The Courier’s April 23 Primary Election Endorsements

There are sure things in life—death, taxes, and politics.

We’ve come around to yet another political season in Pennsylvania, with the April 23 Primary Election only days away. And with politics comes the truth, the lies and the gray areas.

The New Pittsburgh Courier is well aware of the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent by conservative groups in their bid to remove Congresswoman Summer Lee from office in Pa.’s District 12. If you don’t know who Jeffrey Yass is, well, you’re probably not alone. He’s a billionaire who, according to PublicSource, “has long championed conservative causes and candidates in Pennsylvania.” PublicSource reported this month that he gave $800,000 to a political action committee that is airing TV ads in support of Congresswoman Lee’s challenger, Bhavini Patel. Patel, 30, is an Edgewood Borough Council member who has hammered Congresswoman Lee for her stances on the Israel-Hamas war and believes the Congresswoman has moved the Democratic Party too far to the left.

The attacks on Congresswoman Lee are commonplace. Two years ago, more than $3 million was spent by outside groups in their attempts to keep Lee from becoming the first Black Congresswoman from Pennsylvania.

It didn’t work, as Congresswoman Lee defeated challenger Steve Irwin in the Primary, which basically secured the victory in November 2022.

Now, Patel is the latest person to challenge the 36-year-old Woodland Hills High School graduate, who, from Day 1, was seen caring for her North Braddock and surrounding communities, pretty much going door-to-door to see how she could help others.

That desire helped her win the Pa. House District 34 seat back in 2018, and she’s been on the up ever since.

Sure, the Courier is an African American publication, but the real question is, why would we endorse Patel over Congresswoman Lee? Patel hasn’t done anything of note that would make the majority of African Americans in this area call her a “difference-maker” for them.

Congresswoman Lee remains relevant in Black Pittsburgh, and it’s apparent with her helping to secure federal funding to revitalize Bedford Dwellings in the Hill District, secure more than $1 million to expand diaper distribution networks for thousands of kids in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, and is a tireless advocate for increased affordable housing in the area.

Congresswoman Lee has a very strong network. Oftentimes, people who are against you like to speak out and make waves, and they may seem as though they’re in the majority. But when April 23 comes, and it’s time to put up or shut up, the Courier believes the real network of Summer Lee supporters will speak out with their votes.

We will, too.

The New Pittsburgh Courier officially endorses Summer Lee for Democratic nominee for the 12th Congressional District.

Below, you’ll find our other endorsements in this Primary Election. We encourage everyone in our African American community to take the right to vote seriously, and to cast your vote. Your voice truly matters. So, make your voice heard.

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