Local Power, Real Democracy: Stefanie Santiago on District Leadership in Bloomfield | D10/11

In this 30‑minute one‑on‑one conversation, Lo Sontag (D10/11) sits down with Stefanie Santiago, a Bloomfield‑based community activist working to strengthen local democracy through civic education.

Stefanie has initiated a Civic Education Program focused on helping neighbors understand the role of district leaders, why local political structures matter, and how local and federal politics are deeply connected. This conversation breaks down how power actually functions at the neighborhood level—and why participation doesn’t start (or end) with presidential elections.

More info: https://www.bloomfieldforprogress.com/stefaniesantiago

Together, they discuss:

What district leaders do—and why the role is often misunderstood
How civic education can rebuild trust and participation in local politics
The connection between local governance and the future of democracy
Why organizing at the neighborhood level still matters

This episode is for anyone frustrated with national politics who wants to better understand where real political power lives—and how to engage it locally.