Organization Helped Elect over 100 Scientists at the State and Local Levels in 2020
March 15, 2021
PHILADELPHIA — Today, after helping to elect over 100 scientists at the state and local levels during the previous campaign cycle, 314 Action Fund announced its endorsement of nine local science candidates. From mayor to board of trustees, these public health professionals, scientists, and researchers are campaigning to ensure science is central to their communities’ policymaking.
“Public servants with STEM backgrounds are needed at every level of government to fight for facts and make sure that problems are tackled with evidence-based solutions,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, President of 314 Action. “National crises can be averted with smart, local action. These nine STEM candidates will fight for science-based policies in their communities across the country.”
The full slate of endorsements is as follows:
- Chaundra Bishop, Illinois, Urbana City Council, Ward 5 (Public Health Professional)
- Bryan Cole, Massachusetts, Milford Planning Board (Electrical Engineer)
- Yvonne Spicer, Massachusetts, Mayor of Framingham (Technology and Engineering Educator)
- Renee Howell, New York, Village of Tuckahoe Board of Trustees (Molecular Biologist)
- Gavi Begtrup, Ohio, Mayor of Cincinnati (Physicist)
- Ana Sandoval, Texas, San Antonio City Council, District 7 (Chemical Engineer and Environmental Scientist)
- James Lewis, Virginia, Alexandria City Council (Biologist)
- Patrick Heck, Wisconsin, Madison Common Council, District 2 (Meteorologist and Atmospheric Scientist)
- Regina Vidaver, Wisconsin, Madison Common Council, District 5 (Biologist)
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314 Action Fund is powered by a grassroots community of nearly six million people working to elect scientists, doctors, and STEM professionals who will use science and facts to address our most pressing issues like climate change and health care. In 2018 and 2020, we played a pivotal role in flipping the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, electing eleven Democratic scientists to federal office, as well as over 100 to key legislative districts. In 2021 and 2022, 314 Action Fund will continue working to elect science leaders and defeat climate deniers in Congress and legislatures across the country.