Draft:Ashley Ehasz

Ashley Ehasz is an American politician and U.S. Army veteran. She is the Democratic Congressional nominee for Pennsylvania's First District (PA-01), which includes Bucks County and a portion of Montgomery County in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Early Life and Education

Ehasz was raised by a single mother for much of her childhood and moved around Southeastern PA as they struggled to find affordable housing. Growing up, many of her family members dealt with substance use and mental health issues, and several lost their lives in their battles with addiction. At age 17, through an age waiver, Ehasz joined the U.S. Army and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point as a way to afford college and build stability for her future. Ehasz was nominated to West Point by Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Senator Rick Santorum.

At the academy, Ehasz earned a B.S. in American Legal Studies, graduating as a Distinguished Cadet with honors. Following West Point, she became an Apache helicopter pilot, commanding troops and completing multiple combat tours throughout her nearly 13 year career in the U.S. military. Ehasz then used her G.I. Bill to earn her master's degree in International Development from the University of Oxford. Upon graduation, she worked on policy to improve outcomes and increase access to resources for communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Military Service

In 2010, Ehasz was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant within the U.S. Army Aviation branch, which at the time was one of only a few combat branches that women were authorized to join. Assigned her first duty station at Fort Rucker (now Fort Novosel), Alabama, Ehasz trained to become an AH 64D Apache Longbow helicopter pilot and graduated in 2012 as the only woman in her Apache class. Following completion of flight school, she first served as an aviation platoon leader in both line and maintenance companies in Fort Bliss, Texas, and eventually deployed to Kuwait. After her promotion to Captain in 2014, she served as a pilot-in-command and logistics officer and deployed to Camp Taji, Iraq. Beginning in 2016, Ehasz commanded two air cavalry troops out of Fort Riley, Kansas, including during a deployment to South Korea in 2017. She completed her service in 2018 and matriculated that fall at the University of Oxford to pursue a master's degree utilizing her G.I. Bill.

Political Career

2022 Election

While watching the January 6th insurrection, Ehasz knew she needed to stand up in service of her country once again. She announced her first run for Congress in October 2021. In 2022, Ehasz outperformed the previous challenger by 3.5 points despite possessing less than 18% of the resources.

2024 Election

Ehasz is the Democratic Congressional nominee for Pennsylvania's First District (PA-01). She ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and is now challenging Republican opponent Brian Fitzpatrick in the general election. If elected, Ehasz will be the first woman graduate of West Point elected to federal office.

Policy Positions

Reproductive rights

Ehasz believes that abortion is an essential part of healthcare and that this decision should be between an individual and their medical provider, not politicians. Her opponent Brian Fitzpatrick has voted for a national abortion ban without exceptions for the health of the mother and has voted twice against the Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA), both before and after the fall of Roe v. Wade, which would have codified reproductive protections at the federal level. Ehasz vows to support the WHPA when in Congress.

The Economy

Ehasz knows that our economy gets stronger when everyday Americans have access to the American dream. In Congress, she would support legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, make home ownership accessible for young families, ensure that large corporations are appropriately monitored and regulated, and facilitate equal access to the workforce through pay equity, universal preschool, and affordable childcare for all. Ehasz is pro-union and supports any agenda that makes Bucks and Montgomery Counties affordable for middle-class families and provides high-quality jobs to the hardworking people of PA-01.

Healthcare

Ehasz supports making healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone in PA-01 by expanding the Affordable Care Act, creating a public option, and giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices and cap prescription drug costs for seniors. If elected, one of Ehasz's first priorities will be to fight for legislation that would expand the government's role in drug research and development, which would drastically reduce the cost of generic prescription drugs.

Labor

As a member of Congress, Ashley will push for a $15 minimum wage, greater equal pay protections, subsidies for childcare, and safeguards for the right for workers to collectively bargain. She wholeheartedly supports the Build Back Better Act, unlike her opponent Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, who voted against it.

Democracy

In Congress, unlike her opponent, Ashley will vote for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to make it easier for American citizens to exercise their fundamental right to make their voice heard. As a Pennsylvania public school and West Point graduate, she is committed to investing in public education to ensure that the next generation of America's leaders are fully equipped to make decisions that strengthen our democracy and democratic institutions. In Congress, she will fight for critical reforms to restore power to the voters and reduce corporate power in our elections.

Personal Life

Ashley lives in Bensalem Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where she purchased her first home with the assistance of her VA loan.