I believe this (General Assembly) class is able to bring their full selves to these roles; both their professional and lived experiences to their decision making and community building. I am grateful that we are able to be specific and meaningful in our actions. I’m proud of initiatives like the Black Material Health Caucus, which explicitly works to advocate for and safeguard the health of Black mothers in our Commonwealth.
Meet the Candidate
Next, read this post of our 2024 primary election season series ‘Political Q&A’ with progressive candidates throughout Pennsylvania. Candidates can be anywhere in Pennsylvania running for any level of office. Please note that these are not necessarily endorsements, more of an opportunity for candidates to connect with the LGBTQ community, progressives neighbors, and others with an interest in Western Pennsylvania. If your candidate would like to participate in ase contact us pghlesbian at gmail dot com. We welcome candidates at all levels of government across the entire Commonwealth.
These Q&A’s are lengthy because there is a lot of ground to cover.
By participating in this Q&A series, candidates are saying that they
- are an LGBTQIA+ ally, specifically supporting equality and dignity for transgender persons
- identify as pro-choice
- recognize the 2020 election of President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris
I had the privilege of a Q&A with Representative Powell during her special election run in late 2023. Given that was so recently, I asked her some fresh questions. See link below. I appreciate her commitment to representation and intersectionality. Also, I like that she describes herself as tenacious. She seems to have hit the ground running since the Special Election. We should look forward to what comes next.
Name: Lindsay Powell
Pronouns: She/Her
Office Sought: Representative in the General Assembly, District 21
How do you describe your identity? Black, Latina, Heterosexual, Cisgender
There’s clearly one party that consistently has taken every opportunity to target the safety
and well being of transgender children and people. We have to remain vigilant to root out
harmful legislation at every turn.
Questions and Answers
Tell us about your district. What is a hidden gem most people might not know about?
Our district is a beautiful collection of communities that are caring and resilient.
How has your understanding of your district changed after your first term in office?
I have really enjoyed getting to know every corner of my district over the last few months,
which stretches across both urban and more suburban parts of our county.
Do you support reelecting President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024?
Why or why not?
This administration has made historic contributions to our country and continues to set us on
a path of growth, stability, and investment in our country’s future. This however, is on a
backdrop of a rapidly growing wealth gap, a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and
Ukraine, and the fear that the future of this country will be reliant on the continued
suppression of working people and BIPOC communities. This is also in contrast to a
Republican candidate whose very fundamental beliefs will threaten the safety and future of
BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and other vulnerable populations. I’m disappointed more than anything,
that we’ve found ourselves here as a country. But as we head towards November, I will be
supporting a Biden/Harris ticket and continuing to hold the administration accountable to
build a more equitable country.
The class of 2022 has been touted as the most diverse ever. Western PA sent three openly
LGBTQ women, one of whom is Black, one a Jewish woman, and one autistic. We elected a
Jewish man as Governor and a Black man as Lt. Governor. And we sent Summer Lee, a
Black woman to the US Congress.You are the first Black and Latina representative to serve
your district. How did all of this representation manifest in the work of the General
Assembly?
I can say that it is incredible to work in a body that is growing and embracing diversity and
diverse perspectives. I believe this class is able to bring their full selves to these roles; both their professional and lived experiences to their decision making and community building. I
am grateful that we are able to be specific and meaningful in our actions. I’m proud of
initiatives like the Black Material Health Caucus, which explicitly works to advocate for and
safeguard the health of Black mothers in our Commonwealth.
You are a member of the Latino Caucus and Black Caucus. Help us understand the role of
a caucus.
Caucuses are groups of like minded legislators focused on advocacy and legislative
advances for a particular population or cause. The above mentioned caucuses are focused
on Black and Latine populations in Pennsylvania.
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One of your major policy initiatives has been co-sponsoring the Public Employe Relations
Act providing for health care benefits during strikes. Tell us more about this issue.
It is an immensely difficult decision to go on strike. Workers risk everything when they go on
strike when they are working towards pushing for a more equitable workplace. Having access to
healthcare allows for workers to not be abused or have their healthcare hung over their head by
bad employers.
How has your familiarity with the LGBTQ community in Pennsylvania evolved in your first
term?
As someone with a family member who is in the LGBTQ community, I am deeply familiar
with the community, the issues it faces, and committed to being an advocate for everyone.
Since being elected, I have a deepened understanding how intersectional these massive
issues are.
What specific legislative actions have you supported to affirm LGBTQIA residents?
My legislative priorities are intersectional. I’ve introduced legislation around housing and anti
displacement, extending protections for victims of crime in public housing and allowing for
striking workers to access healthcare. I believe legislative protections like these help
vulnerable people across our communities.
Your district includes many affirming spaces including Millvale, Etna, and Lawrenceville.
How does their electoral proximity to other parts of your district create more affirming
spaces?
I know these spaces are safe havens for many in the LGBTQIA+ community. By continuing
to support and patron them so that everyone can enjoy them.
This administration has made historic contributions to our country and continues to set us on
a path of growth, stability, and investment in our country’s future. This however, is on a
backdrop of a rapidly growing wealth gap, a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and
Ukraine, and the fear that the future of this country will be reliant on the continued
suppression of working people and BIPOC communities. This is also in contrast to a
Republican candidate whose very fundamental beliefs will threaten the safety and future of
BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and other vulnerable populations.
The Democrats gained control of the PA House in 2022. What impact did that have on
Pennsylvania politics overall?
As someone who reclaimed the majority for Democrats in Pennsylvania for the third time in
2024, I would say that this majority is absolutely focused on making the lives of working
families in Pennsylvania better – and that is a breath of fresh air.
As of mid-January, three anti-LGBTQ bills have already been introduced in Pennsylvania.
Nationwide, 343 bills are active in 36 states, a number I expect will exponentially grow by
the time we publish this Q&A. Pennsylvania legislators want to disregard sexual orientation
and gender identity in public schools, both in terms of class curricula (PA HB319) and
banning participation in sports (PA HB216.) How is this election tied to stopping this
onslaught targeting transgender children and adults?
There’s clearly one party that consistently has taken every opportunity to target the safety
and well being of transgender children and people. We have to remain vigilant to root out
harmful legislation at every turn.
Public environmental health in this district includes everything from fracking to air emissions
to miles of freight train rails.Tell us how you balance environmental needs for Lawrenceville
with unincorporated communities in the North Hills suburbs.
Flooding is a major problem in my district – and one that has necessitated a lot of cross-
municipal dialogue. My role as state representative is to help facilitate those conversations
and ensure local municipalities have everything they need from the state to address their
problems.
Western Pennsylvania was heavily, represented, in the number of dioceses with credible
allegations and victims in the Attorney General Report on Sexual abuse in the Catholic
Church – including some of my friends and neighbors. How will you advocate for the victims
and survivors on the state level?
I will always stand with survivors, and will support forwarding legislation that makes sure that
we hold abusers accountable at every single level.
Voter turnout is a significant concern, especially for municipal/local elections. What advice
would you offer to organizations and groups concerned with turnout in Pennsylvania?
Engage in every election at every level. My special election marked a historic victory
because we organized, worked hard, and didn’t take anything for granted.
Another significant issue is the refusal of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Block
Communications to provide a fair workplace or to honor their legal obligations. This is terrible for labor, but also destroying our flagship media resource. Have you taken the pledge to avoid speaking to the Post-Gazette scab employees? Upon election, what can your office do to save Pittsburgh’s daily newspaper and the fourth estate?
In my special election, and continuing, I do not speak to the Post-Gazette. I am happy to promote news outlets that support their workers and do not deny them their labor rights.
What are your legislative priorities for 2024?
- Housing – Every Pittsburgher should have access to safe and dignified housing. We must invest in building new and rehabbing existing housing to expand the city’s housing stock and create a city affordable to all.
- Working Families – Families across our districts are worried about keeping their heads above water and making sure that their children have a bright future ahead of them. I believe without addressing rising childcare costs, healthcare reform and addressing student debt, we are failing families in our community.
- Jobs & the Economy – Our local economy is fueled by small businesses, entrepreneurs and workers. Pennsylvania needs to protect its workers by raising the minimum wage and making it easier to start and grow businesses in our district.
- Community Assets – Our community deserves beautiful and accessible spaces to enjoy. We need more active recreation centers, expanded resources for libraries, walkable green spaces, and investments in critical infrastructure.
Tell us about your endorsements.
I’m proud to be endorsed by the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, the Allegheny-
Fayette Labor Council, Represent PAC, the Young Democrats of Allegheny County, and the
Steel City Stonewall Democrats. I’m also proud to have had the support of so many of our
elected officials, labor unions, and interest groups just a few months ago in my special
election campaign.
Finally, what are three reasons people should vote for you/support your campaign?
I believe a reason people should support our campaign is because there should be more
leaders with professional and lived experiences at the decision making table. I am
tenacious, care deeply about our collective future, and have the ability to bring together our
community for the better.
Please list your social media accounts and your donation links.
https://www.facebook.com/lindsaypowellforpa
https://twitter.com/LindsayPowellPA
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/lindsaypowellforpa?refcode=suekerr
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you for the opportunity to share my candidacy with your readers!
Thank you, Rep Powell.
Q&A with Lindsay Powell, Candidate for PA State House District 21 (August 2023)
Other Q&A’s
In addition, read other Q&A’s in this election cycle series. You can read previous cycle Q&A’s here. If your candidate would like to participate, please contact us pghlesbian at gmail dot com.
- 2024 Political Q&A with Makenzie White: What You Need to Know About This Candidate for PA Senate District 45
- 2024 Political Q&A with Summer Lee: What You Need to Know About This Candidate for US House District 12
- 2024 Political Q&A with ArvindVenkat: What You Need to Know About This Incumbent Candidate for PA House District 30
- 2024 Political Q&A with Eugene DePasquale: What You Need to Know About This Candidate for Pennsylvania Attorney General
- 2024 Political Q&A with Lindsay Powell: What You Need to Know About This Incumbent Candidate for PA House District 21
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