Janet Diaz Temin has spent the last 18 years as a healthcare professional. As a member of the Lancaster City Council, she has been a strong advocate for the community and, throughout her life, has been a voice for those in need.
 
Janet Diaz Temin was raised in Lancaster, where her family faced many hardships and barriers. Her mother struggled to find work, affordable housing, and childcare. Her family experienced homelessness and poverty. Janet overcame these obstacles to establish a successful career in healthcare. She currently works as a medical analyst at Lancaster General Health/UPENN DNA.
 
Throughout her career, she has actively sought opportunities to serve her community. She worked as a sexual assault counselor for six years at the YWCA, taught Sunday school at a local church, and regularly served the elderly at Conestogaview’s local nursing home.

In 2017, Janet was elected to the Lancaster City Council, making history as the first Latina to be elected to the council. She chaired the Personnel Committee and co-chaired the Public Works and Finance Committees during her first term.

In 2021, she was re-elected and currently chairs the Safety Committee while co-chairing the Finance and Public Works Committees. She is proud of her work in creating legislation to hire more police officers and firefighters, support small businesses, provide affordable housing, improve road infrastructure, protect the environment, ensure safe water and clean air, and celebrate the diverse community of Lancaster.

Throughout her political career, Janet has been an independent voice, not a rubber stamper. Despite never being endorsed by her local Democratic Party in her past campaigns, this did not deter her.

In 2020, Janet Diaz Temin ran for the Pennsylvania State Senate, making history as the first Latina to do so. She raised the most money for a Democrat in Lancaster County, earning endorsements from leaders and organizations such as President Barack Obama, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, the Human Rights Campaign, the Latino Victory Project, Emily’s List, CASA in Action, the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, and many Pennsylvania labor unions, including SEIU, AFSCME, PA Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, and the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association. She also voted to allocated funding and grants to support numerous organizations in Lancaster City.

Janet remains steadfast in her loyalty and dedication to those who call Pennsylvania home. In 2021, Janet was elected as an at-large delegate of Pennsylvania NOW. In 2024, she was elected Vice President of Pennsylvania NOW, a national women’s political organization fighting for women’s equality and rights.

Currently, she serves as the Corresponding Secretary of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, now in her second term. In 2023, she was elected Chair of the PA Dems Latino Caucus. Janet is a Lifetime Member of the NALEO Education Fund and has been a member of the National Federation of Democratic Women York Chapter, the Farmers Union, was a member of African American Society, was on the Advocacy Council for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Coalition member of the National Infrastructure Bank and a member of Pennsylvania Municipal League. Janet Diaz Temin is currently a DEI Ambassador at UPENN/Lancaster General Health, and a member of the DEI Advisory Council, Lancaster County Youth Aid Panel.

Janet Diaz Temin was called to run as a delegate for President Biden in 2024 because she believes that Latina women across the nation and in Pennsylvania are worth fighting for representation.

She is a proud graduate of J.P. McCaskey High School, attended Thompson Institute and Lancaster Bible College, and graduated from the Citizens’ Police Academy of Lancaster City. In 2017, she graduated from Emerge Pennsylvania.

Now, Janet is running for mayor and has the opportunity to make history as the first Latina Mayor in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This historic milestone would not only represent a personal achievement but also a major step forward for representation in the state.