Chrissy Houlahan
A veteran and business leader fighting for Pennsylvania working families
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan is a veteran and business leader who ran for reelection to Congress to fight for Pennsylvania working families. Her story is uniquely American: Rep. Houlahan’s father, a Holocaust survivor, came to America with his widowed mother seeking safety and opportunity. He joined the U.S. Navy, rising to the rank of captain and teaching Houlahan the importance of service. She attended Stanford on an ROTC scholarship, and went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force before going on to earn her master’s degree from MIT and growing and running a successful business. In 2011, she took a year to teach 11th grade chemistry in North Philadelphia through Teach for America. She has served as president, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer of Springboard Collaborative, an educational organization focused on early childhood literacy. Rep. Houlahan felt called to run for office for the first time after the 2016 election. “I never thought I would run for elected office, but service does not stop when you leave the Armed Forces,” she has said. In 2018, she became the first woman ever to be elected to Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District. Rep. Houlahan lives with her husband, Bart, in Chester County, where they raised their grown daughters.
A powerful advocate for expanding economic opportunity
As a business leader, Rep. Houlahan helped create hundreds of jobs in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and she is a powerful advocate for expanding economic opportunity and for promoting economic security. She is a champion for policies that grow our economy while respecting and protecting employees, the community, and the environment. She cosponsored the Raise the Wage Act, which increased the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour over a five year phase-in period. Rep. Houlahan is an effective advocate for Pennsylvania students and their families. “As an Air Force Veteran, entrepreneur, teacher, and mother, I’ve dedicated my life to service,” she has said. “Serving the people of Chester and Berks counties is the honor of my lifetime, and I intend to continue my work to rebuild the local economy, drive down the costs of everyday purchases, and ensure that our kids receive a world-class education.”
Victory in a must-win newly redrawn seat
Rep. Houlahan’s 2018 victory made a newly redistricted open seat blue, put an end to the days of Pennsylvania’s all-men delegation, and gave Pennsylvania women a new voice in Washington. In 2020, she won reelection. In 2022, redistricting made this district a Republican target — but she successfully defended this seat again. The EMILY’s List community is proud to have been with this champion for Pennsylvanians to Congress every step of the way.