Democrat Shaughnessy Naughton announced this week that she would be running for the 8th District congressional seat in 2016.
This is the second time the Point Pleasant businesswoman and scientist has run for the seat currently occupied by Republican Mike Fitzpatrick of Leivttown. Naughton was defeated in the 2014 primary election by fellow Democart Kevin Strouse of Middletown. Strouse went on to battle Fitzpatrick but later lost.
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The announcement this week came after rumors about the 36 year old’s interest in the seat fired up recently.
“It’s nothing but a food fight in Washington and working families are the ones dealing with the mess,” Naughton said in a statement. “We need better job opportunities, better access to a quality education and better protections for Social Security and Medicare.”
Naughton is receiving support from former Gov. Ed Rendell, who the Philadelphia Inquirer reported is “advising” the candidate.
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Naughton was beat by Strouse in the primary by just under 820 votes. Following the primary election loss, there were reports indicating that some democrats were leaning on state senate candidate Steve Cickay to drop out and let Naughton run in his place. Cickay ended up staying in the race and losing.
State Representative Steve Santarsiero, a Democrat from Lower Makefield, announced earlier this year he was also running for the 8th District seat.
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Rendell, who supported Naughton in her first run for congress, reportedly appeared at a fund raiser for Santarsiero in 2012.
Fitzpatrick said in fall that he would not be seeking reelection in 2016. Rumors on who on the Republican side will run have swirled for weeks but no candidates have come forward.
“I am proud to have the support of many of my friends and neighbors in Bucks and Montgomery Counties and look forward to meeting many more of you in the upcoming months,” Naughton wrote on her campaign Facebook page.
