Nation’s Premier Pro-Science Political Organization Has Endorsed Sixty-Eight Statewide, State Legislative, and Municipal Candidates for 2022 So Far
March 31, 2022
PHILADELPHIA — Today, 314 Action Fund announced its endorsement of Delaware State Treasurer Colleen Davis as she runs for re-election. A former physician assistant, State Treasurer Davis was first elected in 2018 and has since used her STEM background to advocate for fact-first policies that ensure the financial security of the state of Delaware. Five years on from its first candidate training on March 14, 2017 (Pi Day), 314 Action is proud to celebrate over 200 victories for candidates at the statewide, state legislative, and municipal levels. 314 Action Fund has endorsed sixty-eight STEM candidates for statewide, state legislative, and municipal offices so far for the 2022 cycle.
“Delaware State Treasurer Colleen Davis is a STEM trailblazer who serves as a role model for scientists considering getting off the sidelines and into the fight for evidence-based policies,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, president of 314 Action. “Since her election, Colleen has stayed committed to making sure the state’s financial planning addresses the needs of Delawareans through data-driven policies. We are proud to stand with her as she campaigns for re-election.”
“The analytical thinking I needed as a Physician Assistant, and the business knowledge required as a consultant to medical institutions are the same skills I use today,” said Delaware State Treasurer Colleen Davis. “I’m honored to receive the endorsement of 314 Action which understands the importance of detailed, systematic, and conclusive reasoning in both service and science.”
314 Action Fund is committed to building a bench of strong STEM candidates at the statewide, state legislative, and municipal 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.
On Pi Day 2022 (3/14), 314 Action launched its new statewide program to revolutionize the recruitment and training of STEM candidates for public office across the country. The program, which targets potential state legislative and municipal candidates using layered digital, mail, and SMS communications in critical legislative districts, is now active in its first phase in New Hampshire and will yield data that will contribute to the development of expanded programming in other states in future campaign cycles.
ABOUT STATE TREASURER COLLEEN DAVIS:
Treasurer Colleen Davis has earned a reputation as a principled innovative and practical servant, focused on some of the most important issues confronting Delaware; economy, fiscal policy and wellbeing. Her commitment to making a difference for everyday Delawareans has earned Colleen praise from Delaware Business Times, Del-One Federal Credit Union, AARP which recently proclaimed that Colleen is a leader in finding “win-win solutions” to emerging fiscal challenges.
Serving on the Board of Pardons, Cash Management Policy Board, State Employee Benefits Committee, Delaware Volunteer Fire Council Fund Committee, Agricultural Land Preservation Board, Plans Management Board, Government Efficiency and Accountability Board and Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council Colleen is uniquely positioned to help nurture economic innovation and make Delaware more competitive in the global market.
In 2021, Treasurer Davis developed and proposed a plan to secure dignity in retirement for all Delaware workers, called Delaware EARNS. She has supported workers alongside her fellow Treasurers signing on to a letter to executives across several industries to reform and redesign the workspace for improved COVID-19 protections. Colleen has sent thousands of payments to unemployed workers during the tragic pandemic hardships that came unexpectedly to so many households in Delaware.
As a consultant for major hospital systems, she understands what it takes to develop sustainability amid an ever-changing economic landscape. Colleen gained an understanding of the complexities of creating economic growth on a large scale, realizing efficiencies, improving quality-of-care, and increasing viability – all while never losing focus on meeting the needs of the public.
Colleen understands personal risk as she has volunteered on a variety of local, national and international service trips, most recently in 2015. After Nepal was struck by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in April 2015, she went as a Physician Assistant to help people affected near Kathmandu. She was also seen on the frontlines at food distribution sites during the pandemic with a strong desire to meet so many basic and unmet needs.
Colleen’s personal background and professional experience has allowed her to uniquely understand the challenges faced by people and stakeholders of all backgrounds. As Treasurer, she has cultivated honest, trusting relationships that allow her to serve as a conduit between Delawareans and policy makers to ensure our financial planning puts people first.
Because Delawareans deserve a budget and economy that are strong long-term, but also protect the taxpayer and prioritize the interests of Main Street over Wall Street. That’s what Colleen has fought for during her several years in office and Delaware needs her now more than ever.
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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 statewide, state legislative, and municipal 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.