The district of PA-8 is potentially fertile ground for Red-to-Blue conversion - the current Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R) was knocked out of office in 2006 by Patrick Murphy (D), but regained the office in 2010. Romney won in PA-8 by 255 votes – 0.1% of the total district vote count in 2012. To be sure, Fitzpatrick is the favorite in a modestly R-leaning district, but taken together these facts suggest that this race is worth some energy.
Ms. Naughton, an EMILY'S LIST endorsed candidate, must first face a Democratic primary opponent, Kevin Strouse, who was originally the DCCC hand-picked candidate to take on Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R). I say originally, because DCCC (perhaps sensing the changing winds?) has stepped away from their strong endorsement, instead recently listing PA-8 as an "emerging district" more generally without a clear statement on favorites. In other exciting news, a recent poll (full disclosure, the poll was commissioned by the Naughton campaign) shows a sizable lead over Strouse among likely Democratic primary voters.
Important distinctions exist between Naughton and Strouse, including their stands on energy policy and the environment. Fracking is a big deal in Pennsylvania, PA-8 being no exception. Naughton has come down very strongly against fracking and in support of renewable energy, while Strouse has given (at least in my opinion) mealy-mouthed statements on fracking that suggest a desire to play both sides of the issue. Naughton, with background in biomedical science, has voiced clear concerns about climate change and the need to support climate science.
Personally, I have met Ms. Naughton and spoken with her on a number of occasions, and have found her to be refreshingly down-to-earth, thoughtful, and earnest. This is her first run for a national office, and she does not comport herself like a career politician (I consider this a plus).
Here are some of her positions, taken as excerpts from her website:
HEALTHCARE
* Implementing the Affordable Care Act and making improvements
* Driving down the escalating cost of health care
* Investing in cutting-edge research and technological advances
* Strengthening Medicare
EQUAL RIGHTS
* Ensuring that all members of our military and veterans – regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity – are allowed to serve receive quality health care and services through the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs
* Preventing bullying in our schools, from kindergarten through college
* Ending discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the workplace
* Expanding benefits – including marriage - for same-sex couples
ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
* Investing in clean technology and renewable energy
* Preserving and protecting our wild lands and spaces
* Supporting sensible policies to address climate change
NATURAL GAS DRILLING
* Introducing legislation permanently banning fracking on the Delaware River basin. It would be irresponsible to even remotely threaten a source of drinking water for 15 million people by allowing companies to drill using and storing dangerous chemicals that can get into our potable water.
To me, Ms. Naughton represents a reality-based Progressive candidate, the kind that is deserving of our attention. If she sounds like your kind of candidate as well, consider supporting her - her campaign website and ActBlue page are listed below:
Naughton campaign website
Naughton ActBlue fundraising page
Comments are closed on this story.