Announces Candidacy for State Representative

Progressive Benham to challenge conservative incumbent Harry Readshaw in the April Democratic Primary

South - Today, Jessica Benham, a co-founder of the Pittsburgh Center for Autistic ​ Advocacy and community organizer, announced her candidacy for State Representative in District 36. Jessica lives in the South Side Slopes and, like many of her neighbors, has long been frustrated by Readshaw’s conservative record on key issues.

"I'm running for State Legislature because I continue to hear, every day, in neighborhoods throughout the district, that our community is ready for a State Representative who is firmly committed to Democratic and progressive values. If elected, I will be that representative.

As we campaign throughout the district, I’m excited to hear from community members and better understand their concerns and ideas for how to build a brighter future. It’s time that we focused on real solutions to the disparities between our neighborhoods and many others in the greater Pittsburgh Area.”

“I will build on my background as a community organizer and a disability rights activist to fight for access to quality healthcare for all, to protect reproductive freedom, and for strategic and significant investments in our infrastructure.”

Jessica's campaign will center on her engagement with local communities to develop real, practical solutions to the issues facing the district, as well as her commitment to fight for the rights of working people.

Jessica is autistic and, if elected, would be one of the first state elected officials with a developmental disability in the country. She would also be the first openly LGBTQ woman elected to the General Assembly.

The district is in need of a new voice. Long time incumbent Harry Readshaw has consistently been out-of-touch with the voters of his district. Although he represents a strongly Democratic community, Readshaw has repeatedly sided with anti-choice, pro-gun, and anti-union interests in Harrisburg. During his 8th term in office, Harry Readshaw referred to himself as “a pretty ​ conservative person...for a Democrat” (https://www.sopghreporter.com/story/2010/02/09/front-page/readshaw-talks-about-the-past-and ​ -looks-toward-the-future/5309.html). ​

“Our community deserves a representative that will listen to their needs, and respond accordingly. If elected I will always serve as a representative of the people, their needs, and ​ ​ their desires - not the special interests.” said Benham

To learn more about Jessica's campaign for State Legislature, please visit her website at benhamforpa.com

About Jessica Benham After receiving her undergraduate and masters degree in Communications out of state, Jessica returned home in 2015 to the Pittsburgh area and co-founded the Pittsburgh Center for Autistic Advocacy (PCAA). While serving as PCAA’s Director of Development, she completed a masters degree in healthcare ethics at the University of Pittsburgh, where she has been involved in efforts to unionize graduate workers.