A Temple alumnae has recently started her first full term as a state legislator.

  Donna Bullock, who was first elected in a special election in 2015 to serve the 195th district—which covers Strawberry Mansion, Francisville and parts of Fairmount—was sworn in January 3rd to mark the start of Pennsylvania’s 201st legislative session.

  “I am excited for the opportunity to continue representing and fighting for the residents of the 195th District, both at home and in Harrisburg,” Bullock said in a prepared statement. “We have new challenges ahead in this upcoming session and I am ready to work with my colleagues to bring positive change to the commonwealth.”

  Bullock, a Democrat who won a special election two summers ago, was also chosen to serve as vice chairwoman of the Philadelphia Legislative Black Caucus.

“I am honored that my peers selected me to serve in this position for such a very important caucus,” she said of being picked for the role.

  Before serving as a state representative, Bullock was a special assistant to City Council President Darrell Clarke, along with being a research fellowship director for City Council. She first worked in Clarke’s office in 2011, as a community and economic development coordinator.

  Before her work in government, she volunteered for multiple community organizations in North and West Philadelphia. She graduated from Temple Law in 2004.

  According to Bullock’s official website, she is a co-sponsor of six bills that will be introduced during this session. They range from: limiting the possession of firearms to those who undergo involuntary mental health treatment; adding motorcycles to the state’s Lemon Law; and expanding real estate tax reductions to veterans.

  Bullock defeated fellow Democrats Jamar Izzard and Jimmie Moore in last year’s primary, garnering nearly 80 percent of the vote. She ran unopposed in the general election.  •