• Press Release

Women Vote LAUNCHES PROGRAM EDUCATING PENNSYLVANIA VOTERS ON SUSAN WILD’S RECORD

April 26, 2018

For Immediate Release

April 26, 2018

Women Vote LAUNCHES PROGRAM EDUCATING PENNSYLVANIA VOTERS ON SUSAN WILD’S RECORD 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today EMILYs List’s voter mobilization and education project, Women Vote, announces a direct mail and TV advertising program to educate voters of Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District about Susan Wild, the real Democrat in the race, and her conservative opponent John Morganelli.

“Susan Wild has a long career fighting for families, against corruption, and for progressive values. She is a progressive leader who will stand up to Donald Trump and the NRA, and protect a woman’s right to choose,” said EMILY's List President Stephanie Schriock. “Her record stands in stark contrast to that of John Morganelli, an out-of-touch conservative politician who has spoken out in favor of Donald Trump and made his anti-choice, anti-immigration views clear.”

“EMILYs List is focused on ensuring the working families of Pennsylvania know that there’s only one candidate in this race who represents their values — and that’s Susan Wild.”

The WOMEN VOTE! direct mail and TV advertising programs will introduce voters to Susan, educate them on her progressive policy positions, and inform them that John Morganelli is a conservative politician who sides with Donald Trump and Republicans on key progressive issues such as a woman’s right to choose, gun safety laws, and immigration.

The five-piece mail plan targets Democratic voters who voted in at least one of four Democratic Primaries (’17, ’16, ’14, ’13), any Democrat who registered after 3/25/16 and has since voted the 2016 General Election, and any new Democratic registrants since October 8th, 2016. The mailing universe then excludes male voters.

The mail will be sent to a universe of 65,124 voters in 56,438 households and will drop on the following dates: 5/2, 5/4, 5/7, 5/8 and 5/9.

The TV advertising program will begin in week two on WFMZ-TV Channel 69 and Philadelphia cable and runs through the primary election.

Women Vote is EMILYs List’s independent expenditure arm which works to educate and mobilize women voters on behalf of pro-choice Democratic women candidates, and help turnout voters for Democrats up and down the ballot. Launched in 1995, the EMILY's List Women Vote project combines polling and research, sophisticated message testing, the latest innovations in data and technology as well as good old-fashioned voter contact to mobilize millions of women voters across the country.

BACKGROUND

Morganelli Tweeted To Trump That He Was “Thankful For Your Coming Leadership,” Indicated That He Was “Waiting To Hear From Transition.” “In a series of tweets first flagged by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Democrat Morganelli messaged Trump about meeting him at his Trump National Golf Course in Bedminster, N.J., and described his own background on immigration issues. Morganelli responded to one of Trump's tweets Nov. 24: ‘@realDonaldTrump Thankful for your coming leadership. Waiting to hear from transition. Met you at Bedminster when I played in member guest.’ In another, Morganelli noted that he worked with Pennsylvania congressman Lou Barletta— an early Trump supporter who has talked with the president-elect about heading the Department of Labor — on fighting illegal immigration, a signature issue for both Barletta and Morganelli. The issue prompted Morganelli to cross party lines during the fall campaign to join Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey for an event condemning ‘sanctuary cities.’ Morganelli also described himself in several of the tweets as ‘Pa. most senior DA.’ Asked about the tweets, Morganelli said in an email Friday he was ‘having a little fun’ and hadn't heard anything back from the soon-to-be tweeter-in-chief. So would Morganelli be interested in joining the incoming administration? ‘I am not looking for a job in D.C.,’ he said, adding that he likes living in the Lehigh Valley. But there is a post closer to home that might interest him. Morganelli said he has ‘explored the possibility’ of filling out an application to become the U.S. attorney for Pennsylvania's Eastern District. Zane David Memeger offered his resignation from that Philadelphia-based post last month, and his first assistant will lead the office until Trump nominates a replacement.” [Mcall.com, 12/03/16]

2016: Morganelli Described Himself As “Pro-Life With Exceptions” Allowing For Abortion When The Mother’s Life Is In Danger, Incest And Rape. According to Pennlive.com, “A question about ensuring women have access to reproductive health care revealed a distinction between two of the candidates on the issue of abortion. Morganelli described himself as “pro-life with exceptions” allowing for abortion when the mother's life is in danger, incest and rate. Shapiro said he is firmly pro-choice.” According to a questionnaire Morganelli filled out for Pacatholic.com, he indicated that he opposed legalized abortion, except when the life of the mother is in danger or the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest. [Pennlive.com, 3/04/16; Pacatholic.com, April 2016]

Morganelli Complained That He Received A Failing Grade From The NRA, And Claimed He Deserved At Least A “B” And Was With The NRA 85 Percent Of The Time. According to The Morning Call, “Democratic attorney general candidate John Morganelli, a veteran prosecutor who's made his name as a law and order kind of guy, is getting no love from the National Rifle Association. The influential gun rights lobby gave Morganelli an ‘F’ on a scorecard gauging his support on gun-related issues. His Republican foe, Attorney General Tom Corbett, got an ‘A.’ That's left Morganelli crying foul. ‘I think it's a hatchet job for Tom Corbett,’ Morganelli protested, emphasizing what he said has been career-long support for all things Second Amendment. ‘I have a very pro-gun record… They have really distorted my record here.’ The five-term Northampton County district attorney said he deserves at least a ‘B.’ This is the first time he has been rated by the organization, Morganelli said. […] Morganelli said he doesn't begrudge Corbett his high marks, but asked, ‘How can I get an “F' rating when I'm on their side of the issues 85 percent of the time?’” [The Morning Call, 10/24/08]

Morganelli Opposed Expanding The Pennsylvania Children’s Health Insurance Program To Children Who Are Undocumented Immigrants. According to Pacatholic.com, Morganelli responded to a questionnaire that he opposed expanding the Pennsylvania Children’s Health Insurance Program to children who are undocumented immigrants. [Pacatholic.com, April 2016]

Morganelli Stood With Republican SenatorIn Support Of Legislation To Penalize Sanctuary Cities By Withholding Certain Types Of Federal Funding. “Democrat John Morganelli publicly joined Republican Pat Toomey on Monday to discuss sanctuary cities, an issue central to incumbent Toomey's struggle to ward off Democrat Katie McGinty in arguably the nation's top U.S. Senate race. […] Morganelli said Toomey approached him about appearing in support of legislation he has sponsored that penalizes sanctuary cities by withholding certain types of federal funding. Both men see danger in laws that block local law enforcement officials from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. ‘I said yes; I said sure I'd consider it,’ Morganelli said. ‘When I got the time, I said sure I'll be there to support the legislation. I made it clear to Pat. He said fine. I said, look, I'm not making an endorsement, I hope you understand. I said it might be interpreted that way. He said it's fine.’” [The Morning Call, 10/03/16]