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Ann Marie Mitchell sees keeping communities safe as priority

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Democrat Ann Marie Mitchell of Northampton is running for the state House of Representatives from Pennsylvania’s 178th district which covers New Hope, Solebury, Northampton, Upper Makefield and Wrightstown.

She faces incumbent Republican Wendi Thomas, also of Northampton.

Mitchell and her husband, Don, have resided in the township for 20 years, and are the parents of two Council Rock public school graduates, who now attend Temple University and Barnard College. In 2019, she ran unsuccessfully for the Northampton Board of Supervisors.

As the granddaughter of a survivor of domestic violence, she states, “Keeping our communities safe” is a priority and “right now that’s not what we are getting out of Harrisburg.

“Our current representative is completely out of touch with our community. She voted with the most extreme members of her party to put guns in our schools and put our children and our first responders at risk. Those are not Bucks values.”

Among Mitchell’s endorsements is one from CeaseFire PA, an anti gun violence organization.

Another safety issue of concern for her is HB 2787 which proposes local governments should have control over determining the play and audience of school sports.

“Republicans in Harrisburg voted to recklessly reopen all businesses before it was safe. I would oppose any legislation that threatens the health and safety of Pennsylvania’s children.

“I favor keeping our communities safe. I believe the highest priorities for our leaders in Harrisburg should be keeping our communities safe, and unfortunately that’s not what we’re seeing.”

As someone who has been in the the workforce since the age of 14, Mitchell notes a complete shutdown of businesses could be avoided by a “comprehensive, balanced and responsible approach of tackling coronavirus, ensuring essential workers and first responders have protective equipment they need and expanding coronavirus testing to ensure that Pennsylvanians are able to safely get back to work and so they can remain at work.”

She also supports state funding for small businesses, working people and their families.

“Republicans in Harrisburg have not been working for us. Instead my opponent voted to cut support for our most vulnerable, voting against support for even pregnant women and our most vulnerable veterans. We need a new majority so we can focus on the important work of building Bucks and Pennsylvania back,” she said.

Questioned as to whether there is a solution to eviction problems where real estate owners need money to survive and tenants need to be housed, she suggested “the state can make CARES (Act) funding available to Pennsylvanians who are owners and to tenants alike.

Mitchell has 25 years experience as an attorney. She earned a scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated from the Wharton School of Business with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics and a concentration in Finance. She later earned her Juris Doctor from The University of Pennsylvania Law School.

On the issue of climate change, she plans to “work to overturn the Harrisburg cuts to our Department of Environmental Protection, so we can enforce protection of our water supply, and work with companies who want to do the right thing.”

“Our current state rep took tens of thousands from oil and gas, and then voted to give them a tax break. Who is she representing when she does that?...Climate change is real.”

Mitchell has endorsements from the state Sierra Club and Conservation Voters of PA.

Among other endorsements are those from Planned Parenthood of PA, the National Organization for Women (NOW) of PA, Emily’s List and Plumbers Local 690.


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