Contact: Anthony Campisi
Anthony@WalnutLaneStrategies.com
(732) 266-8221
Conservation Voters of PA Victory Fund to Invest Over $1.1 million to Put Pro-Environment Candidates in Control of State Legislature
Philadelphia, PA - Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania Victory Fund today announced its investment to establish a pro-environment trifecta in Pennsylvania for the first time in over 33 years. CVPA Victory Fund has invested over $1.1 million in door knocking and digital advertising towards expanding the razor-thin pro-environment majority in the State House and flipping the State Senate.
CVPA Victory Fund is focused on flipping four key seats in the state Senate:
- Senate District 6 in Bucks County, where CVPA endorsed candidate Eileen Albillar is running to unseat Sen. Frank Farry, who earned a 0% on the Pennsylvania Environmental Scorecard.
- Senate District 16 in Bucks and Lehigh Counties, where CVPA endorsed candidate Mark Pinsley is running to replace Sen. Jarrett Coleman, who earned 11% on the Pennsylvania Environmental Scorecard.
- Senate District 24 in Berks and Montgomery Counties, where CVPA endorsed candidate Chris Thomas is running against Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, who earned a 0% on the Pennsylvania Environmental Scorecard.
- Senate District 40 in Lackawanna, Monroe, and Wayne Counties, where CVPA endorsed candidate Brian Wrightson is running to stop Sen. Rosemary Brown, who earned a 0% on the Pennsylvania Environmental Scorecard.
“The State Senate has made it abundantly clear whose side they are on – and it’s not everyday Pennsylvanians. This legislative session alone, they had dozens of chances to take action – to lower electric bills, regulate AI data centers, protect drinking water, expand clean energy, strengthen voting rights, and give communities a greater voice over development. And they stood with corporations and billionaires every single time, refusing to take action,” said Molly Parzen with Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania Victory Fund. “This election, we are laser focused on putting an end to this gridlock. Pennsylvanians simply can't afford more of the same.”
Top targets for CVPA Victory Fund in the State House include defeating four incumbents who voted against commonsense regulations on AI data centers to protect Pennsylvanians: Valerie Gaydos (R-HD 44), Joe Emrick (R-HD 137), Shelby Labs (R-HD 143), and Craig Williams (R-HD 160).
Running to replace these candidates are four challengers who have made lowering the cost of utility bills, protecting public lands, investing in clean energy, and regulating data centers central to their campaigns: Hadley Haas (D-HD 44), Jeff Warren (D-HD 137), Tim Hayes (D-HD 143), and Elizabeth Moro (D-HD 160). CVPA Victory Fund is also backing Sara Agerton (D) in the open seat in House District 88 and re-electing clean water champion Brian Munroe in House District 144.
“Actions speak louder than words, and when Reps. Valerie Gaydos, Joe Emrick, Shelby Labs, and Craig Williams had the opportunity to force data centers — not ratepayers — to cover the cost of the grid upgrades, they voted no. When they had the opportunity to require data centers to source at least 32 percent of their electricity from new, in-state renewable energy by 2035, they voted no. And when they had the opportunity to require AI data centers to contribute to LIHEAP, helping low-income families manage rising energy costs, they voted no,” said Parzen. “The only way to put protections for hardworking Pennsylvanians in place and lower utility costs is to replace these politicians with leaders who will stand up to corporate special interests.”
Additionally, a portion of the digital ads will be produced by Pennsylvania-based content creator Cat Janisko of Pennsylvania Junkie.
“I love Pennsylvania. I want to see the beauty of our state protected, and I want Pennsylvania to be a place where everyone can thrive – not just get by,” said Janisko. “That’s why I’m so passionate about talking to voters about candidates who will fight to lower our utility bills, who will stand with us over enriching billionaires, and who will put regulations in place on AI data centers before they change our towns and our landscape forever.”
Digital ads will run across all eight state House and Senate districts highlighting incumbents’ voting records on data centers, utility prices, and the environment. Current ads can be viewed HERE.
CVPA Victory Fund will also partner with For Our Future to run a large-scale direct voter contact program to knock over 26,000 doors in the portions of Senate District 40 that are nested in Congressional District 8 in Northeast PA. For Our Future will be encouraging voters to turn out for Paige Cognetti who is running against Rep. Rob Bresnahan in Congressional District 8, and CVPA Victory Fund will advocate for Brian Wrightson, running against Sen. Rosemary Brown in Senate District 40.
"For Our Future has been on the ground organizing communities in NEPA and the Lehigh Valley since last summer, and we have been hearing a consistent message from grassroots activists and regular voters alike - they are upset about the rising cost of living, the data centers invading their communities, and the incumbent politicians raking in campaign contributions and stock dividends from the very industries making NEPA unaffordable,” said Ryan Matthews, Pennsylvania State Director for Four Our Future. “We are excited to join CVPA Victory Fund to make sure voters know Rep. Bresnahan's and Sen. Rosemary Brown's record on the affordability crisis."
Finally, CVPA Victory Fund will knock on 23,700 doors in Bucks County advocating for pro-environment candidates Eileen Albillar in SD 6, Mark Pinsley in SD 16, Tim Hayes in HD 143, and Rep. Brian Munroe in HD 144.