Ann Marie Mitchell Working To Flip Local District

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If you follow Ann Marie Mitchell as she knocks on doors to talk to voters, you’re sure to hear about how she grew up. On the campaign trail, Mitchell mentions her father, who escaped post-WWII Europe, and took multiple jobs as a teacher and security guard or her mother got involved in the local PTA. Mitchell was raised in a working-class family, centered on the values of hard work and giving back to the community. “My parents were like many parents in America who worked hard so they could give their children better lives” Mitchell says, explaining how her upbringing taught her the importance of getting involved locally.

Mitchell is running for State Representative in the 178th district, against incumbent Wendi Thomas. Before Trump was elected, the 178th was a longtime Republican stronghold, but shifting demographics, changing attitudes about President Trump, and the Republican controlled Pennsylvania State House’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic have local and state political analysts predicting a close race here on Election Day.

As Mitchell meets voters at their doors, over the phone, or at socially-distant events, it’s clear that the voters of the 178th have some serious concerns. Sparky Morrison, a veteran and retired health care worker, says she’s supporting Mitchell because she trusts her on health care issues.

“COVID-19 has to be the top issue for me” Morrison says, “When I found out Wendi Thomas had voted to reopen Pennsylvania before we had testing or protective equipment for our schools and businesses, it really concerned me.” Mitchell says this is a refrain she hears often from the voters she speaks to. “This is the number one issue. People want a Representative that will take a safe and balanced approach to reopening our region – someone who will be guided by science instead of politics” Mitchell says.

While COVID-19 has understandably dominated the paid advertising from both Mitchell and Thomas, there are still a number of other issues driving voters to the polls. For example, front and center in Mitchell’s campaign is her push to keep families safe, as priority that comes from her experience as a survivor of gun violence.

“I can still remember the bullet holes in the wall of our home” Mitchell says, explaining that she was motivated to run against Thomas after Thomas advocated for arming Bucks County teachers. “No one should have to experience that fear, whether in their home, in a classroom, or out in public.”

Gun issues have emerged as a major issue in the campaign, as Mitchell has exposed Thomas as an extremist who would put more guns in schools and who chose to attend a campaign fundraiser for herself in 2018 instead of a community meeting focused on keeping students safe.

“It makes me question [Thomas’] priorities” says Ali Glickman, a resident of Solebury. “At the end of the day, I want a representative who cares as much as I do about keeping my kids safe, and someone who made it clear they prioritized our safety wouldn’t have to worry so much about getting re-elected.”

Political pundits will tell you that as goes Bucks County, so goes the nation. And understandably this competitive race in the heart of Bucks County has drawn the attention of local and national groups, who see the district as a key indicator of how the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania will vote. This competitive race in Bucks County has become expensive, and while Wendi Thomas’ campaign is funded by big oil and gas companies, Mitchell’s campaign is largely funded by ordinary working people, including healthcare workers and teachers. Her average contribution is $40.

“At the end of the day, I ran to give back to the community that made me who I am today” said Mitchell, reflecting on her reasons for jumping into the race. “While COVID-19 has radically changed how we live and work and recovering from the health and economic hits we’ve all taken must be our priority, the pandemic has shown us that we need to continue to fight for what’s most important - safe schools, clean drinking water, and a brighter future for our children.”

Go to VotesPA.com to find your polling place and learn more about the upcoming election.

Paid for by Friends of Anne Marie Mitchell.

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