FORT WASHINGTON, Pa — With a vision of getting involved in politics and having a voice on the local level, Anna Payne, a financial services clerk at TruMark Financial^® Credit Union, tossed her hat in the ring and won the seat for auditor in Middletown Township in the Nov. 8 election.

Payne’s first-time bid for political office was her attempt to get involved so she can be a catalyst for change. The young financial-services worker is now part of a three-member panel that hires and signs off on professional auditors who review the books in the township of more than 45,000 people. Her goal is to ensure transparency on how books are balanced in a large suburban township. Payne views her position as a stepping stone to get her foot in the door and get more involved in the political arena.