Danielle Friel Otten is a mother, businesswoman, and community leader who has called Chester County home for over two decades. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she first moved Chester County to attend college at West Chester University. She quickly fell in love with the rolling countryside, small town boroughs, and the comfort of a strong community-focused life. Danielle has spent the majority of her professional career in marketing and hospitality. Over the past two years, much of Danielle’s time and energy has also turned towards leading a community-based coalition for public safety, private property rights, and environmental preservation in Exton, PA, where she resides with her husband and two young children.

Danielle’s community-based organizing began when rumors that the Mariner East pipeline construction would overtake her neighbor’s yard, just feet from where her children play. Danielle began coordinating with neighbors to demand safety, transparency, and accountability within the township of Uwchlan. In 2017 Danielle officially co-founded the Uwchlan Safety Coalition (USC) in order to grow community power throughout the township. USC was successful in helping to mobilize hundreds of community members to advocate for public safety and private property rights.  In November 2017, USC members were instrumental in electing a new slate of township leaders committed to enforcing local pipeline zoning ordinance.

Danielle was also integral in founding the Del-Chesco United for Pipeline Safety, a collective of eight Delaware County and Chester County coalitions joining forces to bring the fight for public safety to Harrisburg. Del-Chesco United engages in advocacy work at the state level, working to ensure that Pennsylvania legislators do their job to protect public health and safety, safeguard private property rights, and preserve natural resources, including clean safe drinking water. Danielle’s goal throughout this work has been to empower and support Chester County residents to discover their collective power & build leadership in their own communities.

Moved by her desire to advocate for her community and stand up to the lobbyists in Harrisburg who work to take our voice away, in January of 2018 Danielle declared her candidacy for Pennsylvania’s 155th Legislative District.

Danielle is running to build a better future for her family and her community, and to protect and serve all citizens equally in the legislature. She is committed to addressing Pennsylvania’s education budget shortfalls, and to reducing the emphasis on standardized testing as a basis for state funding. She believes health care is a human right and will fight to ensure that all residents have the care they need, particularly when struggling with complicated medical conditions such as cancer or addiction. As a businesswoman, Danielle will explore ways in which the legislature can support small businesses that invest in the communities they call home, building thriving local economies for hardworking families. Danielle will work to improve resources for seniors, and for families caring for aging parents and grandparents.  She will work to bring people together to solve challenging problems for the common good.

Danielle Friel Otten will be a champion for Chester County and the 155th district.

Danielle is:

• Marketer with 20 years of experience in hospitality industry
• Co-Founder, Organizer, and Advocate – Uwchlan Safety Coalition
• Co-Founder, Organizer, and Advocate – Del-Chesco United for Pipeline Safety
• Member of Uwchlan Township Parks & Recreation Board
• Fundraising Chair Uwchlan Community Day
• Community Volunteer for Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative
• Facilitator – 4 Roles of Social Change