A veteran and business leader fighting for Pennsylvania working families

Chrissy Houlahan is a veteran and business leader running for re-election to Congress to fight for Pennsylvania working families. Chrissy 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. Her story is uniquely American: Chrissy’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 Chrissy 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. As chief operating officer of AND1 Basketball, Chrissy helped the footwear and apparel company’s revenue grow from $4M to over $250 million, while also building a socially responsible corporation. After ten years at AND1, Chrissy became the founding chief operating officer  of B Lab, a nonprofit that certifies and supports B Corporations — companies that harness the power of for-profit businesses to support social and environmental issues. Always seeking more ways to give back, in 2011 Chrissy took a year to teach 11th grade chemistry in North Philadelphia through Teach for America. Most recently, she has served as president, chief operating officer, chief financial officer of Springboard Collaborative, an educational organization focused on early childhood literacy. Chrissy lives with her husband Bart in Chester County, where they raised their two grown daughters.

A powerful advocate for expanding economic opportunity

As a business leader, Chrissy helped create hundreds of jobs in Southeastern Pennsylvania. She is a powerful advocate for expanding economic opportunity and for promoting economic security. “We must also ensure that businesses pay a living wage, that equal work gets equal pay, and that the workplace respects the dignity of its employees,” she has said. Chrissy knows from her extensive business experience that working families can succeed when they have access to quality health care. She is a vocal critic of the Republicans’ cruel plan to undo the progress we’ve worked so hard to make. . Chrissy knows firsthand the positive impact that successful businesses’ sustainability practices can have on our communities and our shared future. She is a champion for policies that grow our economy while respecting and protecting employees, the community, and the environment. Chrissy is an effective advocate for Pennsylvania students and their families.

A must-win re-election fight in a new seat

Chrissy’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. Now she faces a tough re-election fight against Republicans doing everything in their power to flip this seat. With so much at stake in 2020, let’s show Chrissy the full support of the EMILY’s List community to keep this champion for Pennsylvania working families in the House and in the majority.