Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
For immediate release
April 26, 2018
SWARTHMORE COLLEGE DEMS ENDORSE MARY GAY SCANLON FOR CONGRESS IN PA-5.
Last night, the Swarthmore College Democrats (SwatDems) Executive Board unanimously voted to endorse Mary Gay Scanlon for Congress in Pennsylvania’s newly-redrawn 5th Congressional District. Scanlon, a Swarthmore resident, has spent her career fighting for children and families, as an attorney for the Education Law Center of Philadelphia, the Pro Bono Counsel for Ballard Spahr, and co-chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Commission on Children at Risk. Scanlon is a strong progressive, committed to issues including universal health care, increasing environmental protection, and advancing LGTBQ rights (a more comprehensive list of her issue stances and policy plans can be found here). Scanlon faces nine other candidates in the Democratic primary on May 15th. Secretary of Communications Calla Bush ’20 says of Scanlon, “she is progressive on all issues but at risk of losing to a lesser candidate due to the number of people running splitting votes. Our endorsement would be meaningful to her race.” Secretary of Outreach Dylan Clairmont ’21 highlighted Scanlon’s connection to the county and ability to connect with the unique needs of each of its parts. Looking ahead to the general election, Sam Wagner ’21 identified Scanlon as the “best candidate…to take on [presumptive Republican nominee] Pearl Kim in the general election.”
Note: SwatDems President Ben Stern ’20 recused himself from the vote because he is a paid staff member for Scanlon for Congress.
Photo courtesy of Scanlon for Congress.
What are Scanlon’s foreign policy positions?
Particularly curious about Yemen, Korea, Venezuela, and Brazil.
I believe Mary Gay Scanlon has the best of all progressive stances, and that she has set the paradigm that her rivals have since espoused to emulate, covertly, while neglecting to mention her long-established agenda that these opponents wish to claim as their own. I think she is tough, experienced, and, as Ed Rendell says, “Donald Trump’s worst nightmare.” I advise voting for her in the May 15th Primary. I have reviewed her Democratic rivals, and Mary Gay Scanlon is the real candidate who will easily beat Pearl Kim in the General Eletion come November.