Public-sector unions are connected to a new Democratic Governors Association (DGA) political action committee (PAC) in Pennsylvania, where Attorney General Josh Shapiro will take on state Senator Doug Mastriano in a closely watched race.
The new PAC, Put Pennsylvania First, received at least some of its funding from public-sector unions like the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA). Put Pennsylvania First recieved a donation from PA Action Alliance, which in turn was partially funded by PSEA members’ dues.
According to state filings, Put Pennsylvania First uses a UPS store in Philadelphia as its in-state address, and listed two Democratic political operatives, Andrew Whalen and Jillian Edelman, as its officers. The phone number associated with the PAC connects to the DGA, and the bank it is associated with, Amalgamated Bank, is run by unions.
Whalen and Edelman’s names also show up on filings for the PAC “A Stronger Nevada,” which was set up to influence the election there.
Pennsylvania and Nevada are home to two of the most competitive gubernatorial races this fall. In both states, Democrats ran ads during the Republican primary to try to knock out tougher competitors in order to give their candidates an easier run for governor.