Sen. Dinniman launches 2020 reelection campaign
State Sen. Andy Dinniman has launched his 2020 reelection campaign for Pennsylvania’s 19th Senatorial District, citing his record of success in crafting bipartisan solutions to some of Chester County’s most pressing challenges.
In 2016, Dinniman, a Democrat, easily defeated Republican challenger Jack London by garnering 56.4 percent of the vote. The job pays $87,180 per year plus a $183 per day per diem.
“Together, we’ve made Chester County a great place to live, work, and raise a family. But there is still much more work to do. I’ve never been one to shy away from hard work. I’ve always fought the good fight and I’m not about to stop now,” Dinniman said.
Dinniman said he expects the 2020 campaign to focus on some of the core issues facing Chester County residents such as the pipeline, schools, women’s health, open space and pets.
Dinniman was the first to take on Sunoco/ET’s controversial Mariner East pipeline project and is working to pass a legislative package calling for stronger oversight, inspection and regulation of pipelines when it comes to placement, construction, safety, and operation.
Dinniman continues his work to return the focus of education from standardized testing to classroom learning. After a years-long battle, he succeeded in rolling back the graduation requirement associated with the Keystone Exams. Dinniman also supports strong investments in career and technical education.
Dinniman has consistently opposed attacks on women’s health in Harrisburg. He is also working to combat the culture of sexual violence on college campuses and beyond. In addition, Dinniman has introduced the first bill to add consent education to the statewide school curricula.
A champion of open space preservation, Dinniman helped craft Landscapes, Chester County’s nationally recognized open space plan. Today, even as nearly 30 percent of the county has been preserved, new development pressures are leading to unprecedented congestion and threatening some of the region’s most important environmental treasures.
A well-known lover of dogs and animals, Dinniman led the successful effort to end the use of carbon monoxide gassing and other inhumane methods of euthanization. He is a strong supporter of Victoria’s Law (Senate Bill 44) to eliminate puppy and other pet mills by prohibiting Pennsylvania pet stores from selling puppies, kittens, and rabbits. Dinniman has also introduced legislation to increase the penalty when a pet animal is harmed or killed in a domestic violence situation. And he is the founder of Henry’s Helping Paw, an initiative that is reducing shelter surrenders and keeping senior citizens and pets together in their homes by providing free pet food delivery and visiting veterinary care.
Dinniman was the first Chester County Democrat to be elected to state office in a century. He previously served as a Chester County Commissioner and a member of the Downingtown Area School Board. His record of achievement as a pragmatic leader who builds consensus to solve tough problems has earned him strong bipartisan support.
In the Senate, he serves as minority chair of the Senate Education Committee, and on the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, the Game and Fisheries Committee, and the Consumer Affairs and Professional Licensure Committee.
Dinniman has been recognized with awards from more than 50 local, state and national organizations and serves on a half-dozen boards and commissions, including the State Board of Education, the Ben Franklin Technological Development Authority, the Education Commission of the States, and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
The 19th Senatorial District includes Atglen Borough, Avondale Borough, the City of Coatesville, Charlestown Township, Downingtown Borough, East Bradford
IMAGE COURTESY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA SENATE
Township, East Caln Township, East Fallowfield Township, East Nottingham Township, East Whiteland Township, Elk Township, Franklin Township, Highland Township, London Britain Township, London Grove Township, Londonderry Township, Lower Oxford Township, Malvern Borough, Modena Borough, New Garden Township, New London Township, Oxford Borough, Parkesburg Borough, Penn Township, Phoenixville Borough, Sadsbury Township, Schuykill Township, South Coatesville Borough, Tredyffrin Township, Upper Oxford Township, Valley Township, West Bradford Township, West Chester Borough, West Fallowfield Township, West Grove
Borough, West Marlborough Township, West Nottingham Township, West Pikeland Township, West Whiteland Township, and West Sadsbury Township.
It includes all or part of the Avon Grove, Coatesville Area, Downingtown Area, Great Valley, Kennett Consolidated, Octorara Area, Oxford Area, Phoenixville Area, Tredyffrin-Easttown, Unionville-Chadds Ford, and West Chester Area School Districts.
As of the last (2010) Census, it was home to nearly 300,000 residents.
The 2020 Primary Election in Pennsylvania is April 28, and the filing deadline is Feb. 18, 2020. The General Election is Nov. 3.