Nation’s Premier Pro-Science Political Organization Helped Elect over 100 State/Local STEM Candidates in 2020, Will Spend $50 Million Leading up to 2022
April 28, 2021
PHILADELPHIA — Today, 314 Action Fund announced its endorsement of thirteen STEM leaders for state and local offices across the country. From state legislature to school board, the candidates in this slate of endorsements are fighting to advance pro-science, evidence-based policies in their communities. Following the organization’s success in helping elect over 100 scientists at the state and local levels in 2020, 314 Action Fund will spend $50 million in the lead-up to the 2021 and 2022 elections and is proud to support the campaigns of these science candidates.
“When science is on the ballot this year and next, voters won’t be duped—they’ll send a clear signal that the GOP won’t get away with its all-out attacks on science and truth,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, President of 314 Action. “To make sure the GOP loses its war on reality, we need to support strong science candidates running for state and local offices. These STEM champions are campaigning on policies based on science and evidence, and we’re excited to support them in races across the country.”
The full slate of new state and local endorsements is as follows:
- Justin Elicker, Connecticut, Mayor of New Haven (Environmental Scientist)
- Sändra Washington, Nebraska, Lincoln City Council, At-Large (Environmental Scientist)
- Joseph Bennett, New York, Onondaga County Legislator, District 15 (Physics Teacher)
- Dr. Tatyana Kopp, New York, Hewlett-Woodmere School Board (Neonatologist)
- Michael Myer, New York, North Greenbush Town Council (Architectural and Building Scientist)
- Kurt Grossman, Ohio, Cincinnati City Council (Electrical Engineer)
- Neelam Gupta, Oregon, Lake Oswego School Board of Education, Position 2 (Public Health Professional)
- Dr. Russell Caspe, Pennsylvania, South Abington Township Supervisor (Materials Scientist)
- Dr. Calvin Clements, Pennsylvania, State Senate, District 48 (Veterinarian)
- Dr. Mariam Mahmud, Pennsylvania, Central Bucks School Director, Region 5 (Pediatrician)
- Erin Ward, Pennsylvania, East Brandywine Township Supervisor (Chemical Engineer)
- Dr. John Biggan, Texas, Hurst City Council, Place 2 (Neuroscientist)
- Matthias Telkamp, Virginia, Virginia Beach School Board, At-Large (IT Professional)
In 2020, 314 Action Fund endorsed 120 scientists who successfully ran for public office at every level of government. Of these scientists, over 50% were women, nearly a quarter were candidates of color, and nearly a quarter were also first-time candidates. At the state level, 314 Action Fund committed $1 million to partner with the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee and Democratic legislative caucuses to elect STEM candidates across the United States.
In 2022, 314 Action Fund will aim to spend $50 million to elect scientists across all levels of government, with initial targets of seven U.S. Senate races, forty U.S. House races, and twenty-one statewide races. In 2020, the organization spent $25 million on behalf of its endorsed candidates and raised a total of $5 million in grassroots donations for scientists running for office.
###
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. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, electing eleven Democratic scientists to federal office, as well as over 100 to state and local offices. 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.