Statement from 314 Action President Shaughnessy Naughton on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Nomination to lead Health and Human Services:

“The agency responsible for protecting the health of hundreds of millions of Americans should be led by respected scientists, physicians, and watchdogs, not by witches and conspiracy theorists,” said Naughton.

“It comes as no surprise the president who recommended bleaching our lungs would nominate an equally irresponsible conspiracy theorist to lead Health and Human Services and turn back the clock to the 1700’s when it comes to science, medical advancements and the health and safety of the American people. Families are living longer and healthier lives because of modern advancements in medicine—ones that RFK, Jr. wants to roll back and replace with hocus pocus and witchcraft.”

“It’s unfathomable to appoint someone to lead our nation’s premier health agency whose record is spotty at best with regards to public health policy, and someone who wants to replace medical advancements with dangerous pseudoscience found in sci-fi movies. This nomination is cruel and a giant step back for our nation. At 314 Action, we will do everything in our power to oppose his nomination and fight with every ounce of our energy in order to keep the American public safe.”

“The GOP’s anti-science agenda is continuing to harm our public health and well-being. We will not back down because the stakes are too high. We will continue to lead the fight to ensure that lawmakers use science, facts, and data to make public policy decisions in order to best safeguard our nation.”

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Whitesides is the 3rd STEM candidate to flip a Red district Blue

November 12, 2024

(PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA) — 314 Action Fund today congratulated space technologist and former NASA Chief of Staff George Whitesides on his victory in California’s 27th Congressional District. Whitesides won one of the most competitive House seats, defeating GOP Rep. Mike Garcia, to become the third STEM challenger to flip a seat blue. STEM candidates John Mannion (NY-22) and Janelle Bynum (OR-05) also ousted GOP incumbents in their respective races. 

“George Whitesides successfully flipped this seat – one of the most competitive battleground districts in the country – by focusing on the needs of voters and emphasizing his background as a problem solver to get things done,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, President and Founder of 314 Action. “We’re excited to see Congressman-elect Whitesides lead with his STEM background in Congress, and get results for his constituents backed by the facts and data.”

“George will take on the GOP’s extreme anti-science agenda to fight for the issues that matter most to working families, including protecting reproductive rights, tackling climate change, and lowering everyday costs of living. His expertise and voice will be critical in Congress as we enter this new political landscape. We’re proud to support him and have played a role in helping him flip this critical seat,” Naughton continued.

314 Action Fund is powered by a grassroots community of over six million people working to elect scientists, doctors, and STEM professionals, up and down the ballot, who will use science and facts to address our most pressing issues like climate change and health care. In addition to picking up GOP seats in CA-27 (George Whitesides), OR-05 (Janelle Bynum) and NY-22 (John Mannion), the organization also elected new members across the country, including Dr. Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Dr. Herb Conaway (NJ-03), Dr. Kelly Morrison (MN-03), and engineer Luz Rivas (CA-29).

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Bynum is 2nd STEM candidate to flip a Red district Blue

November 8, 2024

(PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA) — 314 Action Fund today congratulated engineer Janelle Bynum on her historic win in Oregon’s Fifth Congressional District. She successfully flipped one of the most crucial House seats and in doing so, Congresswoman-elect Bynum will become the first Black member of Congress to represent Oregon. 314 Action Fund spent $2.4 million in Oregon’s 5th district race. Bynum became the 2nd STEM challenger to flip a seat after former science teacher John Mannion won in NY-22.

“Congratulations to Congresswoman-elect Janelle Bynum for winning a critical battleground district, and making history by becoming the first Black Oregonian to represent the state in the U.S. House of Representatives in its 165 year history,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, President and Founder of 314 Action. “Now, more than ever, her voice and expertise are much needed in Congress, where she’ll be able to stand up to the GOP’s extreme anti-science, anti-abortion agenda.”

“Janelle knows that to make meaningful change for working families—including protecting reproductive rights, tackling climate change, and lowering everyday costs—we need to pass legislation backed by the data and facts. We’re proud to have helped play a role in her flipping this seat and cannot wait to watch her deliver results for Oregonians,” Naughton continued.

314 Action Fund is at the forefront of the battle to flip the House this cycle. In addition to picking up seats in OR-05 and NY-22, several other STEM challenger races are still “too close to call,” including CA-27, AZ-01, NE-02, and IA-01. The movement is powered by a grassroots community of over six million people working to elect scientists, doctors, and STEM professionals, up and down the ballot, who will use science and facts to address our most pressing issues like climate change and health care. 

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November 5, 2024

Once sworn in, Kelly Morrison will become the first female OB-GYN elected to Congress

(PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA) — Tonight, 314 Action Fund congratulates Kelly Morrison on her historic victory in Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District. Once sworn in, she will become the first female OB-GYN in Congress. 

“Congratulations to Kelly Morrison on running a fantastic campaign and on her historic win,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, President and Founder of 314 Action Fund. “As an OB-GYN, Dr. Morrison understands that abortion care is health care—and we need her voice and expertise to stand up to the anti-science, anti-abortionist looking to strip Americans of their reproductive freedoms.”

Naughton continued, “Kelly will fight to address our most pressing issues—tackling climate change, lowering health care, and, of course, reproductive freedoms, using facts, data, and science. Kelly will never choose partisanship over science and will always put Minnesota families first in Washington. We’re proud of her and cannot wait to work together to keep science in Congress.”

314 Action Fund is at the forefront of the battle to flip the House this cycle. The organization is backing STEM challengers to flip Republican seats in AZ-01, CA-27, IA-01, NE-02, NY-22, and OR-05. The movement is powered by a grassroots community of over six million people working to elect scientists, doctors, and STEM professionals, up and down the ballot, who will use science and facts to address our most pressing issues like climate change and health care.

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November 5, 2024

Once Sworn In, Rivas will become 1st Latina Engineer Elected to Congress in History

(PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA) — Tonight, 314 Action Fund congratulates Luz Rivas on her historic victory in California’s 29th District. Once sworn in, she will be the first first Latina engineer in history elected to Congress. 

“Congratulations to Luz Rivas on her campaign and this historic victory,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, President and Founder of 314 Action. “Luz is a proven leader and her knowledge and expertise in Congress is much needed. She will stand up to the GOP’s anti-science, anti-abortion agenda to fight for the issues that matter most to Californians.”

Naughton continued, “Luz knows we can only make meaningful change through legislation backed by facts, data, and science. We know she will always work to solve the issues that matter most to working families—including reproductive rights, tackling climate change, and lowering costs. We’re proud to support her and to have played a role in helping her get elected to Congress.”

314 Action Fund is at the forefront of the battle to flip the House this cycle. The organization is backing STEM challengers to flip Republican seats in AZ-01, CA-27, IA-01, NE-02, NY-22, and OR-05. The movement is powered by a grassroots community of over six million people working to elect scientists, doctors, and STEM professionals, up and down the ballot, who will use science and facts to address our most pressing issues like climate change and health care.

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November 5, 2024

Making history, Dr. Conaway will become the first Black Doctor with Voting Power in the History of Congress

(PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA) — Tonight, 314 Action Fund congratulates Dr. Herb Conaway on his historic victory in New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District. He will become the first Black doctor with voting power in the history of Congress. 

“Congratulations to Dr. Herb Conaway on running an incredible campaign and on his historic win,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, President and Founder of 314 Action. “For the first time in our nation’s 250 year history, we elected a Black doctor to Congress who will have the power to sponsor bills and vote on legislation to improve the lives of millions of Americans. We’re proud to stand with Dr. Conaway in this historic achievement.”

“As a physician, he understands the importance of fighting for pro-science legislation to tackle our most pressing issues—reproductive freedoms, climate change, and lowering costs of healthcare—by using facts and data,” Naughton continued.

“At a time where American women’s lives are at risk because of draconian abortion bans, it’s more crucial than ever to bring Democratic doctor’s voices and expertise to Congress. Dr. Conaway will never choose partisanship over science and will always put New Jerseyans first. We’re proud of him and we cannot wait to continue to fight alongside him to keep Americans safe and better their lives.”

314 Action Fund is at the forefront of the battle to flip the House this cycle. The organization is backing STEM challengers to flip Republican seats in AZ-01, CA-27, IA-01, NE-02, NY-22, and OR-05. The movement is powered by a grassroots community of over six million people working to elect scientists, doctors, and STEM professionals, up and down the ballot, who will use science and facts to address our most pressing issues like climate change and health care.

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November 5, 2024

The Organization Spent Over $2.2 Million to Help Dexter Win  

(PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA) — Tonight, 314 Action Fund congratulates Dr. Maxine Dexter on her victory in Oregon’s Third Congressional District. 

“Congratulations to Dr. Maxine Dexter on her incredible campaign and this win,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, President and Founder of 314 Action Fund. “Dr. Dexter’s expertise is much needed in Congress, where she’ll stand up against the GOP’s anti-science, anti-abortion agenda. She knows that to make meaningful change, we need to pass legislation that the facts, data, and science support.”

Naughton continued, “At a time where American women’s lives are at risk because of draconian abortion bans, it’s more crucial than ever to bring Democratic doctor’s voices and knowledge to Congress. Dr. Dexter will never choose partisanship over science and will always put Oregonians first. We’re so proud of her victory and we cannot wait to continue to fight alongside her to keep Americans safe and better their lives.”

314 Action Fund is at the forefront of the battle to flip the House this cycle. The organization is backing STEM challengers to flip Republican seats in AZ-01, CA-27, IA-01, NE-02, NY-22, and OR-05. The movement is powered by a grassroots community of over six million people working to elect scientists, doctors, and STEM professionals, up and down the ballot, who will use science and facts to address our most pressing issues like climate change and health care.  

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November 5, 2024

Mannion Clinches 1st Major Flip for Democrats in Path to a Democratic Majority

(PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA) — Tonight, 314 Action Fund congratulates State Senator John Mannion on his major victory in New York’s 22nd Congressional District. A former science teacher, Congressman-elect Mannion defeated Rep. Brandon Williams to flip one of the most crucial House races this cycle, bringing Democrats 3 seats closer to a Democratic majority. 

“Congratulations to Congressman-elect Mannion on flipping New York’s 22nd District,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, President and Founder of 314 Action. “As a dad, science teacher, and State Senator, John fought to protect women’s reproductive freedoms, safeguard our democracy, and use data and facts to help tackle climate change in the state senate and we know he will lean into that experience to do the same in Congress. We’re proud to stand with John to flip this seat and can’t wait to see him get to work for the people of Central New York and the Mohawk Valley.”

314 Action Fund is at the forefront of the battle to flip the House this cycle. In addition to NY-22, the organization is backing STEM challengers to flip Republican seats in AZ-01, CA-27, NE-02, IA-01, and OR-05. The movement is powered by a grassroots community of over six million people working to elect scientists, doctors, and STEM professionals, up and down the ballot, who will use science and facts to address our most pressing issues like climate change and health care. 

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