Nation’s Premier Pro-Science Political Organization Aims to Spend $50 Million in Lead-up to 2021 and 2022 Elections

April 12, 2021

PHILADELPHIA — Today, 314 Action Fund announced its endorsement of engineer and architect Shaun Donovan, formerly the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, for mayor of New York City. After helping to elect over 100 scientists running for state and local offices last year, 314 Action Fund is proud to support the mayoral campaign of Sec. Donovan.

Sec. Donovan holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering science and a master’s degree in architecture. Under President Barack Obama, Sec. Donovan served as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Sec. Donovan was entrusted by the Obama/Biden administration to tackle complex issues facing the United States, including the Great Recession’s housing crisis and veteran homelessness, and he will bring that commitment to evidence-based policies to the mayor’s office in New York City.

“I am so proud to have the support of 314 Action. The work they do to help ensure that our city, state, and country have leaders who actually listen to science is immeasurable, and I am immensely grateful for their support,” said Sec. Shaun Donovan, candidate for New York City mayor. “This unbelievably painful year has shown us the raw consequence of electing leaders who lack experience. With over 500,000 deaths nationwide, including over 30,000 of our fellow New Yorkers, it is tragically clear that we need leaders with proven experience leading through crisis. As Mayor, I will always follow the science and implement data-driven policies that will not only help us overcome this pandemic, but will make our city more equitable across the board. From healthcare to housing, I am committed to reimagining NYC as a city that works for all New Yorkers.”

“As an Obama Cabinet secretary, Shaun Donovan successfully took on two of the greatest challenges in our country’s history by leading the United States out of the housing crisis and cutting veteran homelessness in half,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, President of 314 Action. “Under Shaun’s leadership, New York City can continue to lead the fight against the anti-science, anti-reality agenda of the GOP. Shaun will be a champion of evidence-based policies and will put science – and facts – first.”

Since its founding, 314 Action Fund has remained committed to electing scientists across New York. During the 2020 campaign cycle, 314 Action Fund’s independent expenditure program invested nearly $3 million in support of Dr. Nancy Goroff, then-candidate for New York’s first congressional district. 314 Action Fund raised nearly $70,000 in grassroots donations for Dr. Goroff’s campaign. 314 Action Fund has also been proud to endorse and support STEM trailblazer Congressman Paul Tonko of New York’s twentieth congressional district as well as New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (District 83) and State. Sen. John Mannion (District 50).

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314 Action Fund is powered by a grassroots community of over six million people working to elect scientists, doctors, and STEM professionals who will use science and facts to address our most pressing issues like climate change and health care. In 2018 and 2020, we played a pivotal role in flipping the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, electing eleven Democratic scientists to federal office, as well as over 100 to key legislative districts. In 2021 and 2022, 314 Action Fund will continue working to elect science leaders and defeat climate deniers in Congress and legislatures across the country.