Summer Lee getting vast support from elected officials, community groups

by Rob Taylor Jr., Courier Staff Writer

Summer Lee, an African American woman raised in North Braddock, opened 2019 as the first Black woman to hold an elected seat on Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives in Western Pennsylvania.

The Woodland Hills High School and Howard University graduate has been front-and-center at the fight for criminal justice reform in the state, introducing a House Bill to change the use of force policy for police officers.

She’s known for having a grassroots approach to reaching the residents in her 34th House District, those in her jurisdiction aware she’s just one phone call or door knock away from hearing their concerns.

Thus, the recent news that the Allegheny County Democratic Committee (ACDC) endorsed not Rep. Lee, but her challenger, Chris Roland, a White male and North Braddock councilman, sent shockwaves throughout the region. With the Primary Election only two months away, Rep. Lee was the only incumbent the ACDC didn’t endorse.

STATE REP. SUMMER LEE

“2nd time running. Won 1st time w/68%, increased voter turnout, supported new Dems, voted more ‘Dem’ than they do,” Rep. Lee wrote on Twitter on Feb. 16. “Now even as the incumbent, the @AlleghenyDems have refused again to endorse the only Black woman to EVER be elected from this region. Seat at the table where?”

Representative Lee then wrote on Twitter: “The Democratic party claims it wants more ‘diversity.’ Claims it respects the Black (people) who form its base. Claims it supports women leadership. Claims it trusts the Black women who propel it to victory every time. The lie detector test determined…that was a lie.”

Eileen Kelly, the ACDC chairwoman, backed the ACDC’s decision to endorse Roland and not Rep. Lee. But numerous officials have come to the backing of Rep. Lee, and the Working Families Party announced last week their endorsement of Rep. Lee.

“Rep. Summer Lee is committed to fighting for working families in Western Pennsylvania, and that is why we’re committed to fighting for her,” said Nicolas O’Rourke, organizing director for the Pennsylvania Working Families Party, in a statement. “We need allies in Harrisburg who support raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, who care about fighting climate change in our backyard, and who run for office because they genuinely care about the communities they serve, not just their high-dollar donors.”

Erin Kramer, executive director of the progressive group One Pennsylvania, also expressed her and the organization’s support of Rep. Lee. “One PA members knocked on thousands of doors in 2018 to support Summer Lee because of her clear vision for Western Pa. In the short time she’s been in Harrisburg, she has established a track record of alignment with our members’ values. Summer makes sure that underserved and under-resourced communities in Allegheny County get the resources and representation they need to thrive. Our members are headed back into their endorsement process soon and we will only support candidates who are accountable to the people and not corporate interests.”

Labor unions such as SEIU HCPA, SEIU 32BJ and SEIU State Council have endorsed Rep. Lee. “We will not let such a champion of everyday working people get pushed out of office,” said Gabe Morgan, vice president of 32BJ SEIU for Pennsylvania and Delaware, in a statement. “Rep. Summer Lee is committed to making sure that workers across this state have the right to organize and join a union, and that workers get fair wages and strong contracts. 32BJ will knock on thousands of doors to ensure Rep. Lee returns to the Pennsylvania state House.”

Locally, elected officials Sara Innamorato, Jake Wheatley, Ed Gainey, Lindsey Williams and Austin Davis have publicly endorsed and supported Rep. Lee.

“I have had the pleasure of working with her for the past year, and while we don’t agree on every issue, she has been a strong advocate in the community she represents,” Rep. Davis told the New Pittsburgh Courier, Feb. 24, “and I want to continue working with her in the next legislative session.”

 

(ABOUT THE TOP PHOTO: STATE REP. SUMMER LEE)

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