WASHINGTON — The election is in less than sixty days and Democrats across Pennsylvania are fired up to flip the General Assembly from red to blue. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is announcing eight additional Spotlight Candidates who are running strong campaigns to hold Republicans accountable and fight for their communities in Harrisburg.
“The Pennsylvania Republican Party has doubled down on extremism, and they have absolutely nothing to offer Pennsylvanians who are struggling through this pandemic and economic crisis,” said DLCC President Jessica Post. “We have an incredible group of leaders who are stepping up to hold them accountable, and I’m so excited to flip Pennsylvania blue so they can finally get to work.”
Throughout this year, Pennsylvania Republicans have repeatedly fought Gov. Tom Wolf tooth-and-nail as he works with Democratic lawmakers to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the two top state Republicans have called it quits. Mike Turzai, the former GOP speaker, resigned early and GOP Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati will not seek re-election. It’s clear that the Pennsylvania GOP is in retreat and Democrats are ready to take charge in Harrisburg.
The full slate of Spotlight Candidates includes 28 outstanding community advocates who are already fighting to move Pennsylvania forward. The new additions include:
- Paul Friel (HD-26), an accomplished small business owner who’s ready to leverage his experience to make government work for everyday Pennsylvanians.
- Lissa Geiger Shulman (HD-30), an educator and children’s advocate who is fighting to make sure everyone in her community enjoys the same opportunities she did.
- Jessica Benham (HD-36), a union organizer and community leader who will continue to fight for access to health care and voting rights in Harrisburg.
- Napoleon Nelson (HD-154), a financial professional who is running to build 21st-century schools and defend civil and voting rights for all Pennsylvanians.
- Anton Andrew (HD-160), an attorney and public defender who spearheaded environmental protection projects in his community.
- Dave Delloso (HD-162), a veteran and union leader who is running to advocate for better labor laws, expanded access to health care, and stronger schools.
- Deb Ciamacca (HD-168), a Marine veteran and union public school teacher who is determined to tackle some of Pennsylvania’s toughest issues head-on.
- Darisha Parker (HD-198), a respected community advocate who is running to reduce poverty and tackle the epidemic of gun violence.
Both chambers of the Pennsylvania General Assembly are top targets in the DLCC’s $50 million Flip Everything campaign to win legislative majorities across the country this year. Since Trump’s election, the DLCC and state Democrats have flipped more than 450 seats and 10 legislative chambers from red to blue.
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