“ChangePA was the game-changer for my campaign.”
— Rep. Joe Webster
These are challenging political times. But you don't have to feel paralyzed! Your donation to ChangePA makes a real impact because Pennsylvania House races receive such little attention and such little financial support.
ChangePA does a rigorous job of vetting of candidates. We target the best Democratic prospects with significant donations early so they can take the lead. Be part of our effort!
We helped flip control of the Pennsylvania House to a one-vote Democratic majority. Join us in 2024 to protect that fragile majority--and to increase it!
ChangePA
TIME FOR CHANGE
Hear Rep. Jennifer O’Mara explain how she flipped a traditionally GOP seat.
“ChangePA’s support gave me the financial boost I needed—to spend my time at the doors, listening and speaking with people, instead of having to ask for money.”
— Rep. Melissa Shusterman
See a montage of a "day in the life" of
Pennsylvania State House candidates.
Who We Are
Time for Change
We are a Political Action Committee dedicated to protecting and expanding the Democratic majority in the Pennsylvania State House.
We find and support strong candidates in Republican-held districts that have the potential to be flipped. Using a rigorous candidate selection process, ChangePA is able to contribute where funds will make the biggest difference and at the time the candidates most need help. We have no paid staff, so every dollar we raise above expenses goes to candidates.
ChangePA focuses on State House races because they receive less public attention and less funding than elections to the U.S. Congress—so ChangePA’s contributions have a big impact.
Great Job ChangePA!
We flipped the House! Now let’s expand our majority!
We didn’t do it alone, but 16 Democratic legislators were elected with your help through ChangePA.
In 2022, Democrats ended 12 years of Republican power and achieved a one-seat majority in the State House. Eight ChangePA-supported challengers were elected along with all seven of the incumbents ChangePA supported.
“ChangePA helped us to level the playing field. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart!”
— Rep. Danielle Friel Otten
Here is a map of the legislators your contributions helped to elect to change the Pennsylvania State House.
The 2024 election is less than three months away. Now more than ever we need your help to stop the extremist Republican agenda.
Thank you for your support! You made the difference!!!
Donations by check should be made out to ChangePA and mailed to
ChangePA, 3006 Foxx Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19144.
Laslo Boyd, Ph.D.
Deb Ciamacca
Anne Hagele
Margaret Harris
Joyce Norden
Kim Oxholm
Linda Schleifer
Dan Wofford
Hon. Flora Wolf (Ret.)
Events
Inside Harrisburg
Do you want to know what’s really going on in the Pennsylvania State Capitol?
Join us for Inside Harrisburg.
The latest installment of our live online series featured six new State House candidates: Eleanor Breslin, Brad Chambers, Megan Kocher, Cristian Luna, Stefanie Rafes, and Meriam Sabih. They had a great conversation about who they are, the challenges they have faced, the successes they have had, the sacrifices they are making, and the state of their races. If you missed it, above is a link to a recording of it on our YouTube channel!
Previous installments have included discussions with State House candidates Elizabeth Moro, Anna Payne, and Anna Thomas and with State Representatives Lisa Borowski, Paul Friel, Brian Munroe, Danielle Friel Otten, and Tarah Probst. Watch the video below for highlights!
Fleisher Art Memorial Parties
Our June 11, 2023 party also took place at the Fleisher Art Memorial. Over 100 supporters of ChangePA came together. They were joined by our special guests, some of the state representatives who they helped to elect:
Lisa Borowski
Heather Boyd
Tim Brennan
Paul Friel
Liz Hanbidge
Joe Webster
We celebrated the remarkable achievement of having helped Democrats to win a majority in the Pennsylvania House.
That milestone was definitely worthy of a celebration! First, we stopped the extremist Republican agenda in its tracks. What's more, even with only a slim majority, important bills that previously had not received any consideration passed the chamber and were sent on to the Senate.
The path to protecting and expanding the Democratic majority starts right now. Please think about what commitment you are willing to make to support that goal for our 2024 campaign.
From the Archives: Our December 2019 Campaign Kickoff Event
ChangePA’s 2024 Spring Party took place at the Fleisher Art Memorial on May 5th. An incredible crowd of people joined us to enjoy a great party and to celebrate the 16 State Representatives who together we helped to victory since 2018.
We were honored to have members of the U.S. Congress Rep. Madeleine Dean and Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon speak about the importance of protecting our one-vote Democratic majority--and making it grow!
We also had a terrific turnout from the State Representatives we have supported in previous elections, including: Lisa Borowski, Missy Cerrato, Nancy Guenst, Liz Hanbidge, Danielle Friel Otten, and Joe Webster.
And we were thrilled to announce the first three ChangePA contributions to candidates running in 2024: $20,000 each to State Rep. Brian Munroe, to Anna Payne, and to Anna Thomas.
Candidates
2024 Candidates
ChangePA's Selection Committee has conducted a rigorous evaluation process for the 2024 Pennsylvania State House elections. The committee has identified districts that, by the data, appear to be competitive and good candidates who fit their districts and have strong strategies for winning.
So far ChangePA has supported 11 terrific candidates:
Candidate Cohort
In 2020, ChangePA established a “Candidate Cohort” as a meeting place for Pennsylvania State House candidates to get together, discuss their individual races, figure out strategy, and talk with each other about the extremely difficult task of running for office.
During the 2020, 2022, and 2024 election cycles, the Candidate Cohort bi-weekly meetings have brought together 10 to 14 candidates, most of whom have been running for office for the first time. They face the challenge of managing a campaign staff, raising money, crafting a campaign message, determining a field plan, and recruiting and training an army of volunteers. The ChangePA Candidate Cohort provides needed mentorship, support, and training – and a confidential space for campaign questions and concerns.
Here are a few thoughts about the Candidate Cohort from our 2024 candidates:
“The ChangePA Candidate Cohort has been an invaluable asset to my campaign, providing essential emotional support, strategic guidance and an incredibly strong network of like-minded individuals dedicated to creating positive change. This group allows for candid, honest and judgment-free discussion, which is crucial for promoting collaboration and encouraging creativity. I have found that the ChangePA Candidate Cohort offers a unique and powerful opportunity for candidates to come together, share their experiences and support one another in a safe setting. By sharing stories, struggles and triumphs with others facing similar challenges, we feel less alone, more understood and better equipped to navigate the rigors of the campaign trail. Without question, I would strongly recommend the ChangePA Candidate Cohort to other candidates.”
-- Bill Petulla, Candidate for State Representative, HD-28
“The ChangePA cohort has given me much needed support and has been there to listen to me and guide me when I felt alone. It has given us a friendly place to vent, learn, improve, and also to foster friendships with our fellow inspiring candidates and learn from experts but also from one another... I am so grateful for this amazing group!"
-- Meriam Sabih, Candidate for State Representative, HD-131
“The ChangePA Candidate Cohort continues to be an invaluable resource for me as a candidate for State Representative in a more-red-than-blue purple district during this high-stakes election cycle. The collective wisdom and insight offered by the leadership team, combined with the shared experiences of my fellow candidates, provides an unmatched level of practical support and energizing inspiration. When I mentioned the distance between houses in the ‘walkable’ turfs in my rural district, the leadership team suggested I use an electric scooter to make my canvassing more efficient. Not only is the scooter saving me time, but voters get a real kick out of how I’m getting from door to door and it is becoming a memorable part of my brand.”
-- Eleanor Breslin, Candidate for State Representative, HD-143
ChangePA is the only private group in Pennsylvania that focuses solely on flipping and keeping the Pennsylvania State House Democratic. The Candidate Cohort has been one of our biggest successes. It has given us a mechanism to provide candidates not only money but also real mentorship and support when they most need it: during the heat of their campaigns.
Winning Elections
Eight of the challengers ChangePA supported in the 2022 elections were victorious, as were all seven of the ChangePA-supported incumbents.
ChangePA also supported Heather Boyd, the successful candidate in the May 2023 special election that preserved the one-seat majority Democrats held in the Pennsylvania House.
Here are the candidates who received new donations from ChangePA and won:
Lisa Borowski, HD 168, Delaware County
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She was a Commissioner in Radnor for four years
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Previously on the School Board
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The House Democratic Campaign Committee called this a "Red to Blue" district (their highest recommendation)
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Attorney General Josh Shapiro won 56% of the vote in this district the last time he ran
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President Biden won 61% of the vote in this district in 2020
Heather Boyd, HD 163, Delaware County
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Former chief of staff to Rep. Leanne Krueger (HD-161), who spearheads election efforts for the House Democratic Campaign Committee.
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District Director and Senior Advisor for Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon.
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The incumbent Democrat resigned so this was a district we needed to hold.
Tim Brennan, HD 29, Bucks County
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Doylestown Borough Council member
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Represents injured workers as specialist in workers’ compensation law
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“Red to Blue” district
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Shapiro 55%
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Biden 58%
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, HD 129, Berks County
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President of Reading City Council
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Entrepreneur running Mi Casa Su Casa Café in multiple locations
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“Red to Blue” district
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Shapiro 62%
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Biden 60%
Melissa Cerrato, HD 151, Montgomery County
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District Director under State Representative Liz Hanbidge
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“Red to Blue” district
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Shapiro 62%
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Biden 62%
Paul Friel, HD 26, Chester and Delaware Counties
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Second time running
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President of local school board
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“Red to Blue” district
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Shapiro 53%
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Biden 56%
Joe Hohenstein, HD 177, Philadelphia County
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Incumbent first elected in 2018
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Immigration attorney who developed first immigration law clinic at Temple law school
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15 years service on board of Frankford Friends School
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Shapiro 65%
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Biden 64%
Christopher Pielli, HD 156, Chester County
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Democratic State Committee member
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West Goshen Township Supervisor
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First Democrat elected as Chester County Recorder of Deeds
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The incumbent Democrat retired so this was a district we needed to hold
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Shapiro 57%
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Biden 61%
Tarah Probst, HD 189, Monroe and Pike Counties
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Three term Mayor of Stroudsburg
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“Red to Blue” district
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Shapiro 56%
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Biden 61%
Paul Takac, HD 82, Centre County
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Member of College Township Council
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Vice-Chair of both the Spring Creek Watershed Commission and the Public Safety Committee of the Centre Region Council of Government
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No incumbent
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Shapiro 51%
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Biden 52%
And, of course, each of the incumbents we helped to flip Republican seats in previous elections:
Nancy Guenst, HD 152, Montgomery County
Liz Hanbidge, HD 61, Montgomery County
Jennifer O’Mara, HD 165, Delaware County
Danielle Friel Otten, HD 155, Chester County
Melissa Shusterman, HD 157, Chester County
Joe Webster, HD 150, Montgomery County
News
Court Stops Pennsylvania Counties From Throwing out Mail-in Votes Over Incorrect Envelope Dates
August 30, 2024 — A state court halted enforcement of a requirement that voters include accurate, handwritten dates on envelopes used to submit mail-in ballots, a ruling likely to keep several thousand Pennsylvania votes from being thrown out in the November election.
Presidential Battle Could Play Role in Control of State Capitols in Several Swing States
July 10, 2024 — Two swing districts in a swing county may very well decide which party controls the House in the swing state of Pennsylvania, one of several where pivotal legislative battles are playing out in the shadow of the presidential campaign.