Pennsylvania Green New Deal backer fends off primary challenge

By Timothy Cama | 04/24/2024 06:40 AM EDT

Democrats also picked a former television journalist to take on conservative Scott Perry.

Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.).

Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) overlooking the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh this month. Gene Puskar/AP

Pennsylvania progressive Rep. Summer Lee easily beat back a primary challenge Tuesday from a moderate Democrat.

Lee, one of Congress’ most outspoken Green New Deal supporters, is nearly guaranteed to win reelection in November in the heavily Democratic 12th District, which includes most of Pittsburgh.

Bhavini Patel, a member of the Edgewood Borough council, focused her campaign on criticizing Lee’s progressive positions, including what she argued has been insufficient support for Israel in its war against Hamas and not standing with the local Jewish community.

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Patel’s bid was supported by Jeff Yass, a Republican pro-Israel businessman, via a super political action committee he funded. Lee has been critical of Israel’s government and called for a ceasefire, but she has defended her relationship with the Jewish community.

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