Moro dropping out of Dem primary

In 6th District race

KENNETT SQUARE » Elizabeth Moro, a Democrat who was seeking the party’s nod to represent the 6th Congressional District, has dropped out of the primary race. She would have gone up against fellow Democrat Chrissy Houlahan in the May 15 primary election. The winner likely will face incumbent Republican Ryan Costello, if he stays in the race.

Moro, 44, of Kennett Square, initially announced her intention to seek the Democratic nomination to run against U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan, R-7, before the state Supreme Court issued a new congressional map. The justices took parts of Chester County out of the 7th District, creating a new 5th District that includes all of Delaware County. Moro, who would have been a resident of the old 7th District, found herself instead in the 6th District, which now includes all of Chester County and a portion of Berks County.

“The reason I ran this race was to bring better leadership for the people,” Moro said. “Due to situations that are beyond my control, now is not my time.”

One of those “situations” is the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision to adopt a new congressional district map after ruling that the original map constituted an illegal partisan gerrymander. District locations and numbers were changed by the new map and incumbents may no longer reside within the same numbered district following the change.

“I was in a situation where a decision was needed – choose a new district or quit,” Moro said. “I had always made a commitment to run in my home district

and quitting was not in my blood. I decided to continue to run in my home district, which now encompasses all of Chester County and part of Berks County. The court put fair districts back in the hands of the people, and we looked forward to the possibility of an open primary ahead. I was told by party leadership I would be treated fairly in the primary against the candidate the party was backing. That is not the way things went.”

Moro, a Realtor, said she initially decided to run after President Trump used his very first executive order on the day after his inauguration to mandate

higher mortgage insurance premiums, making it more difficult for hard-working Americans to own a home. She vowed to fight for equal pay, provide working families with opportunities and fight against partisan politics.

During her campaign, Moro stood as pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, pro-gun safety, and pro-environment.

“In running this race, I experienced many things up close and saw all our issues revolve around one thing,” Moro said. “The biggest challenge to our democracy is the influence that outside money and large donors play in silencing the voice and vote of the people. The remedies for the things so important to us never get fair debate

because of the influence of those who put money in the pockets of our candidates and elected leaders. Our democracy goes to the highest bidder.”

Moro said her decision to drop out of the race was the right one to make now, but did not rule out a run in the future. On the Republican side, incumbent Ryan Costello recently announced he is seeking reelection, and Greg McCauley is also seeking the seat.

“The American Dream is for all of us and I will continue to find ways to open doors to opportunity for the people regardless if I have an official title,” Moro said. “I will continue to listen to the people and from that will come the next steps of my journey.”

Elizabeth Moro