Poto credit: FAVPNG.com
|
The radicalization of the Republican Party has certainly changed our political discourse. Unfortunately, what we once believed to be far-right conspiracy theorists and outliers of conservative thought are now the mainstream of Republican political thinking. While the radicalization of the Republican Party is obvious to many, not everyone has caught on. That is why it is critical to call out Republican candidates and officials for the extremists they have become. We cannot allow the upcoming election to be a referendum on President Biden, inflation or any other issue. We must help voters see the election is about making a choice between the extremist Republican grievance agenda and commonsense policies and government. To that end today, I am calling out my opponent, Gail Newman, the Republican nominee for State Representative in the 167th District. I am calling her out for what she is saying and, just as importantly, not saying. For example: Gail Newman supports defunding public education. In her social media, Ms. Newman proclaims, “I am in favor of all school options, all private and charter schools.” She adds, “I support significant state subsidies following the student.” The support of public funding for charter schools along with vouchers “following the student” is in essence, defunding public schools. Parents who don’t want to send their children to public schools should have every right to make other choices. But they should not expect tax dollars meant for public schools to subsidize charter schools, especially for-profit charter schools. I am proud to have the endorsement of the Pennsylvania State Education Association and proud to stand with them in opposition to school vouchers and more funding for charter schools. Gail Newman opposes subsidizing the development of clean energy technologies. On her Facebook page, Ms. Newman states, “There’s nothing wrong with expanding renewable energy sources…However serious problems are caused when government starts using taxpayer resources to subsidize or incentivize these expansions.” It appears Ms. Newman favors using taxpayer dollars to subsidize for-profit charter schools but opposes using taxpayer dollars to expedite the growth of clean energy solutions. I enthusiastically support funding alternative energy projects. I believe in the science of climate change and recognize it as an existential threat to our planet. I also believe the development of clean energy alternatives will create thousands of family-sustaining jobs in Pennsylvania. I am honored to have the endorsement of the Sierra Club and Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania and to be named by them as an Environmental Champion. Gail Newman’s deafening silence on abortion rights is telling. I would happily share with you Ms. Newman’s position on abortion rights if she had one. There is no mention of abortion rights on her website or in her social media. Even if she supports abortion rights, it is meaningless. She would become part of the Republican majority and would assuredly vote for Republican leaders who are extreme in their opposition to reproductive health freedom and who control the legislative agenda in Harrisburg. There is likely no issue that separates me from my opponent more. I am the primary sponsor in the Pennsylvania House of the bill to codify Roe v. Wade in Pennsylvania law and I prominently feature my endorsements from Planned Parenthood and Emily’s List on my website and social media pages. Birds of a feather… There are numerous issues Ms. Newman does not discuss. Perhaps we can deduce where she may stand on topics such as abortion, commonsense gun reform, free and fair elections and more by seeing what Republican officials she embraces in her social media. One does not have to dig very far to see multiple posts featuring Christian Nationalist and election-denier Doug Mastriano and celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz. I am not alone in my belief that Mastriano and Oz are too extreme for Pennsylvania. Ms. Newman’s embrace of these radicalized Republicans suggests she is too extreme for the voters in my district. Thanks for reading, Kristine |