect for civic duty, Christina has navigated the complexities of local government, environmental regulations, and family life, making her campaign uniquely informed by hands-on experience and a commitment to public advocacy.
This episode explores the mechanics and challenges of running for office in Massachusetts, zeroing in on the obstacles facing candidates in special elections, low voter turnout, and the broader implications of one-party dominance. Jennifer and Christina discuss the need to participate in primaries, the frustrations with cookie-cutter policies from Beacon Hill, and the real-world setbacks caused by inaccessible or mishandled electoral systems. Controversial and compelling moments include candid commentary on local and state government overreach, the troubling decline in competitive races, the lack of diversity of thought in Massachusetts politics, and Christina&rsquo;s creation of the ACE Network, a grassroots initiative to empower new voices and combat barriers to the ballot. The conversation also delves into the often-overlooked importance of signature-gathering, the process's vulnerability to fraud, and the necessity of courage and initiative in civic engagement, especially for women.
"Massachusetts is all about diversity. &nbsp;Until it comes to diversity of ideas or thought, and then it's all done." ~Christina Delisio
This Week on Political Contessa:
<ul>
<li>Special elections often suffer from extremely low voter turnout.</li>
<li>Name confusion between candidates can create misunderstandings among voters.</li>
<li>Issues with absentee ballots and election administration errors affect participation.</li>
<li>One-party dominance leads to cookie-cutter policies that may not fit local communities.</li>
<li>Gathering signatures is costly and vulnerable to fraud, discouraging new candidates.</li>
<li>The ACE Network initiative aims to recruit and support new candidates at the grassroots level.</li>
<li>Many races in Massachusetts are uncontested, leading to predetermined outcomes.</li>
<li>Women need to be asked multiple times to run for office, while men are more likely to self-nominate.</li>
</ul>
Connect with Christina Delisio and the ACE Network
<ul>
<li>Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://christinadelisio.com/">christinadelisio.com</a></li>
<li>Facebook: D'Alissio5th&nbsp;</li>
<li>ACE Network: Search &ldquo;ACE Network&rdquo; or &ldquo;351 ACE Network&rdquo; on Facebook</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Awaken Your Inner Political Contessa
&nbsp;
Thanks for tuning into this week&rsquo;s episode of Political Contessa. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6ImzVp6n3MBUcMBP8jsZhu">Spotify</a> I <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=656529">Stitcher</a> I <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-contessa/id1588917810">Apple Podcasts</a> I <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-political-contessa-87658237/">iHeart Radio</a> I <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/Political-Contessa-p1531739/">TuneIn</a> I <a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvZGFlMDZlNGItMGQ0YS00YmZjLTljZGEtYWRhMjAwZmFjMjNlL2Y5ODQwODQzLWIyNjUtNDI0Mi05MWFiLWFkYWYwMGFlODZmOC9jYzc1YWM1MS1hZGU1LTQwYmEtYmY5My1hZGFmMDBiMmM5NjMvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M%3d">Google Podcasts</a>
&nbsp;
Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. And if you&rsquo;ve ever considered running for office &ndash; or know a woman who should &ndash; head over to <a href="http://politicalcontessa.com/">politicalcontessa.com</a> to grab my quick guide, Secrets from the Campaign Trail. It will show you five signs to tell you you&rsquo;re ready to enter the political arena.

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy, news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech. Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, & federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.

My name is Jennifer. I’m a single mom of three girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with two political science degrees, and I have no problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.

I spent three years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston Media. As a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.

Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week. For more information and resources, visit Political Contessa.

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy, news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech. Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, &amp; federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.
My name is Jennifer. I’m a single mom of three girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with two political science degrees, and I have no problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.
I spent three years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston Media. As a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.
Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week. For more information and resources, visit <a href="https://www.politicalcontessa.com">Political Contessa.</a>

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy, news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech. Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, & federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.  My name is Jennifer. I’m a single mom of three girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with two political science degrees, and I have no problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.  I spent three years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston Media. As a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.  Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week. For more information and resources, visit Political Contessa.

Political Contessa

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy and news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech.

Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, & federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.

I’m Jennifer. I’m a single mom of 3 girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with 2 political science degrees and I have NO problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.

I spent 3 years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston media. And as a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.

Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week and for more information and resources visit Political Contessa.

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy and news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech.
Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, &amp; federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.
I&rsquo;m Jennifer. I&rsquo;m a single mom of 3 girls living in Boston. I&rsquo;m a lawyer with 2 political science degrees and I have NO problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.
I spent 3 years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I&rsquo;m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston media. And as a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.
Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week and for more information and resources visit <a href="https://www.politicalcontessa.com">Political Contessa.</a>