Nation’s Premier Pro-Science Political Organization Has Endorsed Fifty-Three State and Local Science Candidates So Far This Cycle
September 14, 2021
PHILADELPHIA — Today, 314 Action Fund announced its endorsement of seven STEM candidates running for state and local offices across the United States. From supervisory boards to city hall, these scientists are campaigning on a commitment to make science and facts central to policymaking in their communities. The announcement of this slate follows 314 Action Fund’s earlier endorsement of fifty-three additional state and local science candidates this cycle.
“Strong science candidates are needed at every level of government to fight back against the GOP’s anti-reality war on science, which is why we’re thrilled to endorse this slate of incredible scientists running for state and local offices,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, president of 314 Action. “Whether it’s making sure municipalities are responding to the pandemic in a way that lines up with the facts to finding innovative ways to combat climate change at the local level, every community is better equipped to tackle its issues with scientists at the table. We’re proud to support these STEM professionals in their campaigns to put science above politics.”
Today’s new slate of endorsements for state and local races is as follows (asterisk denotes incumbent):
Massachusetts
- Justin Klekota, Somerville City Council, At-Large (Medical Researcher)
Michigan
- Dr. Ajay Raman, Novi Mayor (Anesthesiologist)
New York
- John Deer, Manlius Town Supervisor (Computer Scientist)
Ohio
- Ukeme Awakessien Jeter, Upper Arlington City Council (Mechanical Engineer)
- Kristin Malhotra, Deerfield Township Trustee (Chemical Engineer)*
Pennsylvania
- Rob Myers, Derry Township Supervisor (Civil and Environmental Engineer)
Utah
- Dr. Amy Hawkins, Salt Lake City Council, District 5 (Biochemist)
314 Action Fund is committed to building a bench of strong STEM candidates at the state and local levels who may pursue higher office in the future. In 2020, 314 Action Fund committed $1 million to elect scientists running for state legislative offices across the country in a partnership with the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee and Democratic legislative caucuses. In 2022, 314 Action Fund will aim to spend $50 million to elect scientists across all levels of government, with initial targets of seven U.S. Senate races, forty U.S. House races, and twenty-one statewide races.
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314 Action Fund is powered by a grassroots community of over 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. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, electing eleven Democratic scientists to federal office, as well as over 100 to state and local offices. 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.