Q&A with Lindsay Powell, Candidate for PA State House District 21

In particular, my sibling identifies as a trans non-binary person. It’s always been the two of us; we’re only sixteen months apart and have always been best friends. Through good times and bad, it’s been us. I’ve seen firsthand how living in their truth as a Black trans non-binary person has been difficult and they have been discriminated against in housing and employment opportunities. I ran because of my lived experience and because of my family and community’s lived experiences and a need to move beyond performative allyship for BIPOC and LGBTQ communities and I will work tirelessly to ensure that that happens in Harrisburg..

The next post in our 2023 election season series ‘Political Q&A’ with progressive candidates throughout Pennsylvania. Candidates can be anywhere in Pennsylvania running for any level of office. Please note that these are not necessarily endorsements, more of an opportunity for candidates to connect with the LGBTQ community, progressives neighbors, and others with an interest in Western Pennsylvania. If your candidate would like to participate, please contact us pghlesbian at gmail dot com. We welcome candidates at all levels of government across the entire Commonwealth.

By participating, candidates are saying that they

must be an LGBTQIA+ ally, specifically supporting equality and dignity for transgender persons
identify as pro-choice
must affirm that President Joe Biden won the 2020 election and that they accept the certified Pennsylvania’s election results

Up next will be candidates in the General Election . First, we have Lindsay Powell who is running as the Democratic nominee in the Speical Election to fill the vacancy in PA House District 21. The vacancy was caused by the resignation of Sara Innamorato who is the Democratic nominee for Allegheny County Chief Executive. The Special Election will be September, so please share this with folx in that district.

I first met Lindsay when I was appointed to the Pittsburgh LGBTQIA+ Commission by then-Mayor Bill Peduto in 2021. Lindsay was on his team and part of her duties was supporting our establishment process. I remember liking her attitude – helpful, but not too intrusive. She stepped in only when necessary. Her vibe was smart, competent, and qualified. She’ll be a solid addition to the General Assembly, especially the contingent of women ably representing our region.

Your Name: Lindsay Powell

Your Pronouns: she/her

The Office You Seek: State Representative, House District 21

How do you describe your identity? Cisgender heterosexual Black and Latina woman.

Tell us about your district. What is a hidden gem most people might not know about? District 21 is truly a beautiful, diverse and vibrant district, there’s so much to do and enjoy. There’s so much in fact that I couldn’t pick just one place to add but some of my favorites include Barb’s Corner Kitchen in Lawrenceville for a good hearty breakfast, The Attic in Millvale for all your vinyl record needs, a tour of the City Steps of Troy Hill & Spring Garden and Ruckus Coffee Gallery and Cafe in Shaler Township (the Belgian waffles are delicious!).

How has redistricting impacted your district?

The 2022 redistricting greatly impacted this district. With the adjustment of a whole new part of the North Hills, District 21 gained Shaler and no longer has any of Ross township. The District is more centralized now and there’s a lot of opportunity to build a greater sense of community within the district–continuing the work of former Rep. Sara Innamorato. I have a background in development and policy that guides my approach to bring this district together through a strong and equitable economy.

What are some key lessons from your time working for the City in the Peduto Administration that you will take to Harrisburg?
While working for the City of Pittsburgh, I ran the legislation and policy shop and oversaw the policies and programs out of the Office of Equity. Through these roles, I learned how to do robust community engagement that results in tangible policy change. I learned how to craft and pass impactful legislation, and create culturally competent programming that reflects the needs of our diverse communities.

Tell us about the first LGBTQ person you met and what impact they had on your life? Using initials or pseudonyms is fine.

I have many LGBTQ and queer people in my life that I adore and have shaped me as a person. In particular, my sibling identifies as a trans non-binary person. It’s always been the two of us; we’re only sixteen months apart and have always been best friends. Through good times and bad, it’s been us. I’ve seen firsthand how living in their truth as a Black trans non-binary person has been difficult and they have been discriminated against in housing and employment opportunities. I ran because of my lived experience and because of my family and community’s lived experiences and a need to move beyond performative allyship for BIPOC and LGBTQ communities and I will work tirelessly to ensure that that happens in Harrisburg.

Tell us about the LGBTQ community in your district and the region. Pittsburgh has such a beautiful and vibrant LGBTQ community and District 21 has a lot of LGBTQ-owned and known safe spaces for the community to gather and be, and there are a lot of opportunities to expand our offerings. Some of my favorite spaces include:

– Persad Center

– Blue Moon

– Harold’s Haunt

– Trace Brewing

– Proud Haven/TransYOUniting are 1 block outside of district on Northside – Lawrenceville and Millvale have their own annual pride events

Based on this, what do you understand to be our top LGBTQ concerns and priorities for the General Assembly? How will you respond to those priorities?

First and foremost ensuring that the Fairness Act is passed through the Senate and signed into Law. This critical piece of legislation will amend the PA Human Relations Act to include “sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression” to the current list of prohibited types of discrimination, which would allow the Human Relations Commission to charge fines and refer individuals and entities that break this law to court. This is common sense protection that reaffirms to me that we have so much work to do.

What are some key lessons from your time working for the City in the Peduto Administration that you will take to Harrisburg?

While working for the City of Pittsburgh, I ran the legislation and policy shop and oversaw the policies and programs out of the Office of Equity. Through these roles, I learned how to do robust community engagement that results in tangible policy change. I learned how to craft and pass impactful legislation, and create culturally competent programming that reflects the needs of our diverse communities.

The Special Election will be held on September 19. A win for your campaign would restore the Democrats’ one-seat majority. How and why does this matter? This is critical. More than sending a fierce Democrat to represent the needs of the 21st District, we have the tremendous responsibility to ensure that we regain the Democratic majority. Right now so much is on the line; from protecting our reproductive freedom, funding our public schools, LGBTQ rights and protections, racial justice, criminal justice reform. We have so much work to do and making sure we have a Democratic majority is critical to making sure we continue to make that progress.

It is significant that you would be the 3rd Black woman from this region to serve in the General Assembly, especially as one of those women has moved on to serve in Congress. How is increased representation of Black women as lawmakers changing the everyday lived experiences of Black women and girls?

Black women and women of color have been the backbone of the Democratic party, and finally we’re getting representation in Harrisburg that reflects that. If elected, I will be the first Black person to hold this seat. Even in the past few years with Summer Lee and LaTasha D. Mayes, and others that have paved the way for them, we’ve seen legislation introduced to the General Assembly that explicitly centers the unique challenges and experiences of Black women and femmes, including the “Crown Act”, addressing maternal morbidity, criminal justice reform and investments in our BIPOC neighborhoods and neighbors.

What are three reasons people should vote for you/support your campaign?

● I have the lived experience to lead with empathy and understanding in a way that I feel other elected officials cannot speak to.

● I have ten years of experience working on progressive legislation and policy, and I have the ability to get started on day one in Harrisburg.

● I’ve always been committed to centering our most vulnerable and underserved neighbors in everything that I do and believe that our legislative body should do the same.

Tell me about your other endorsements and supporters.

We’re so proud to have the support and endorsement of the so many neighbors and the following electeds and organizations, and it’s growing by the day:

US Rep. Summer Lee, US Rep. Chris Deluzio, PA Senator Lindsey Williams, former PA Rep. and Democratic Nominee for Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, Democratic Nominee for Pittsburgh City Controller Rachael Heisler, Councilman Bobby Wilson, Councilwoman Erika Strassburger, Steel City Stonewall Democrats, Pennsylvania State Education Association, Represent PA, Run for Something

Speaker Joanna McClinton, Majority Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Rep. Jordan Harris, Majority Whip Rep. Dan Miller, Majority Caucus Chairman Rep. Mike Schlossberg, Majority Caucus Administrator Rep. Leanne Krueger, Majority Policy Chair Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, HDCC Chair and Majority Caucus Secretary Rep. Tina Davis, HDCC Vice Chair and Allegheny Delegation Chair Rep. Nick Pisciottano, HDCC Finance Committee Co-Chair Rep. Melissa Shusterman, HDCC Finance Committee Co-Chair Rep. Tim Briggs, HDCC Recruitment Committee Co-Chair Rep. Danilo Burgos, HDCC Recruitment Committee Co-Chair Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, HDCC Recruitment Committee Co-Chair Rep. Kyle Mullins

Black women and women of color have been the backbone of the Democratic party, and finally we’re getting representation in Harrisburg that reflects that. If elected, I will be the first Black person to hold this seat. Even in the past few years with Summer Lee and LaTasha D. Mayes, and others that have paved the way for them, we’ve seen legislation introduced to the General Assembly that explicitly centers the unique challenges and experiences of Black women and femmes, including the “Crown Act”, addressing maternal morbidity, criminal justice reform and investments in our BIPOC neighborhoods and neighbors.

Is there anything you’d like to add?

I believe I am the most qualified candidate running for this position because of my extensive background working for progressive candidates and policies. I’ve had the honor of working at the federal and local level for issues of social justice and equitable development for Senator Schumer, Congressman Jeffries as well as for the City of Pittsburgh as a Chief of Staff for half a decade. In my career, I’ve had the privilege of working on a variety of different issues that better our community including on land recycling, bettering community engagement in BIPOC neighborhoods, multi-million dollar equitable development deal for affordable housing, gender equity in pay parity and countless other projects that have bettered the lives of Pittsburghers across the region and I would like to do that for HD21. Outside of these roles, I’ve been an advocate and supporter of groups such as the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, Lawrenceville United and Neighborworks SPWA where I’ve been a devoted Board Member for several years.

Unlike many of the possible candidates for this role, I have the lived experience of someone who has had to be on the other side of the “halls of power” and navigate these confusing and sometimes hostile environments on my own. I’ve fought my entire career for programs and policies for all of us, and equitably centering communities like my own that are the most vulnerable, which sets me apart from other candidates and gives me the unique perspective to be a compassionate and effective leader.

Where can readers find your campaign on social media/online?

www.lindsaypowellforpa.com

Thank you, Lindsay.

Other Q&A’s in this 2023 election cycle series. You can read previous cycle Q&A’s here.

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