Recent news from across the commonwealth has been about at least four special elections. One of them is for the Senate seat vacated by a Republican incumbent who resigned to start his new job in Congress in January. Pam Iovino, a life-long public servant – both at the federal and local level – has stepped up to run to fill the 37th Senatorial district seat, which includes Allegheny and part of Washington counties. And, after reviewing Pam’s endorsement application, Represent PA has endorsed Pam and is investing in her campaign for Senate.
Pam has had a 23-year career in the U.S Navy, and after retiring as a Captain began serving as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Among her responsibilities she acts as a liaison to Congress and the department’s lead advocate for more than 25 million veterans and their families. Pam later assumed the role of director of veterans’ services for Allegheny County.
If Pam wins the special election on April 2, Pennsylvanians have a chance to not only elect another progressive woman, but also to flip a seat from red to blue. A total of four seats are needed to be even with the Senate Republicans – a scenario that would give Lt. Governor Fetterman the tie-breaking vote in the Senate.
Represent PA’s goal for 2020 is to gain donations in 2019 and then make a few early investments in 2020, better enabling progressive women candidates well ahead of the primary season.
In addition, there are quite a few special election opportunities where progressive women have a chance to both gain additional seats for women and get closer to the goal of flipping the house and senate.
By also investing in the off-cycle races, Represent PA has more opportunities to influence the 2020 redistricting process, which follows the 2020 census.
