Endorsements

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Kamala Harris

President of the United States

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Eugene DePasquale

PA Attorney General

Eugene received more then half the votes on the state committee, showcasing strong party support.

– His track record as Auditor General demonstrates a commitment to holding law violators accountable.

– With 14 years of elected roles, Eugene surpasses other candidates in experience and dedication.

– Eugene’s broad appeal positions the party for success in the general election.

– Solid commitment to LGBT rights.

– Let’s be strategic, efficient, and work smarter, not harder. Focus on supporting Eugene to avoid unnecessary division.

– Unite behind Eugene DePasquale, saving energy for the crucial general election.

– Republican funding in Montgomery County requires a clean campaign; Eugene is the candidate to achieve this.

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Malcolm Kenyatta

Auditor General

Representative Malcolm Kenyatta is a third-generation North Philadelphia native, thought leader, and legislator, currently serving in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. He earned a B.A. in Public Communications and a minor in Political Science from Temple University, a M.S. in Strategic and Digital Communications from Drexel University and completed the Harvard Kennedy School’s Executives in State and Local Government program.

He has been chosen for multiple prestigious fellowships and international delegations including: the Bertelsmann Leadership Fellow in the Digital Economy, the bipartisan Hunt/Kean Leadership Fellow in Education, and American Jewish Committee (AJC) Project Interchange.

Representative Kenyatta is a barrier-breaking public figure, becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color and one of the youngest members elected to the PA General Assembly in 2018. In 2022, he became the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color to run for the U.S. Senate in American history.

Representative Kenyatta has been a vocal proponent of protecting workers’ rights, enacting common-sense gun safety policies, and rooting out government corruption and waste. He has multiple legislative leadership roles: member of the powerful State Government Committee with oversight on state agencies and elections, Minority Chair of the Subcommittee on Campaign Finance and Elections, Minority Chair of Automation and Technology in the Committee on Commerce, and a member of the Finance Committee. Since elected, he has additionally served on Governor Tom Wolf’s Suicide Prevention Task Force, and he has been a member of the Philadelphia Delegation leadership team.

In 2020, he was chosen by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to give the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention along with a group of other ‘Rising Stars’. Representative Kenyatta appears regularly on local and national media outlets including 60 Minutes, CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News.

His political career and life have been the subject of two documentaries: an award-winning short, Going Forward and an Al Roker (Today Show)-produced feature length film, Kenyatta: Do Not Wait Your Turn. He lives in North Philadelphia with his husband Dr. Matthew Kenyatta and their dog Cleo.

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State Representatives

Ricky’s Pride proudly endorses our dedicated incumbent PA state representatives: Mary Jo Daley, Melissa Cerrato, Napoleon Jason Nelson, Greg Marcus Scott, and Joe Ciresi! In a crucial year for Montgomery County, let’s rally together to uphold proven leadership. Stay tuned for inspiring stories of their impact. On a side note, we face challenges, and your support is vital against negative forces. Together, we can make a difference!

Melissa Shusterman

State Representative District 157

Melissa Shusterman is a small business owner, wife and mother who was elected State Representative for Pennsylvania’s 157th District in 2018. Raised in Easttown, Melissa graduated from Conestoga High School in 1985, Lafayette College in 1989, then graduate school at American University in 1993.

Melissa began her campaign for the 157th District, in 2017. She was prompted to run by the old boys’ club and special interests that control Harrisburg and prevent progress on important issues in Pennsylvania from being addressed. Her slogan was “Common Sense Before Politics”. Melissa campaigned on government transparency and accountability, education equity, environmental sustainability, and gun control reform. Over the course of the campaign, Melissa knocked on tens of thousands of doors, and gained recognition and support across the county, state, and country. In November 2018, Melissa was elected to office, defeating a four-term Republican incumbent by over 4,000 votes. She was elected in a historic year for women in Pennsylvania, with women increasing their share of representation in the Pennsylvania House and Senate. She was reelected in 2020 and 2022 and is now serving for her third term.

Before running for office, Melissa worked in the video production industry. She worked for large networks like Food Network, VH1, and HGTV before returning to Pennsylvania to raise her son as a single mother. There, she started her own successful business, a video production company. Melissa’s business experience gives her a unique perspective in the legislature. Family includes husband Hans Mueller and son, Paris T. Shusterfallou.

In the legislature, Melissa serves on the Health, Judiciary, Chair of the Family Law Subcommittee, Rules & State Government Committees and Transportation. She is co-chair of both the Autism and Intellectual Disabilities Caucus and the Animal Protection Caucus.

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Jim Wertz

State Senate District 49

Jim was raised in a working class neighborhood in Reading, PA. He chose to raise his family in Erie because he sees the potential in our region, but he also understands the struggles facing families in our community.

He was the first member of his family to graduate from college, attending Edinboro University.

A union broadcaster and production manager for local Erie news, Jim Wertz knows what it takes to succeed. He founded his own production company, and he’s a teacher committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders.

Elected Chairman of the Erie County Democratic Party in 2018, Jim prioritized reaching voters across the county, including areas often ignored by candidates and campaigns. He also oversaw an increase in voter participation in every election during his time as chair.

A proven winner and problem solver with a deep understanding of local politics and a track record of building successful organizations, Jim knows Erie County and will deliver for us in the State Senate.

“I’m running for State Senate because our democracy matters, public education matters, and working families matter. Republicans in Harrisburg have shown they can’t be trusted to fight for our country, our schools, or the rights of workers to earn a living wage. I’ll always stand up for our neighbors in Erie County.”

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Mark Temons

State Senate District 31

Mark Temons (D) is running for the 31st District of the Pa. State Senate which includes parts of Cumberland and York counties.

Temons was born in Lock Haven, Clinton County, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1997 to 2000.

Temons earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Niagara University in 2000.

Temons has been involved in prison reform advocacy and has been affiliated with the Lancaster Friends Quaker Meetings and the Lancaster NAACP.

Temons is a carpenter, parent, and a community advocate with a lifelong commitment to holding government accountable.

Temons is part of Bossy Girl Leadership, a leadership development and training firm, where he works to create partnerships with local, mission-driven nonprofits to raise money for programs supporting women’s empowerment and community service.

District 31 is currently represented by Mike Regan (R). This district consists of the townships of Lower and Upper Allen, and the boroughs of Lemoyne, Mechanicsburg, New Cumberland, and Shiremanstown in Cumberland County. 

It also includes multiple parts of York County including the townships of Carroll, Dover, Manchester, Newberry, and the boroughs of Dillsburg, Dover, Lewisberry, and Manchester. York City is also part of this district. 

Temons for PA website.

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Andre D. Carroll

State Representative District 201

Andre D. Carroll was born and raised in Germantown and has organized at the state & city level for nearly a decade to make government work for us.  

He was raised by his grandmother, is a proud product of Philly Public Schools, and understands what it means to grow up in a neighborhood that’s been left behind for way too long.

Andre is the product of the war on drugs, as his father has been incarcerated since he was born and his mother has struggled with addiction since before he was born. Because of this, Andre had to step up and provide for his younger brother financially. This reality pushed Andre to get more involved in his community. Andre currently sits on the District Attorney’s “Youth Aid Panel” which was created to help juveniles avoid getting a criminal record after they commit a crime. Andre’s grandmother passed away due to lack of access to healthcare and because of this Andre worked to connect elders to quality affordable healthcare. Education is instrumental in lifting folks out of poverty, this fact pushed Andre to become an educator. 

Andre D. Carroll website.

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Denise Maris

State Representative District 76

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Denise Maris moved to Renovo in 2014 with her partner, a Renovo native and their two young children.  Denise worked as a paralegal for 15 years, working in general law including Domestic Relations, contracts, small claims court and class action suits. Seeing an opportunity to build on her Associates Degree, she began her studies at Lock Haven University in the fall of 2014.  During her time studying, Denise worked part time driving school bus for Susquehanna Transit transporting elementary school children.  Denise made sure to find time between working, being a mom and studying to get involved with several community service projects.  These projects consisted of participating in the annual Cleanscapes by helping to clean up local rivers in Clinton County, and buying gifts for needy families for the giving tree at Lock Haven University during the holidays.  In the summer of 2015, Denise helped the Ross Library with assisting seniors with their technology questions and the summer Lego Robotics program through her AmeriCorps contract.

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Upon completion of her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Denise was able to obtain a position as a Director of Human Resources at SusqueView Home, Inc.  During her employment, Denise continued with her education journey and obtained her Master’s Degree in Health Sciences with a concentration in Health Care Management.  In addition, she is a graduate of Leadership Clinton County Class of 2018, is still very active in leadership group.   On top of all this, Denise still finds the time to continue her community service passion whether it’s helping to clean up local parks with River Towns, helping to clean up local roads with Clinton County Democratic Committee, volunteering at the annual MLK day of service, and helping to organize the Salvation Army Food Pantry in Lock Haven. Denise is also a member of the Clinton County Democratic Women, and the Leadership Clinton County Alumni Association.

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When Denise saw that the people of the 76th District were not being represented as they should have been, she decided to step up. Since that time, Denise has been talking to the citizens of the district, visiting municipalities, and learning how she can help. She has a unique approach because instead of telling you what she wants, she wants to know what you need from her. She wants to know the issues that are important to the people. She believes that “If you have a problem, then we have a problem.” She wants to help find the solutions to the obstacles that our communities are facing.

Denise Maris website.

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PAST ENDORSEMENTS

2023

2022

2021

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RICKY’S PRIDE PAC has made contributions to the following advocacy organizations,
political campaigns or committees of:

Tim MacBain- North Penn School Board

“When Richard is involved in the planning of your event, details matter. Whether the task is as basic as finding the right venue, or as complex as conveying the theme of an event to attendees, Richard is the one who rolls up his sleeves and gets to work. He’ll have solutions prepared before you’ve realized theres a problem and will communicate effectively through the process. Long story short: Here’s your guy.”