Diann Slavit Baylis likes to be involved in public service because she loves how it feels to change someone’s life. It was that feeling that drove her to become an immigration attorney.
“I worked in Democratic politics for a long time, and I realized that helping people is what I want to do, and I thought by going to law school I could really have a significant impact on someone’s [life],” Slavit Baylis said. “Through doing immigration law I know I did the right thing by going to law school.”
Slavit Baylis said that she worked hard to make her way through college, and that although she got some federal grants, she always knew if she ever failed a course, that was her money, “that wasn’t daddy’s or mommy’s money.”
“If you are the last of nine kids you have to be scrappy, you have to know what you want and you have to work for it, and I knew early on,” said Slavit Baylis.
As a mother of four, Slavit Baylis plans to focus on improving education. She said she is well aware of the ramifications in public education brought on by the pandemic and believes introducing more counselors to school staff to accommodate everyone could improve the situation.
As someone who had someone “very close” to her pass from gun violence, Slavit Baylis is adamant about keeping gun control regulations at the state level.
“Discretionary licensing based on a standard of suitability, administered at the local level, is the key pillar of our most-effective-in-the-nation gun violence prevention laws in Massachusetts,” said Slavit Baylis.
The environment and transportation are two other pillars of her platform. Slavit Baylis supports introducing incentives and rebates for driving electric cars and funding more charging stations. Public transportation and train service are also on top of this list along with the return of a ferry from Lynn to Boston to address the upcoming closure of the Commuter Rail station in Lynn, and the clean up of King’s Beach.
“This is not just a real estate issue, it’s a health issue,” said Slavit Baylis of the beach.
Slavit Baylis said she planned to focus on expanding STEM programs in the region’s high schools, colleges, and universities to create a workforce that is qualified for these jobs.
“With enough funding and innovative thinking, we can introduce more well-paid jobs to the regional economy,” said Slavit Baylis.
Slavit Baylis, who recently completed a 210-mile ride from Massachusetts to Connecticut on a tandem bicycle together with her husband, Angus McQuilken, to raise awareness about gun violence, is now eager to dedicate her knowledge and energy to the 8th Essex.
“I am the last of nine kids, I know how to get things done. I will not give up, let’s put it that way. If something needs to be done, it needs to be done,” said Slavit Baylis.
