PHILADELPHIA, PA.— Today in a speech, joined by multiple state Democratic leaders, State Representative Mark Kelleher (D-177) announced his candidacy for Governor of Pennsylvania. Prior to serving as a State Representative; Kelleher served as Philadelphia Mayor, District Attorney, Philadelphia Councilman, Philadelphia Democratic Chair and currently as a Major in the Pennsylvania National Guard. “Under the Cox Administration and Republican control, our great Commonwealth took a downturn from what it once was. Our Education standards fell, our economy plummeted, our healthcare became unaffordable, our environment being harmed even more, our communities growing unsafe, and we have poor tax policy where the middle class is being taxed more than the rich. Governor Cox made Pennsylvania lose its way, and it is time we take it back, and make Pennsylvania for the people once again.” Said Kelleher in his announcement speech. The Kelleher Campaign has also released the following “Progress for Pennsylvania”platform: - Economy & Jobs: Launching a 10-year economic plan that will target agriculture, energy, life sciences, manufacturing and technology, and securing funding for site development, Main Streets, and small businesses. - Education: Push for Universal free breakfast and lunches for all students; provide schools funding for menstrual products in bathrooms; raising teacher salaries; recreating a student-focused curriculum; create and support school scholarship organizations; free community college and loan forgiveness - Public Safety: Encourage Departments to hire more Police Officers and giving out Police grants; Implement data-driven policing policies; implement policies to address recidivism; implement policies to address the drug crisis; push for bail reform; push for marijuana legalization; and focus on community well-being - Environment: Promote Green jobs, push for de carbonization; plug abandoned oil/gas wells; and hold polluters accountable - Government & Taxes: Aim to make government faster; return more money back to the people in tax refunds; implement fair tax policies; work with the legislature for a better budget and tax policy that closes the income gap - Healthcare: Create legislation for more affordable cancer and genetic testing; providing more access to abortion services; expand Medicaid and Medicare; create a public health option - Worker Rights: Push for increasing the minimum wage; push for income equality among genders and race; support labor unions ###