State Rep. Melissa Conyears-Ervin is officially in the race for city treasurer, saying she’s the candidate who best understands the struggles of working class Chicagoans.

Conyears-Ervin said she wants to bring investment to places that need it, such as the West Side where she lives with her husband, 28th Ward Ald. Jason Ervin, and their young daughter.

“I’m not on the outside looking in, I’m the only candidate in this race who’s living in this community,” Conyears-Ervin said.

She hearkened back to her mother losing her union electrician job when the plant where she worked left the city, and said it showed her how important it is to be a careful steward of taxpayer money. “These investments are important to the city, and important to taxpayers,” Conyears-Ervin said.