Heather Micha is running for the 123rd Assembly seat as an independent. For the past 14 years, she has run Nice to Micha Cleaning Service. She has also served in leadership roles in several women’s interest groups, including the New York State Women’s Binghamton Chapter, Broome County Status of Women Council, and the Broome County Republican Women’s Club. Micha is also the co-founder of Divine Mission Ministries.
Questionnaire responses have been edited lightly for clarity.
How does your background and previous experience qualify you for this position?
I am a multifaceted woman with over 15 years of experience in founding and managing various small businesses and nonprofit organizations. My journey began with Nice to Micha Cleaning Service, followed by My Marketing Agency. I also established a 501(c)(3) organization to support children who have lost their parent(s) due to the heroin epidemic. Additionally, I hold a bachelor’s degree in business, management and economics, and I am just a few months away from completing my master’s degree in theology.
For the past 20 years, I have been actively involved in community volunteer work, taking on leadership roles, directing initiatives, creating policies and developing programs. This experience has taught me how to collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and political affiliations.
I am also an advocate for the unhoused population and for individuals facing mental health and substance abuse challenges. I believe these issues need urgent attention, as I have personally experienced homelessness and dealt with mental health issues. Each situation is unique and must be addressed accordingly. My experiences have given me a deep understanding of how to develop effective solutions to this growing problem both in our state and across the country.
My career has focused on identifying problems and developing effective solutions. I am running as the independent candidate for the New York State Assembly because I have witnessed firsthand where our systems fall short. My goal is to provide practical leadership and address the issues that impact our district.
What makes you a good candidate for young voters and students?
I believe that being an effective candidate starts with understanding the challenges young voters and students face. By listening to conversations throughout Broome County, I connect with those dealing with rising costs and concerns about infrastructure and energy.
Many students feel frustrated with the quality of education they receive despite paying a premium. They also express concern about the lack of job opportunities in our area. My focus is on enhancing economic growth and creating more jobs locally and statewide. I will promote programs that encourage students to stay in our area while providing leadership and job opportunities that address their needs. Our community deserves a representative who values responsiveness, transparency and meaningful impact.
What motivated you to run for this position?
As a native of Broome County, I have witnessed firsthand how what was once a valley of opportunity has diminished before my eyes. I see a formerly powerful, motivated and prosperous area now facing empty storefronts, rising costs, an increasing homeless population and escalating rates of substance abuse and mental health issues. I recognize where our leaders have fallen short, and I believe it’s time for a genuine leader — not a bought-and-paid-for puppet — to step up and bring real change and positive impact.
Healthy adults and youth should not suffer from anxiety, depression, addiction or suicide. This shows our society is unhealthy, and it’s time for a new public health policy, which I propose to call the Spiritual Health and Wellbeing Act. This act formally recognizes spirituality as a determinant of health, ensures equitable access to spiritual care and integrates spiritual well-being into health and social service provisions.
Spiritual health and well-being encompass a sense of meaning, purpose, transcendence and connectedness, whether through faith, philosophy or personal values. I can relate to this deeply, as I am a survivor of rape, physical and emotional abuse and homicide. I have hit rock bottom multiple times, experiencing homelessness and battling my own mental health issues and alcoholism. Despite these challenges, I have overcome them and found my purpose and sense of connectedness. This is what motivates me to run for the 123rd District seat in the New York State Assembly.
What do you view as the biggest weakness of the current administration, and how would you do things differently?
In my opinion, one of the most significant weaknesses of this administration is its persistent engagement in military conflicts across various nations. This ongoing involvement is particularly troubling, given that we are grappling with a multitude of pressing issues within our own country that demand our immediate attention.
Our infrastructure is in dire need of repair and modernization, and we must seek sustainable energy solutions to combat climate change and reduce our reliance on foreign oil. Instead of allocating substantial portions of our budget to overseas military endeavors, we should prioritize directing our tax dollars toward these critical domestic concerns. By doing so, we can foster stability, enhance the quality of life for our citizens and ultimately strengthen our nation from the ground up.