PHILADELPHIA, September 24, 2018 – With the goal of a more reflective democracy and supporting the push to flip seats in the Pennsylvania General Assembly from republican to democrat, Represent PA today announced it has endorsed 40 progressive women candidates. With the endorsement comes individual financial donations to each candidate totaling $115,000. This is in addition to the $51,000 Represent PA gave candidates ahead of the Spring primary.
Represent PA continues to be the only organization in Pennsylvania investing in progressive democratic women candidates for the Pennsylvania State Legislature in Harrisburg.
“The Pennsylvania legislature is not supporting our citizens,” said Christine Jacobs, Executive Director of Represent PA. “Our state is ranked 49th for women representation in government. We have the third worst drinking water in the country. And, our residents graduate from college with the highest amount of debt in the country. With strong performances by Tom Wolf and Bob Casey at the head of the ticket, and solid campaigns for Congress, none of our districts are out of reach.”
Led by Endorsement Chair Meg Charendoff, Represent PA’s application process was open to all progressive women candidates running for a Senate or House seat across the Commonwealth – including incumbents, challengers and candidates whom Represent PA previously endorsed. Applications were evaluated for alignment with Represent PA’s progressive values and the strength and viability of the candidate’s campaign. Other factors considered were a district’s historical voting data, current candidate polling and race analysis from various sources.
“Represent PA is committing to helping these 40 exceptional women get over the finish line and onward to Harrisburg,” said Charendoff. “And we know from talking to these candidates that these endorsements and the money we give them can make a difference for their campaigns.”
Represent PA endorsed six candidates for State Senate and 34 for State House:
Senate:
Maria Collett- SD 12
Tina Davis*-SD 6
Linda Fields- SD 24
Katie Muth- SD 44
Tarah Probst- SD 40
Lindsey Williams- SD 38
*Running for both House and Senate
House:
Meredith Buck- HD 144
Donna Bullock- HD 195
Morgan Cephas- HD 192
Carolyn Comitta- HD 156
Amy Cozze- HD 137
Mary Jo Daley- HD 148
Tina Davis*- HD 141
Pamela DeLissio- HD 194
Sarah Donnelly- HD107
Elizabeth Fielder- HD 184
Pam Hacker- HD 26
Liz Hanbidge- HD 61
Sara Innomorato- HD 21
Patty Kim- HD 103
Michelle Knoll- HD 44
Leanne Krueger-Braneky- HD 161
Summer Lee- HD 34
Maureen Madden- HD 115
Joanna McClinton- HD 191
Erin McCracken- HD 171
Betsy Monroe- HD 30
Jennifer O’Mara- HD 165
Danielle Friel Otten- HD 155
Mary Popovich- HD 58
Sara Johnson Rothman- HD 151
Christina Sappey- HD 158
Kristin Seale- HD 168
Melissa Shusterman- HD 157
Emily Skopov- HD 28
Helen Tai- HD 178
Kerith Strano Taylor- HD 66
Wendy Ullman- HD 143
Susannah (Sue) Walker- HD 13
Claudette Williams- HD 176
Rosita Youngblood- HD 198
*Running for both House and Senate
For more information about these endorsed candidates or their races, look at their election profiles online, or find information about them at RepresentPA.org.
Getting its start in 2013, Represent PA has been helping progressive women claim their seat at the table. Represent PA is the only organization in Pennsylvania focused on investing in progressive women candidates for the Pennsylvania House and Senate. Represent PA is leading the way in PA for women to create a reflective democracy. With 80% of its donors being new to political giving, Represent PA is raising money, analyzing races and candidates – to invest where it can challenge the status quo. Today, Represent PA is focused on paving the way for progressing women so that tomorrow those voices will shape government in Harrisburg and Washington. To learn more about Represent, visit representpa.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Media Contact
Heidi Siegel
Communication Chair
+1 215 287 2677
siegelh@comcast.net
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Sources:
https://www.representwomen.org/gpi_2018
https://lendedu.com/blog/average-student-loan-debt-statistics
