Election 2024: Democrat Ashley Ehasz For U.S. Congress

Candidates running in the Nov. 5 general election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch individually for each candidate.

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Democrat Ashley Ehasz is running for U.S. Congress in Pennsylvania's 1st District against incumbent Republican Brian Fitzpatrick.

Biographical Information

Name: Ashley Ehasz

Age: 36
Town of Residence: Bensalem Township
Education: Bachelor’s: United States Military Academy; Master’s: University of Oxford.

Position Sought: US Congress, PA-01
Are you an incumbent? No
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Occupation: Government and public sector consultant

Candidate Questions

Why are you running for Congress?

The January 6th insurrection was a turning point for me as I thought about whether or not to run for public office. I joined the Army at 17 to defend the Constitution and protect our nation from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Our current representative, Brian Fitzpatrick, voted twice against impeaching Trump after January 6th and later voted for two men for Speaker of the House (Jim Jordan, twice, and Mike Johnson) who tried to overturn votes here in Pennsylvania.

In addition, with the recent increase in the assaults on reproductive healthcare and women’s bodies, I deeply believe that PA-01 deserves a pro-choice representative. Constituents in this district are overwhelmingly pro-choice, and our current representative is vehemently anti-choice. I grew up in Pennsylvania to a single mother for most of my childhood, in a challenging home-life, watching my parents struggle with mental health and substance abuse issues. I understand the challenges that children and families in my district are facing every day, and I was given the opportunity to serve my country and defend these families abroad, while their condition worsened at home. I want to fight to defend the Constitution and give families in my community an honest opportunity to grow and succeed.

What do you see as the top issue facing the nation and how would you address it?

In Congress, I will protect reproductive rights and abortion access for all Americans. My opponent’s anti-abortion voting record, including a vote for a national abortion ban that would overturn Pennsylvania’s abortion protections, shows that he is out of touch with the needs of our district, and with most Americans. Now that Roe v. Wade is overturned, it is more important than ever to elect pro-choice women like myself, and defeat anti-choice politicians like my opponent.

Do you have any ideas on how to manage/address inflation and rising costs?

Our country has only become more expensive to live in, and yet the minimum wage still sits at $7.25/hour. The only reason I and other veterans can afford to buy our first homes is through the VA loan, but for so many Americans, we are still paid too little while the cost of living gets higher. My community deserves a representative in Congress who will fight to protect the union way of life, to lower the cost of healthcare and prescriptions, and to ensure everyone can afford to live with dignity.

What is your stance on the southern border and the immigration issue?

We must create a clearer legal immigration process in order to allow those who wish to move to the United States to do so safely and legally. This is both the right thing to do, and good for our country and its national security. I also believe in a path to citizenship for the 11.5 million individuals who have already made America their home and pose no risk to our communities, and I want to federally codify protections for DREAMers and DACA recipients to ensure that no individual is barred from fully participating in the society of the only home they’ve ever known. We must also ensure farm workers have safety protections on the job. It’s critically important to clear the immigration backlog and create pathways to citizenship.

What is your position on the wars in Ukraine and in the Middle East?

As a combat veteran, I deeply believe the United States must stand by its allies. The United States must continue to be a leader in brokering peace in Ukraine and the Middle East. What happened on October 7, 2023, was a terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas, and I believe in Israel’s right to self-defense. I support a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, a negotiated bilateral ceasefire that includes the immediate release of hostages, and increased humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.