Hi John,
I’m Summer Lee, a Pennsylvania state legislator and lifelong resident of the North Braddock and Swissvale neighborhoods here in the heart of the 18th District.
Today, I am announcing my campaign for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 18th. Launch day is especially critical, so I need to ask up front:
Will you join our campaign for Congress on Day One? Sign your name now to say you want to be part of this movement.
Add your name »
Let’s talk about why I’m running.
I was raised by a single mother who worked multiple jobs to keep our family afloat. I know what it’s like for a young family to struggle to get by in a tough economy.
Growing up in North Braddock, the air was thick with pollution from the Mon Valley steel mills. My neighbors and I have seen firsthand how corporations will choose their own wealth over our health, and put profits over people — forcing communities like mine to rely on jobs that make us sick, while making us believe we had no other choice.
When I went to college — like many kids from my neighborhood — I didn’t have extra money to afford my tuition. Instead, I took on student debt that I still carry to this day. It’s affected every decision I’ve made since.
After law school, I came home and led the successful campaign to unseat local school board members who failed to address repeated incidents of police and faculty violence against students at my old high school. I realized my community was being left behind by the politicians we elected. So I decided to stand up for my community and run for State Representative, winning with nearly 70% of the vote against a 20-year incumbent.
John, my lived experience growing up here is exactly why I’m running for Congress now. Politicians always talk about how they’re for families like mine. But they don’t act with the urgency that our crises demand — because change doesn’t have to be today when you don’t live in the struggles of today.
We need elected officials who don’t just talk the talk. We need ones who’ll fight the fight — for environmental justice, union jobs, and racial equity.
It won’t be easy, and we won’t be successful overnight. But if we build a big grassroots movement that reaches every corner of our district and beyond, I know we can finally win on key priorities like a Green New Deal, a living wage, Medicare for All, and justice reform.
With our current congressman retiring, this is a wide open primary. We know we will need a lot of resources to run a competitive campaign. But I intend to run this campaign the grassroots way, without taking a dime from corporate PACs.
Today is our official launch day, and we need your help. The amount of online support we get in these first 48 hours is absolutely critical for demonstrating early momentum. Can you join our campaign today to become one of our very first supporters? Every single name we add today will show how strong this grassroots campaign will be.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for putting your faith in me. It’s an honor to be in this movement with you.
Rep. Summer Lee
Candidate for Pennsylvania’s 18th District
PAID FOR BY SUMMER LEE FOR CONGRESS
