CHICAGO – People’s Action is endorsing five candidates in Tuesday’s primary elections in Idaho and Pennsylvania.
People’s Action is a progressive, multiracial, working-class coalition of more than a million people and 48 member organizations across 30 states.Endorsed candidates pledge to implement the People’s Action Protest to Power Platform and advocate for a bold racial and economic justice agenda.
In Idaho, People’s Action joins United Action for Idaho in endorsing Paulette Jordan for governor. If elected, Jordan would be the first Native American governor in the U.S. and the first woman governor of Idaho. She has served two terms in the Idaho House of Representatives.
In Pennsylvania, People’s Action joins Keystone Progress and Reclaim Philadelphia in endorsing three candidates for U.S. Congress: Scott Wallace (District 1), Jess King (District 11) Greg Edwards (District 7), and Elizabeth Fiedler, running for State Representative (District 184).
“I am honored to receive the endorsement from United Action for Idaho, an organization that is as dedicated as I am to lifting up the voices of all Idahoans,” said Jordan. “I am committed to the People’s Action platform and honored to receive endorsement from a powerful national people’s network committed to realizing justice for all people and to building a democracy that leaves no one behind, no one out.”
In Pennsylvania, bold, progressive candidates are running in races that have gone uncontested for years. Aggressive challengers to the status quo have stepped up in every part of the state.
“For us, it’s about outcomes in people’s lives, not just what happens on election day,” said Daniel Doubet, executive director of Keystone Progress. “A ‘blue wave’ doesn’t matter if those who win fail to use their power to confront the crises people face.”
The opportunity to bring change to places long held by conservatives invigorates candidates like Pennsylvania’s Jess King.
“We know health care is a right, not a privilege. We will pass Medicare for All. We will work with small businesses to raise the minimum wage so that people who work full time aren’t in poverty. It’s us against the wealthy – and we are fighting to build an America that works for all of us,” said King.
People’s Action has also endorsed governor candidates Cathy Glasson of Iowa, Ben Jealous of Maryland, David Garcia of Arizona and Chris Giunchigliani of Nevada. People’s Action will back hundreds of candidates in 2018 for governor, congress, legislature, and municipal offices.
“These are bold candidates who will stand up to corporate power to build an economy that advances racial justice and is owned by all of us, not by the elite,” said Ryan Greenwood, director of Movement Politics for People’s Action. “Our member organizations nationwide are building a movement that wields people power to defeat concentrated wealth.”
United Action for Idaho organizes for power, democracy and change. We are committed to advancing social, economic and environmental justice in Idaho by advocating for policies and people who champion real, systemic change in the state.
Keystone Progress is Pennsylvania’s largest and most effective progressive organization, focused on communicating a progressive vision for Pennsylvania.
Reclaim Philadelphia builds power for people across the city. In a political world flooded with corporate money, it is dedicated to amplifying the voices of Philadelphians.