Pennsylvania U.S. Rep. Summer Lee (D-12) received endorsements from top Democratic leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8), Whip Katherine Clark (MA- 15) and Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (CA-33) for his re-election campaign.
The statement noted that Lee is the first Black woman to represent Pennsylvania in Congress and a civil rights advocate advocating for organized labor.
“Since her first days in Congress, Summer has been a fighter for the People — working to keep our communities safe, create good-paying union jobs, and protect fundamental rights like reproductive freedom,” the three said in a joint statement. “We are proud to support Summer Lee’s re-election campaign to the U.S. House of Representatives so she can help us regain a majority in the House, oppose the extreme Republican MAGA agenda, and continue our tremendous progress on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania.”
Although Lee is an incumbent and it is not unusual for party leaders to support members seeking re-election, Lee is one of several progressive Democrats, including Cori Bush (D-Mo.) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN), who have major claimants and have attracted criticism for speaking out against the war in Israel and supporting a ceasefire.
“I hope he will speak out as urgently and aggressively as those who speak out against us.” – Lee he told Politico in November, referring to Jeffries.
Lee has already received endorsements from Pennsylvania’s elected Democrats, including U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, another progressive colleague who rose with Lee after winning the blue wave election. in 2018.
Lee faced criticism from her main opponent, Bhavini Patel, for having a “national agenda”. As she launched her campaign in October, she told the Capital-Star that “it is absolutely necessary that we elect someone who wants to be a powerful ally of the president. “
Lee also accepted the criticism did not sign the Chamber’s resolution expressing support for Israel and condemning Hamas for the October 7 attack that killed over 1,400 people. She expressed concern about the situation of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. However, Lee said in October that “the violence unleashed by Hamas in Israel, in particular the horrific kidnapping and killing of over a thousand innocent civilians and children, is horrific, unjustified and must be condemned.”
Another candidate announced that she also plans to challenge Lee in the Democratic primary. Laurie MacDonald, president and CEO of the Center for Victims and a Mon Valley native, said in a news release last week that she is a “moderate” who has “deeply rooted life experience and a strong understanding of all of our unique communities” and cultures.”
Patel announced Tuesday that she has received endorsements from Operating Engineers Local 66, Steamfitters Local 449 and the SMART (Sheet Metal, Aerospace, Rail and Transportation Workers) union. Earlier this month, she announced that her campaign raised $310,000 in the fourth quarter.
Lee has not released her fourth-quarter fundraising information yet; The Federal Election Commission reports are expected to be ready by the end of the month.
“Our progressive movement is creating a blueprint not only for Western Pennsylvania, but for our entire country on what it looks like to defeat Trumpism by leading with compassion, equality and justice,” Lee said in a statement Wednesday. “I am honored by the support of leaders Jeffries, Clark and Aguilar – and look forward to continuing to work with them to protect abortion access, voting rights and immaculate energy investments to serve the people of PA’s 12th Congressional District. “
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