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A diversity champion, breastfeeding advocate, and former Chair of the Jersey Romanian Association is standing for election in St. Saviour with Reform Jersey.
Raluca Kovacs (40) currently works for Customer and Local Services, as well as running the Aha restaurant in Howard Davis Park with her husband, who she lives with in St. Saviour along with their two children.
Having moved to Jersey 13 years ago, British-Romanian Mrs Kovacs has gone on to hold a number of community roles.
She has chaired the Romanian Association, co-chaired HSBC's Diversity and Inclusion working group, organised the 'Big Latch' events to promote breastfeeding alongside Family Nursing and Home Care, and volunteers with Mustard Seed.
Mrs Kovacs also had input into the recently issued Language Policy in Education, and has been involved in campaigns relating to parental leave, breastfeeding at work and discrimination.
In 2020, she won an 'Our Stars' public service award.
Mrs Kovacs said her primary concern is the "cost of living", noting that, in Jersey, "it is extremely hard to have a decent life, even when there are two full-time earners in the household. Sadly, there are still many people needing to rely on food banks and benefits to survive.”
She said she feels it "wrong" that the Government "continues to charge GST on essentials" and wants to see it look at exemptions on items in "everyday shopping baskets."
Pictured: Mrs Kovacs wants GST to be removed from essential items.
If elected, she says she would also use her voice to champion all of Jersey's cultural groups.
“We should celebrate our Island’s cultural diversity and see it as an opportunity not as a burden. We have talented people in all parts of our community. By investing in training for all interested locally, of any age, in the needed fields, we can help fill up the specialist gaps easier and support a more sustainable population policy.”
Leader of Reform Jersey, Senator Sam Mézec, described Mrs Kovacs record in serving the community as "first class and shows how in touch she is with those she hopes to represent."
"She is hard working and driven, two qualities that are essential in any good States Member. I hope the people of St. Saviour will support her," he added.
Jersey's election is taking place in June.
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