Pike for Congress

Background:

Doug Pike is running for Congress because he believes that the government needs to work for all of us, not just the most powerful. For the past 35 years, he has worked as a journalist, serving on the Editorial Board of The Philadelphia Inquirer for 14 of those years. At the Inquirer, he listened to the voices of Pennsylvania families and worked to hold elected officials accountable.

In addition to his experience as a journalist, Doug has front-line experience in health care, an issue he knows well and cares about deeply. He served for 10 years as the chairman of the board for a hospital and nursing care facility.

While Doug has served the community outside of government, he’s no stranger to the political process. Earlier in his career, Doug worked as a speechwriter for U.S. Senator Paul Tsongas.

Goals:

Doug Pike is not a career politician – he knows that the government is out of touch with Pennsylvania families. In Congress, he wants to use his experience to focus on the needs of working families and make government work for Pennsylvania. Getting the economy back on track, creating jobs, and reforming health care are some of his top priorities.

Issues:

Doug is running for Congress because he believes that the government needs to work for all of us, not just the powerful and well-connected. His top three issue priorities are the economy, health care, and education.

We need a new, sustainable vision for rebuilding and reinvigorating the American economy. We must invest in a new energy infrastructure that will create clean energy jobs right here in Pennsylvania. We also need a renewed national focus on transportation and infrastructure that will create jobs today and support our economy as we come out of the economic downturn.

Doug will bring his health care expertise with him to Congress to fight for quality, affordable coverage for every American – including a strong public option that will create real competition to lower costs.

In today’s world, a high school diploma no longer guarantees a well-paying job. Americans must be better educated to compete in the global economy. That’s why Doug will work to make college affordable for all – and to make sure that young Americans understand its value. In Congress, Doug will also push for higher salaries, better support and more accountability for teachers. And he’ll fight to fully fund early childhood education and special education.

Grassroots Support:

In a diverse and heavily gerrymandered congressional district like the 6th, grassroots organizing will be critical to the campaign's success. We have to meet, recruit, and organize communities from Coatesville, to Reading, to all of Lower Merion township. We simply cannot win unless we get people engaged.

DFA Values:

Doug is a strong social progressive and very fiscally responsible.

He is a staunch supporter of a woman’s right to choose. He is also an advocate for increased funding for family planning services and organizations that support and promote adoption, to ensure that families can make the best, most informed decisions possible.

In addition, Doug is a passionate believer in equal rights for all Americans, including those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. He strongly opposes the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that has forced the military to dismiss almost 13,000 soldiers since 1993 simply because of who they are. Doug supports the Military Readiness Act that would replace “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” with a policy of non-discrimination and allow all Americans to serve openly – and strengthen our military.

Doug was the chairman of the board of a successful hospital and nursing facility, so he knows how to balance a budget and plan strategically and responsibly for the future.

For example, Doug is committed to reforming health care, including no increase in the ten-year federal deficit and a strong public option that will bring down costs.