Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is the quintessential battleground state — it has been a swing state in every presidential election for more than 70 years. And it is a state where deep political work must be done to reverse the stranglehold conservatives have on the government, build a durable political infrastructure, and tip the state for progressives once and for all.
| Pennsylvania Legislature | ||
Democrats |
Republicans |
|
| Senate | ||
| 2006 | 21 |
29 |
| Today | 21 |
29 |
| House | ||
| 2006 | 94 |
109 |
| Today | 102 |
101 |
Pennsylvania is the slowest-growing of any major state in the nation. Since few new people move in, progressives must build lasting political relationships that address people's core needs and take into account their core values. Pennsylvania is a conflicted state — voters hold conflicting views on economic and social issues in different parts of the state. In short, a "one size fits all" political strategy will not work here.
That's why Progressive Majority's long-term, state-based approach to candidate recruitment and development is so well-suited to meet this challenge. Our work to identify community leaders and activists, authentic candidates who care about what's best for people and who will lead on a local agenda, is what's needed here.
Tom Houghton
Candidate for State Representative - District 13 (Open Seat)
Atglen, East and West Nottingham, Elk, Franklin
Tom Houghton is an attorney running for the 13th Legislative District, representing Chester County. Tom was elected to serve on the London Grove Board of Supervisors in 2001 and became chair in 2004. As chair, Tom has lowered property taxes by nearly 9%, preserved farmland, and passed an ordinance to obtain impact fees from developers to fund parkland. He also allowed for the expansion of Yeatman's Mother Earth Organic Mushrooms and Gourmet's Delight, a group that instituted industry best practices and eliminated harmful air byproducts. In 2006, Tom ran against the incumbent, now retiring, and received 47% of the vote. That year, Tom raised $200,000 for the race, which was more than any Democrat had ever raised in the district.
Barbara McIlvaine Smith
Candidate for State Representative - District 156 (Incumbent)
West Chester, East and West Goshen and two southern precincts in East Bradford
Barbara McIlvaine Smith is seeking re-election to the 156th Legislative District, Chester County. Barbara is a lifelong resident of Chester County whose family roots date back to 1683. Barbara is an enrolled member of the federally recognized Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma. In 2001, she was elected to the West Chester Borough Council and served as the vice president from 2004-2006. Barbara is a member of American Association of University Women; Sierra Club; League of Women Voters; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; National Organization for Women; and The National Women's Political Caucus. Barbara is the first Democrat in 30 years to hold the 156th legislative seat, and we know she can build on her historic 2006 win.
Kevin Lee
Candidate for State Representative - District 163 (Challenger)
Kevin Lee is running for the State House District 163 seat to represent Delaware County. Kevin has been a member of the Lansdowne Borough Council since 2004. In 2005, he authored and spearheaded passage of a resolution to include employees' domestic partners and domestic partners' children in the borough employee insurance plan (a first in Delaware County). Kevin has worked on environmental issues for the borough including leading a movement to reduce the borough's waste disposal amounts by revamping the town's recycling program (recycling has increased by 50% since introduction of single stream recycling). Kevin is a registered nurse and would bring a much needed healthcare perspective to the General Assembly. If elected, according to the Victory Fund, he will be the first openly-gay legislator to serve in the Pennsylvania State Assembly. Kevin is hard working, has an excellent campaign plan and is a formidable challenger.
Tom Quinn
Candidate for State Representative - District 165 (Challenger)
The Borough of Morton, almost all of Springfield and 14 of 21 precincts in Marple, 7 of 15 precincts in Radnor
Tom Quinn is running for the 165th Legislative District, Delaware County. The 165th Legislative District in Delaware County includes the municipalities of Springfield, Morton, and parts of Maple and Radnor. Tom was the Pennsylvania State Education Association Representative for Central Bucks East High School from 1998-2002 and currently teaches at Philadelphia University. Tom currently holds a Democratic Committee seat to which he was elected in 2005, and has been extremely active in the party. A playwright, Tom was commissioned by the Walnut Street Theater to research and write three civil rights-themed plays. Tom is determined to beat a conservative incumbent and help change the General Assembly to a more progressive body.
Tony Payton Jr.
Candidate for State Representative - District 179 (Incumbent)
Philadelphia neighborhoods of Frankford, Hunting Park; Parts of Olney, Feltonville and Oxford Circle
Tony Payton Jr. is running for reelection in the 179th Legislative District, representing Philadelphia County. The 179th District is one of the poorest in the state, and African Americans and Latinos make up a majority population. Since his election to the General Assembly in 2006, Tony has been at the forefront of education reform in Pennsylvania. He introduced legislation to create the Pennsylvania Youth Commission and authored the REACH scholarship initiative. The REACH Scholarship would provide free tuition and fees to students in the State University System who maintain a 3.0 grade point average and a 90 percent attendance record. In 2007, Tony received the Philadelphia Tribune Leadership Award as one of the city's most influential African-Americans.
Babette Josephs
Candidate for State Representative - District 182 (Incumbent)
Philadelphia neighborhoods of Center City, Logan Square; Parts of Bellavista and Grays Ferry
Babette Josephs is seeking re-election to the 182nd Legislative District, Philadelphia County. She is a senior Democratic legislator and serves as the Chair of the House State Government Committee, which will oversee re-districting in 2010. Babette is dedicated to civil liberties and is responsible for a number of laws and pieces of legislation, including hate crimes protection for against crimes based on sexual orientation. Babette authored the law that guarantees confidentiality of HIV records. She also helped pass a law providing for automatic recounts in close state election races, and has been at the forefront fighting against those who seek to limit first amendment rights. Her current efforts are aimed at increasing state funding for public libraries and the arts. Babette is working to secure adequate and permanent funding for public transit, improved access to health care for low income working adults, increase the minimum wage and to end discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgendered individuals in health care, housing, and employment.
