Pennsylvania’s first Black Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joins the ranks of a growing number of Pennsylvania Democrats and organizations in support of Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie’s challenge to unseat incumbent Republican Brian Fitzpatrick in next year’s midterm elections.
Harvie hopes PA 01 congressional voters will send him to represent them in Washington D.C., instead of Fitzpatrick, which would end the Fitzpatrick family’s decades-long grip on the seat. But first Harvie must win the Democratic primary in May where he likely will face Rob Strickler and Tracy Hunt.
“This endorsement is the latest show of momentum behind Harvie after recent polling shows him tied 41-41 with Brian Fitzpatrick,” a Harvie campaign press release said.
Davis announced the endorsement on Wednesday citing Harvie’s strong record of bipartisan leadership and his lifelong commitment to standing up for working families.
“Bob Harvie has spent his career delivering for the people of Bucks County – Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike,” Davis said. “With a bipartisan voting record of over 90%, Bob has proven he can bring people together to get things done. I know he’ll take that same common-sense approach to Washington to fight for working families, protect good-paying jobs and make life more affordable for Pennsylvanians.”
Growing momentum for Harvie’s campaign was reflected in recent polling which revealed the Bucks County Commissioner to be tied in the race.
The poll also said Fitzpatrick, who has not held any in person town halls in more than eight years, to be “underwater” with voters before the official campaign season begins. Fitzpatrick has roughly 32% approving of his performance and 47% of those polled disapproving (-15%) of his performance.
Harvie enters the race with name recognition, a positive public service record and “high favorability among voters –26% said they approve of him, while only 17% disapprove (+9%). A whopping 57% of likely voters in the district want to see Fitzpatrick do more to stand up to Trump,” the press release said.
“I’m honored to have Lt. Gov. Davis’s endorsement, because he understands that we need fighters who will deliver real results to drive down costs for Pennsylvania families,” Harvie said.
Harvie has been supported by a variety of grassroots organizations and earned public endorsements or is backed by:
- Rep. Madeleine Dean
- Rep. Chris Deluzio
- Former Congressman Matt Cartwright
- Bucks County Democratic Chair Sen. Steve Santarsiero,
- Montgomery County Democratic Chair Jason Salus
- Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia
- Montgomery County Commissioners Neil Makhija and Jamila Winder
- Every Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate and State House delegation representing PA-01
- Backed by The Voter Protection Project and Transit Workers Union Local 234.
“Austin and I share a belief that the government should work for everyone, not just the wealthy or well-connected. In Congress, I’ll continue to partner with the Shapiro-Davis Administration to deliver for Bucks and Montgomery counties,” Harvie said.
