Yeakel backs Lunkenheimer in Dem’s 5th District race
Lynn Yeakel, a former Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, has endorsed former U.S. Assistant Attorney Ashley Lunkenheimer for the Democratic nomination in the new 5th Congressional District.
The Upper Providence resident is one of a crowded field running for the Democratic nomination in the May primary. Lunkenheimer joins teacher and environmental advocate Lawrence Arata of Haverford; George Badey, chairman of Radnor Township’s Democratic Committee; former CIA intelligence officer Shelly Chauncey of Glen Mills; Chester Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland; former Philadelphia Deputy Mayor for Labor Rich Lazer; former Morgan Stanley wealth manager Lindy Li of Philadelphia; attorney Dan Muroff of Marple; attorney Mary Gay Scanlon of Swarthmore; scientist Dr. Molly Sheehan of South Philadelphia; state Rep. Greg Vitali, D-166 of Haverford; journalist/entrepreneur David Wertime of Lower Merion; and entrepreneur Theresa Wright of Norristown.
On the Republican side are Pearl Kim, a former senior deputy attorney general of Pennsylvania and a past assistant district attorney for Delaware County from Radnor, and former corporate commodity executive Paul Addis of Haverford.
The district includes all of Delaware County, parts of south and southwest Philadelphia and a small part of Montgomery County. It was created after a court battle ensued over gerrymandering of the current districts. U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-7 of Chadds Ford, is not seeking re-election.
Yeakel, who lives in the Montgomery County portion of the 5th District, gained national attention after almost unseating then-U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., in 1992. She also served as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Currently, she leads Vision 2020, an initiative recognizing the 100th anniversary of women attaining voting rights in the United States.
“I have known Ashley and her family for many years and have always been impressed by Ashley’s intelligence, spirit and determination to do the right thing,” Yeakel said. “Having grown up as the daughter of a 22-year member of the U.S. House of Representatives, I am committed to restoring integrity to our national government and I will be proud to have Ashley represent my family and me in Congress.”
Lunkenheimer said she is honored to receive Yeakel’s support.
Others have also garnered endorsements.
Muroff received backing from Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Jeanne Sorg and Montgomery County Register of Wills Bruce Hanes.
“(N)ot only is Dan a proven progressive leader, Dan Muroff has the experience we all need in Washington,” Hanes said. “At a time when Paul Ryan and Donald Trump are doing everything they can to erase the legacy of President Barack Obama, Dan will stand up and fight the Trump/Ryan schemers and their far-right agenda. Dan Muroff is the voice we need now.”