Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Rep. Tina Davis and more have received endorsements from various organizations
By Tom Waring
The Times
The Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council has endorsed freshman Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick for re-election in the 1st Congressional District.
“The continued hard work of the men and women of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council results in the infrastructure necessary to keep the entire Philadelphia metro region economically vibrant. In exchange for this massive contribution they make to our communities, I am more than proud to represent their interests in the U.S. House of Representatives — interests which include fair wages, secure benefits, safe working conditions and guaranteeing a future generation of skilled laborers through investment in training and apprenticeship programs,” he said.
Members of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council have built the vast majority of the skyscrapers and iconic buildings in the city. The unions have also made in-kind contributions of labor and materials.
John Dougherty, head of the council, wrote to Fitzpatrick, “In your short time in Congress, you have stood up time and again to defend working families on everything from prevailing wage to right to organize. Your consistent support of the labor movement through your support of training and apprenticeship programs, ensuring security for labor retirement benefits and collective bargaining has earned you the support of our members. Furthermore, your membership on the House Committee on Small Business provides our region with a strong voice in support of the working class.”
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The National Republican Congressional Committee last week released a TV ad that links Democrat Scott Wallace to a population control group whose mission is to heavily tax families with more than two children.
A Fox News report indicated that the Wallace Global Fund donated money to population control groups that have advocated taxing families “to the hilt” for “irresponsible breeding.”
The Wallace Global Fund gave $420,000 to Zero Population Growth, which is now called Population Connection. The organization has advocated limiting families to no more than two children and has blamed the white middle class for overpopulation.
The Population Connection Action Fund has endorsed Wallace. The Wallace Global Fund has also directed $20,000 to the Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy, which believes birth rates should equal death rates.
“Scott Wallace is too extreme for Pennsylvania,” said NRCC communications director Matt Gorman. “His support for population control groups has resulted in him being called the ‘anti-human’ candidate.”
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The Mechanical and Service Contractors Association of Eastern PA has endorsed Republican Brian Fitzpatrick for re-election in the 1st Congressional District.
“It is an honor to be endorsed by an organization whose purpose is to to provide products and services that are superior in quality and value through compromise that benefits both parties of interest, management and labor. My first term in the U.S. House of Representatives was characterized by a similar purpose — striving for a superior quality of life for the working families and local business owners of both Bucks and Montgomery counties, via solutions which engage bipartisan compromise. Wage equality, infrastructure and support for local businesses will continue to be amongst my top legislative priorities as I continue to reach across the aisle for solutions that provide benefits for all,” he said.
Timothy Brink, executive vice president of the group, wrote to Fitzpatrick, “In Congress, you have proven to be a reliable voice for our contractors and the working class. Your consistent support of wage equality through Davis-Bacon, federal public-private partnerships and investments in infrastructure has been second to none.”
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The Human Rights Campaign has endorsed state Rep. Helen Tai for re-election in the 178th Legislative District.
Tai said, “I am extremely proud to accept the endorsement of HRC. I applaud their efforts to ensure that people in the LGBTQ are treated fairly and able to prosper. They’ve been able to mobilize their membership and get people to the polls, playing a critical role in my own win in the special election last May.”
Tai supports enactment of the Pennsylvania Fairness Act, which would expand already-existing non-discrimination laws to protect LGBTQ people.
“We’re better than hateful or discriminatory rhetoric,” she said.
Tai, a Michigan native living in Solebury, will be holding an event with HRC in New Hope at the Raven on Sunday, Sept. 23, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The 178th Legislative District includes New Hope, Solebury, Upper Makefield, Northampton and Wrightstown.
Tai faces Republican Wendi Thomas.
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Flippable.org, a group seeking to elect progressive Democrats to Republican-held legislative seats, has endorsed state Rep. Tina Davis, who is challenging state Sen. Tommy Tomlinson, and Lauren Lareau, who is challenging state Rep. Frank Farry.
Davis is also running for re-election to her House seat.
Flippable.org has not endorsed Jimmy Lamb, the Democratic challenger to Republican Rep. Gene DiGirolamo. ••
