Capital-Star Q&A: Where the Democrats in the PA-12 primary stand on the issues
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U.S. Rep. Summer Lee (l) and Democratic challenger Bhavini Patel (Capital-Star composite image)
In perhaps one of the most-watched Congressional primaries in the country, U.S. Rep. Summer Lee is seeking a second term representing Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District, and is facing primary challenger Bhavini Patel, a member of Edgewood Borough Council in Allegheny County.
The winner of the blue-leaning seat will enter as the favorite in the November general election. James Hayes is the only Republican on the primary ballot.
The Capital-Star asked Lee and Patel a series of questions about why they should be the Democratic party’s nominee. Here’s how they replied to the question: Why do you believe you are the best candidate for this position?
“As a lifelong Democrat, I’m proud to call Western PA home. I grew up in a working-class family and believe in the power of the American Dream – we must protect it,” Patel said. “Being in touch with our region is important.”
“As a Councilmember, I’m deeply passionate about addressing our region’s old housing,” she added. “We can do better with collaborative leadership. Democracy is fragile and fringe extremism voting patterns and rhetoric erodes the ability to deliver on the very issues uplifting working-class communities. Our fundamental freedoms depend on 2024 and re-electing President Biden, including advocating for reproductive justice, protecting our LGBTQ+ communities, holding big corporations accountable, and ending systemic racism.
Lee described her three main objectives for the district: providing excellent constituent services, delivering substantial benefits to the district, and combating extremism.
“I am beyond proud of the work my team has been able to do so far, and I am deeply humbled by the coalition we have been able to build,” Lee said. “We have been endorsed by the entire House leadership, the most labor unions, the entire environmental movement, reproductive justice organizations, gun violence prevention groups, and the largest coalition of local electeds by far.”
“And this is more than just an endorsement list, this is a list of leaders that I am confident will work together to tackle our region’s most difficult problems,” she added.
The candidates’ full answers to the questionnaires are at the links below. They have been lightly edited.
The post Capital-Star Q&A: Where the Democrats in the PA-12 primary stand on the issues appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
