“Representative Conor Lamb was elected with a promise to put country over party and, since he came to Congress, he’s done just that. While Rep. Lamb has worked across party lines to deliver for his district – including fighting for veterans and addressing the opioid epidemic – Sean Parnell is simply using his congressional run as a way to gain national fame. Voters will see through Parnell’s act and reelect Rep. Lamb in November.” – DCCC Chairwoman Cheri Bustos
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To: Interested Parties
From: Courtney Rice, DCCC Regional Press Secretary
Date: June 2, 2020
Subject: The Case Against Sean Parnell
Known as an independent voice for his constituents, Representative Conor Lamb ran on a promise to put country over party. In Congress, he’s done just that – standing up for working-class Pennsylvania jobs, addressing the opioid epidemic, and advocating for infrastructure improvements. Rep. Lamb will face wannabe national personality Sean Parnell who has shown he’s more concerned with Fox & Friends appearances and book deals than the needs of working Pennsylvanians. Parnell is so out of touch with the district that he’s spent his campaign calling for the Affordable Care Act to be dismantled, which voters in Pennsylvania oppose.
In this suburban district, Rep. Lamb’s independent record cuts across party lines, putting him in a strong position for reelection. Additionally, Lamb’s commanding cash-on-hand advantage – nearly 3-to-1 over Sean Parnell– will be difficult to match and Parnell won’t have the resources necessary to compete.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“[Parnell] announced his candidacy on “Fox & Friends” and has Trump’s backing. This pedigree may not be overly helpful in this marginal, blue-trending district.” [PoliticsPA, 04/15/20]
HEADLINE: Lamb urges Democratic candidates not to forget the working class. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 10/20/19]
HEADLINE: [Rep. Lamb’s] Bill canceling disabled vets’ student loans passes House. [The Intelligencer, 03/12/20]
HEADLINE: Lamb Campaign Leads Western Pennsylvania Congressional Candidates In Cash Race. [WESA, 02/03/20]
HEADLINE: Parnell Moves Into Congressional District He’s Running In. [WESA, 03/12/20]
Sean Parnell: Using A Congressional Run To Audition For Fox & Friends
PARNELL WANTS TO MAKE YOUR HEALTH CARE MORE EXPENSIVE
Health care continues to be a top priority for voters – with roughly 80% of Americans citing it as their number one concern – but Sean Parnell has consistently supported actions that would limit access to affordable health care. In fact, Parnell has called the Affordable Care Act an “absolute, unabashed, catastrophically expensive train wreck,” said “literally ANYTHING is an improvement on” the ACA and, as recently as January of this year, called the ACA “a disaster.” As a reminder, the ACA guarantees young people can stay on their parent’s insurance until age 26 and that the 291,700 Pennsylvanians with pre-existing conditions like asthma or a pregnancy won’t be charged more or kicked off their insurance. If repealed, 48,000 Pennsylvanians in the 17th District would be at risk of losing their health care coverage.
As any good Washington Republican lackey would, Sean Parnell is running his campaign toeing the party line on health care – and, in Washington, he’d be a rubber stamp for their unhealthy agenda. That includes the failed Republican health care repeal bill, the AHCA, which Parnell has refused to speak out against, even though the bill “would weaken protections” for those with pre-existing conditions and would hurt states “hardest hit by the opioid epidemic.”
While Parnell and his Republican allies have attempted to gut Pennsylvanians’ access to health care, Rep. Conor Lamb has made it his mission in Congress to fight for lower health care costs and prescription drugs, advocate for workers’ rights, and address the opioid epidemic.
FROM TRUMP CRITIC TO TRUMP PAWN – ALL IN THE SPAN OF A CONGRESSIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Sean Parnell wasn’t always a Trump pawn, but you’d have to go back to before he decided to run for Congress (aka audition for Fox & Friends) to find any examples. Parnell endorsed Marco Rubio ahead of the 2016 South Carolina primary, criticized Trump’s pick to lead the VA after he became president, and publicly opposed Trump’s proposed peace deal with the Taliban. But that all changed when Parnell decided to run for Congress. Parnell reversed course, praising Trump’s deal with the Taliban, saying the troops “clearly… love and adore him,” and that “Trump [had] earned [his] respect.” As a frequent guest on Fox & Friends before his run, it should come as no surprise that Parnell announced his candidacy on the show.
In contrast, Rep. Conor Lamb has always been an independent voice for his district with a record of service and putting country over party. He’s demonstrated time and again that he’s willing to buck politics to stand up for his district when it comes to strengthening the middle class, supporting our veterans, and expanding access to health care.
PATH TO VICTORY
Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District incorporates a significant swath of suburban Pittsburgh, including all of Beaver County and portions of Allegheny and Butler counties. Since redistricting, the district become more Democratic and Representative Conor Lamb’s strong brand as an independent voice who cuts across party lines puts him in a strong position for reelection here.
In 2018, Rep. Lamb won 56.3% of the major party vote, beating the Republican (the previous incumbent from Pennsylvania’s 12th District before redistricting) by 12.5 points. He also previously won the special election to the much redder, old 18th Congressional District, which is now partially included in his current district.
To win in November, Rep. Lamb needs simply to replicate his 2018 vote total of 58.8% in Allegheny County. To note, this county comprises roughly three-fourths of the district’s vote total. Lamb’s cash-on-hand advantage over Parnell – more than 2.5 – will be difficult for Parnell to overcome before November.
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