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A Downingtown resident making her first foray in elective politics in Chester County is hoping to accomplish two challenging goals in the 2024 race for the Pennsylvania state House of Representatives.
First, Democrat Erica Deuso seeks to topple the candidacy of incumbent state Rep. Danielle Friel-Otten, among the best known of the county’s Democratic caucus and a leader of the fight against the controversial Mariner East pipeline.
Unseating a popular incumbent from one’s own party may seem a steep climb in and of itself, but Deuso is also seeking to become the county’s first openly transgender candidate to win election to the General Assembly.
In her campaign announcement, Deuso noted the groundbreaking nature of her candidacy.
A Deuso “victory would give representation to the 80,000-plus transgender Pennsylvanians in Harrisburg for the first time,” a statement issued by their campaign stated. “I firmly believe that in 2024, it’s about time that … transgender Pennsylvanians across the state have direct representation in the State House and a genuine voice in Harrisburg.”
The number of transgender elected officials in the state is, indeed, very low. An internet search this week identified only Tyler Titus, an openly transgender person who was first elected to the Erie School Board in 2017 and who in November was chosen by voters in that city to be a City Council member.
In addition, Dr. Rachel Levine served as the appointed state Secretary of Health during the 2020 pandemic, and now serves as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health in the Biden Administration.
In her campaign announcement, Deuso referred to herself as a “pro-labor, pro-choice, pro-environment Democrat who believes that now, on the heels of the November Blue sweep in Chester County, is the time for a true progressive to bring real change to Harrisburg.”
The candidate said she recognizes that the “3 E’s— Economy, Education, Environment — are crucial to the future of the county and Pennsylvania. Deuso promised that her legislative agenda will focus on supporting good-paying union jobs, improving education through fair funding, and responsible stewardship of our natural lands, natural resources, and open spaces.”
In response to questions from the MediaNews Group, Deuso addressed the two challenges she is facing — defeating an incumbent and convincing voters to support a transgender person.
“Of course, some people may ask, ‘Doesn’t your opponent already support these things?’” she answered. “Mostly, yes. But the job of a legislator is more than just about our policy positions or stating intentions. It’s about achieving results that benefit the people of our district.
Deuso said she would “collaborate with individuals from both parties, bringing multiple perspectives to find practical solutions. I will collaborate with community organizations, environmental groups, and unions (among others) to ensure everyone has a say. Whether working with a fellow Democrat or across the aisle, I see each person as a fellow human being committed to addressing challenges, even if we have different viewpoints.”
Friel-Otten was first elected to the state House in 2018, defeating then-incumbent Republican Becky Corbin and reclaiming the Democratic Party’s hold on a seat that had been occupied by the late Sam Morris for decades.
The progressive politician won re-election in 2020 by 12 percent points, with 25,140 votes to GOP attorney Michael Taylor’s 19,766, and then again in 2022, beating Republican East Brandywine supervisor Kyle Scribner by more than 4,000 votes. She is expected to announce her re-election plans soon.
The 155th District, which covers the general Downingtown area in the center of the county, is a relatively “purple” district, with a mix of 19,276 registered Democrats, 18,539 Republicans, and 8,981 independents or Third Party voters.
As for her gender identity, Deuso said, “I want to highlight the historical significance of my candidacy. Following in the footsteps of trailblazers like Brian Sims, the first openly gay person elected to the Pennsylvania State Government, and Rue Landau, the first openly gay person elected to the Philadelphia city council” they seek election that would represent interests of others like them across the state.
“Societal discrimination, insufficient legal protections, and legislative actions at various government levels pose significant threats to the health, well-being, and livelihood of transgender and nonbinary individuals in Pennsylvania. The proliferation of anti-trans laws enacted by local governments, including school boards, as well as proposed Acts in the State legislature, has made us even more vulnerable.
“These discriminatory measures have resulted in heightened mental health risks, limited access to gender-affirming healthcare, and increased exposure to discrimination in public spaces,” they said.
An executive with Johnson & Johnson, Deuso is a native of Vermont who graduated from Drexel University with a master’s in Business Administration in 2012. She is married to their husband Michael and has lived in the borough since 2007.
To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan call 610-696-1544.
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