As women and as representatives of the Pennsylvania state House, we stand together to demand an end to the dangerous political tactics being perpetrated against Democratic 45th District candidate Brittany Bloam and her family in the form of an anonymous mailer broadcasting her home address to thousands of residents in her district.
Running for office should not mean signing up for a barrage of invasive personal attacks, subjecting your family and friends to constant harassment, or endangering the safety and security of your private home. Too often, this is the unfortunate truth of what it means to step up and lead, and it must stop.
As 19th News reports, harassment, abuse and violence are leading factors driving women and younger legislators, especially, to exit office. One report found 93% of women lawmakers said they experienced some form of harm or abuse in office, 59% said it disrupted their legislative duties and 32% said it impacted their desire to stay in office.
Nonprofit organization Future Caucus interviewed 89 young lawmakers across 31 states and across the political spectrum, and what they discovered was shocking: “Across all listening sessions and focus groups, political violence emerged as one of the most significant barriers to retention. Lawmakers described how threats affect not only their sense of personal safety, but also the security of their families and their long-term willingness to serve.”
The Pennsylvania House recently celebrated a record number of 67 women in office, and a number of women now serve in leadership positions, including Rep. Joanna McClinton, Pennsylvania’s first female speaker of the House. This progress is worth celebrating, but we still have so far to go toward equity in elected office. This mailer, sent by an anonymous coward, is a threat to that progress.
As elected officials, we condemn all political violence, threats and endangerment perpetrated against all individuals running for political office. This isn’t about endorsements or political affiliation, it’s about human decency, safety and respect.
We stand with Brittany Bloam and her family, and we call on those responsible for this dangerous mailer to step forward and take accountability today.
Reps. Tina Davis, Leanne Krueger, Rep. Emily Kinkead, Rep. Lindsay Powell, Rep. Ana Tiburcio, Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, Rep. Mandy Steele, Rep. Jessica Benham, Rep. Jen Mazzocco, Rep. Anita Kulik, Rep. Liz Hanbidge, Rep. Maureen Madden, Rep. Jacklyn Rusnock, Rep. Jeanne McNeill, Rep. Melissa Shusterman, Rep. Christina Sappey, Rep. Jenn O’Mara, Rep. Kristine Howard, Rep. Lisa Borowski, Rep. Mary Isaacson, Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, Rep. Tarah Probst and Rep. Roni Green
Harrisburg