Skylar Hurwitz Promotes Progressive Message In Democratic Primary

When Democratic congressional candidate Skylar Hurwitz made his case to voters at a January candidate forum in Doylestown Borough, he separated himself from the other two Democrats on stage by talking less about President Donald Trump and more about his proposals.

Hurwitz, 28, who grew up in the Pennsbury School District before moving and graduating from New Hope-Solebury Public High School, has made clear that he is focused on solutions to problems and not just on battling the incumbent Republican president. 

“I don’t plan to run as a pure anti-Trump campaign,” he said. 

As the primary campaign has moved forward and one other candidate dropped after allegations of inappropriate comments came forward, Hurwitz has appeared laser focused on getting his progressive message to Democrats in advance of Tuesday’s primary election. On Tuesday, he will face-off against fellow Democrat Christina Finello. 

Hurwitz, a New Hope Resident and founder of a small technology consulting firm, said he has objections with the ways both mainstream Republicans and Democrats have handled their parties in recent years. 

“I don’t like to lead off with ‘I’m a Democrat.’ I want to find out what voters care about and focus interactions on policies that matter to them,” he said. 

While his initial campaigning has been focused largely at Democrats due to the state’s closed primary system, Hurwitz said he is willing to make his pitch to anyone who will listen. He said he plans to bring substance to back up his policy positions.

“The people of Bucks and Montgomery counties are sick of partisan politics … people are ready for real solutions,” he said, adding he is willing to work with other lawmakers to make change happen in Washington D.C. 

While Hurwitz is younger than most local congressional candidates in the past few years, he has said over his campaign that he brings a fresh perspective. He’s also touted his work with distributed ledger technology and Conservation International, which took him Asia.

Among the Democrat’s key priorities are addressing unemployment by creating a New Deal-like program with “massive” investment in infrastructure; focusing on changing the health care system, setting a goal to convert the electricity grid to green energy by 2030, creating American jobs and helping the plant; and reforming implementing the Fair Tax Platform, which is inspired to close tax loop holes and help the working class.

On health care, Hurwitz is in favor of Medicare for all. He said the COVID-19 pandemic shows that “attaching health care to employment is inhumane and wrong.”

For most families, their cost of health care will decrease with Medicare for all. Hurwitz said there are multiple ways to pay for the dramatic shift in the way health care is covered in the country, adding the one he most prefers adds a four percent payroll tax for those making more than $29,000 per year. With the change in the health care system, Hurwitz said it would eliminate out-of-pocket expense, premiums, and deductibles.

“The cost of health care will go down for people in most cases,” he said. 

In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, Hurwitz said he would look at legislation to give workers their own 21st Century Bill of Rights, support additional federal support to help Americans pay their bills during the pandemic, and push fair wages. 

Hurwitz said he supports a woman’s right to choose and would look to expand women’s health care services, noting many communities don’t have access to it. 

On the topic of recreational marijuana, Hurwitz supports making it legal and adding a tax for it. He additionally supports reducing marijuana from a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

“At this point, it’s a form of tax revenue,” he said, noting there are medical purposes where it is beneficial. 

Hurwitz said he also supports more research by the government on marijuana and potential benefits. 

While Hurwitz’s campaign has focused on getting voters to cast their ballots by mail, he urged any voters that go to the polls on Tuesday to be respectful of the poll workers and take efforts to keep everyone healthy. 

Read these previous stories on where Hurwitz stands on key issues:

• Democratic Candidates Face Off In First Debate Of 2020 Congressional Campaign
• Democratic Congressional Candidates Talk Issues At Forum

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