With the new Pennsylvania Congressional maps handed down by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court a whole new opportunity for breaking the completely male Congressional delegation of the state and putting in some new Progressive voices has opened up.
The Cook Political Report picks the new PA-05 seat as a Safe Democratic pickup. It was the old 7th district that was notoriously gerrymandered for Republican hack, Pat Meehan. With Meehan retiring in disgrace from a sexual harassment settlement, and new fair lines, this should be an easy win for the Democrats. The new district combines Delaware County and South Philadelphia.
It has of course attracted a large amount of Democratic candidates in the primary.
However, one candidate just scored a great endorsement. Matt Cartwright represents a Democratic congressional district in northeast Pennsylvania. Trump won the district last year, but Cartwright has held on because of his strong working class ties. The new PA-05 also has quite a bit of white working class voters.
Cartwright has endorsed, Lindy Li:
"It's my pleasure to endorse Lindy Li in her race for the new 5th Congressional District of Pennsylvania. I've known Lindy for several years now, and I recognize her as a real force for change in Southeastern Pennsylvania. She is an irrepressibly ardent advocate for core Democratic values, an energetic Democratic Party organizer, and someone with whom I would be proud to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives."
Li, who has worked in financial industry, has been an active Democratic and Environmental activist, even appearing on FOX News of all places to defend strong environmental policies.
Cartwright is correct here, Li seems to be the best candidate for this seat. One of the growing constituencies of the Democratic Party is Asian Americans, and Li, an immigrant from China could assume a national leadership role here. Also, Li as a millennial will give some representation to this demographic that our Democratic coalition is banking on and so dependent on. We are also more dependent on women voters ,and she can correct the shame of the Keystone state not having any women in its Congressional delegation. Also, if Li holds the seat or the future Delaware County seat for years, she can also build up seniority and eventually chair environmental committees among others.
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