In race for 1st district, Ashley Ehasz takes aim at Brian Fitzpatrick's bipartisan brand

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick's bipartisan brand — which includes serving as co-chair for the 50-member Problem Solvers Caucus and voting in for several bills that were favored by Democrats — has served him well politically, helping propel the veteran legislator to victory in his prior two re-election campaigns, in 2018 and 2020.

It's earned him detractors, as well, from conservative Republicans who feel he's not supporting the values of the party. And his opponent in this year's election, Democrat Ashley Ehasz, is calling his bipartisanship into question, especially when it comes to high-profile issues such as abortion.

"When we look at what is different in 2022, we are now in a post-Jan. 6 world; we are now in a post-Roe v. Wade world," Ehasz said during a recent appearance before this news organizations' editorial board. "Would a moderate person or a moderate leader vote against the formation of the January 6 Committee, which would have investigated the events of that day, but also the events that led to lost of lives of several police officers that were there?"

But, will that be enough to unseat an incumbent who's leading in the polls and in financing?

Terry Madonna, a respected political scientist and co-founder of the Franklin & Marshall College Poll, said Fitzpatrick is well-positioned going in to November.

"I think Fitzpatrick's bipartisanship has been helpful, particularly in Bucks County," Madonna said. "It's hard to be a MAGA Republican in a suburb so close to Philadelphia. You can't do that very well and expect to win."

Analysis:Ehasz fundraising suggests 1st District is likely to stay red with Fitzpatrick

Third-party challenges:Why some candidates in Bucks County are being thrown off ballot in the 2022 election

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How Brian Fitzpatrick has voted

Fitzpatrick's most recent voting record has opened him up to criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike that he is neither bipartisan enough nor conservative enough when it matters most.

Of key issues in this, the 117th Congress, Fitzpatrick was one of only 11 Republican representatives to vote in favor of removing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from all committee roles on Feb. 4, 2021, but he joined with every other Republican representative in voting against statehood for Washington, D.C.

Fitzpatrick also voted in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act, joining 46 other Republican representatives in supporting the recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages.

All of that is overshadowed, perhaps, by Fitzpatrick's votes against impeaching former president Donald Trump and for voting against the January 6 Commission.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has long chided Fitzpatrick on his record, intimating that Fitzpatrick cherry picks safe bipartisan issues but sides with Republicans in everything else.

“Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick has been all talk, no action in Washington," said DCCC Chairperson Sean Patrick Maloney in a statement in May. "Bucks and Montgomery counties deserve a member who will represent them, not a coward who will fold to MAGA party bosses."

In an open letter published on the DCCC's website, it stated "Rep. Brian Fitizpatrick is not who he claims to be," and that when it matters most, Fitzpatrick voted with MAGA Republican leadership in Congress to oppose small business aid and middle-class tax cuts to Pennsylvania families, protect Donald Trump at all costs, and he "wants to criminalize abortion" without any exceptions for victims of rape and incest.

"Bucks and Montgomery Counties deserve a representative who will protect the right to an abortion, support middle class tax cuts, and work to find bipartisan solutions to solve the real problems they face every day," the open letter continued. "Ashley Ehasz has spent her career fighting for our country and its values, in stark contrast to the mealy-mouthed, DC parlor games of Brian Fitzpatrick."

DCCC spokesperson James Singer doubled down on the assertion.

“When it matters most, Brian Fitzpatrick will always side with the MAGA leaders in the Republican party," Singer said. "Fitzpatrick opposed impeaching Trump and refused to protect a woman’s right to an abortion—– what else do voters need to know?”

Ehasz said Fitzpatrick's "self-stylized, or self-determined moderatism" deserves further scrutiny and that he has failed constituents in Bucks County and nationwide with his recent downvotes on several crucial issues.

"If this is someone who's moderate, then why didn't he vote to codify Roe V. Wade at the federal level?" she said. "If this is someone who is moderate and wants to make sure crime is not committed in our community, why did he cosponsor and then vote against the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Bill?"

At the time, Fitzpatrick said he voted against the plan to investigate the Jan. 6 riot because he wanted a truly bipartisan committee to look into what happened when the Capitol was stormed, injuring more than 100 police officers and leading to the deaths of five people.

Fitzpatrick, in his own meeting with this news organization's editorial board, focused on his overall bipartisan record and said the Problem Solvers "were the ones that brought (the 2020 COVID relief fund) package together," and that the caucus was instrumental in the passage of the transportation bill President Joe Biden recently signed.

"We're not engaged in (ceremonial issues such as) the naming of the post office, we're going into the really controversial areas," Fitzpatrick said, "which is a challenge for some of our members who exposed themselves in their primaries, but that's what we ask of them."

In respect to naming post offices, Fitzpatrick did join a bipartisan effort to designate the United States Postal Service facility in Houston, TX, as the Benny C. Martinez Post Office Building.

Related:Rep. Fitzpatrick: Any investigation of US Capitol riot must be bipartisan

Bucks County GOP ouster: Bucks County Republicans remove Jan. 6 rioter from Doylestown committee seat

Abortion decision fallout:Abortion rights advocates rally outside office of Bucks County Congressman Fitzpatrick

Ehasz targets Fitzpatrick on abortion, reproductive rights

Ehasz in her campaign is taking aim at Fitzpatrick's anti-abortion position, and his votes against the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022, which prohibits governmental restrictions on the provision of, and access to, abortion services. The bill ultimately passed the House in July.

Voters, she said, are "concerned about the loss of the right to privacy and the loss of the right to a safe and legal abortion," and that Fitzpatrick "has been given multiple opportunities" to protect a woman's right to choose.

"When we look at what Americans need to see (from our leaders) is (them) stepping up to the plate in those moments of courage," said Ehasz, "and he has let down this community on those issues, and that is what will be his legacy."

"It is something that needs to be protected on the federal level, and I am speaking as a combat vet; I gave years of my life serving this country overseas, and now I have fewer rights at home than when I left," Ehasz said. "So we must protect it at the federal level, and yes we must also protect it at the state level … in (Republican state Sen. and gubernatorial candidate) Doug Mastriano and Brian Fitzpatrick, they have both been given opportunities to protect the right to choose as elected officials, and they have both not done so, so we need to hold them accountable for their votes."

While Fitzpatrick voted against the Woman's Health Protection Act of 2022, he did vote in favor of the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022, a bill which prohibits anyone acting under state law from interfering with a person's ability to access out-of-state abortion services.

Fitzpatrick did not discuss his anti-abortion position during his editorial board meting, but after the Supreme Court's decision earlier this year to overturn Roe v. Wade, he released a statement noting that "any legislative consideration must always seek to achieve bipartisan consensus that both respects a woman’s privacy and autonomy," and also respects the sanctity of human life.

"In our community, and across America, the vast and overwhelming majority do not support rigid, single-party, all-or-nothing solutions," Fitzpatrick said in his statement. "The vast and overwhelming majority do not support complete legislative bans, nor do they support a legislative-absent Wild West 'anything-goes' scenario that would allow for the atrocities committed by Kermit Gosnell in Philadelphia. As our community, and our nation, do not support all-or-nothing approaches, nor should any representative who seeks to reflect the will of the people."

Fitzpatrick also didn't have much to say regarding Mastriano.

"I will say this: every candidate has got to own their own statements, their own votes and their own positions; I certainly will do that," Fitzpatrick said. "He's got to do it. Every senate candidate has got to do it … my colleagues endorsed him, but I didn't.

"I never met the man and never spoken to him; if he'd like to sit down I'd welcome the opportunity to ask him some questions."

'Still have a way to go' before election day

As questions persist regarding Fitzpatrick's bipartisanship, Madonna said data shows Fitzpatrick isn't in any real danger.

"Fitzpatrick is not on anyone's endangered list I've seen. The 7th, 8th and 17th districts are considered the districts being watched by most analysts," Madonna said. "You look at that and you wonder why he isn't on any endangered lists as an incumbent, and that's because most analysts think he's in good shape."

In the 7th congressional district, incumbent Susan Wild will face republican challenger Lisa Scheller. In the 8th, incumbent Matt Cartwright will face republican challenger Jim Bognet, while in the 17th, incumbent Conor Lamb will face republican Jeremy Schaffer and Independent Party candidate Walter Sluzynsky. Those districts do not span Bucks or Montgomery counties.

For subscribers:Analysis: Ehasz fundraising suggests 1st District is likely to stay red with Fitzpatrick

Madonna noted that "we still have a way to go" before Election Day, and that an improvement in the economy will benefit all Democratic candidates across the board, including Ehasz.

The bombshell that was the Supreme Court's decision on abortion will also help bolster the Democratic party in general, Madonna said.

"The abortion decision helped Democrats reinvigorate their base, which is why races closed in congressional and senate elections across the nation, and we've seen it in the special elections in Alaska and New York (that were won by Democrats).

"But there's no evidence from any analysts that shows Fitzpatrick is in danger of losing," Madonna added, mentioning that rising inflation is likewise hurting Democrats. "But we are still roughly eight weeks out and these issues are still very volatile. And what happens next nationally could impact this race."

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County congressional race focuses on bipartisanship, abortion rights