Democrat Shaughnessy Naughton: I AM a Scientist

Republican politicians have taken to justifying their climate change denialism by claiming “I am not a scientist.” Last summer for example, Hillary Clinton’s campaign memorably mocked the “GOP’s Mad (not a) Scientists.” But now, a Democratic candidate for Congress can counter, “I AM a scientist.” And that’s exactly what Shaugnessy Naughton is doing. The first ad of her bid to represent Pennsylvania’s 8^th Congressional District in the House of Representatives begins by touting her scientific credentials. The ad starts off showing Naughton at work in a laboratory, “For years I was a laboratory chemist developing drugs to fight deadly diseases. As a scientist, I know there’s more that Washington can do to help families.” In her ad, Naughton appeals to both women and seniors. She promises to defend Planned Parenthood, “so more women get cancer screenings and treatment.” She also vows to “always protect Medicare and Social Security.” The ad also includes an environmental argument. She says she’ll fight “to pass a ban on fracking in the Delaware River Basin to preserve our clean water.” To date, the area has been protected from fracking by a moratorium issued by the Delaware River Basin Commission; environmentalists have advocated for a permanent ban.

Naughton’s Second Run for Congress

According to Naughton’s campaign biography, she graduated from high school at 16. While at Bryn Mawr College, she “was awarded a prestigious grant to help develop a new synthesis of a drug to treat breast cancer.” She later worked at Wyeth Laboratories researching infectious diseases, before stepping in to help rescue her family’s publishing business. This is Naughton’s second run for Congress. In 2014, she sought to challenge incumbent Republican Mike Fitzpatrick, but lost the Democratic primary by just 817 votes. If she defeats state Rep. Steve Santarsiero in the Democratic primary, her Republican opponent in this year’s open seat contest could be Fitzpatrick’s brother, former FBI agent Brian Fitzpatrick.

Scientists in Congress

Constituents of physicist Rush Holt in New Jersey’s 12^th Congressional District used to display bumper stickers proudly declaring “My Congressman IS a Rocket Scientist.” (Holt, a five-time Jeopardy champion, also defeated IBM’s Artificial Intelligence Program Watson in 2011.) Perhaps residents of Pennsylvania’s 8^th can come up with something similarly clever if Naughton wins election in November.