Democrat drops out of 7th District race for Congress

A 25-year-old

Democratic candidate for the 7th Congressional District has switched races to the neighboring 6th District, and her campaign manager couldn’t be happier.

“I just think we can run a much better and stronger campaign in the 6th,” said D.A. Jones, who joined Lindy Li’s campaign about two months ago. “I think we have a better shot of taking out (6th District incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan) Costello than (7th District Republican incumbent Pat) Meehan.”

Li, who grew up in the 6th District and currently resides in Radnor, announced her bid for the 7th District seat over the summer, but has noted in the past that she originally wanted to run against Costello, a firstterm Congressman.

Li now joins fellow Democratic candidate Mike Parrish in that endeavor, leaving Democrats Mary Ellen Balchunis and Bill Golderer to vie for a spot on the November ballot against Meehan.

Jones said members of the state Democratic Party leadership urged Li to run in the 7th because they were seeking a strong challenger for Meehan. Jones said he wouldn’t have gone for it if he was on board at the time, so when both Li and leadership members later considered switching her back to the 6th District, that was all he needed to hear.

“I see her playing very well in the 6th,” he said. “Number one, she’s a woman, and we don’t have any … member of the Pennsylvania (Congressional) delegation who’s a woman right now. I see that playing well, especially with Hillary Clinton. I can see Hillary being the nominee (for president). (Li) has a decent grasp of the issues, as well as any other congressional candidate out there right now … and she’s 25 years old.”

Li, a Chinese-American with a financial background in the pharmaceutical industry, would be the youngest woman ever elected to Congress should she win. But unlike other young candidates that might focus on one issue, Jones said Li has a more robust platform and is willing to put in the legwork to get it across.

She has already demonstrated a strong ability to fundraise with between $400,000 and $500,000 in the bank, according to Jones, who added the campaign will be rolling out some strong endorsements in the New Year.

Li has no prior political experience, but Jones said he believes that is a strength rather than a weakness.