New Hope Resident Joins Dem Race For Congress

NEW HOPE, PA — A 27-year-old technology consultant from New Hope has joined the Democratic field seeking to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick for his seat in Congress.

Skylar Hurwitz is a Bucks County native who grew up in Yardley and New Hope-Solebury. He moved back to the area last year, after working in Washington, D.C. for nearly a decade.

According to his campaign website, Hurwitz's "time in D.C. provided key insights into what is broken in Washington — and what must be done to fix the government so it starts working for everyday Americans again."

Hurwitz worked briefly in the office of U.S. Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, of New York, and worked on a grant at the National Association of Regional Councils that focused on lowering the costs of solar panel installations.

He then spent nearly three years managing a $30 million grant portfolio for Conservation International, in Arlington, Va.

Hurwitz joins Ivyland Borough Councilwoman Christina Finello, Pennsbury school board member Debbie Wachspress and Bucks County prothonotary and former Lower Makefield Township supervisor Judi Reiss in the Democratic field seeking Fitzpatrick's seat in Congress.

Fitzpatrick also is being challenged in the Republican primary by financial planner Andrew Meehan.

On his website, Hurwitz promotes what he calls his "Fair Tax Platform" as a top priority if elected.

He says his plan would increase disposable income for individuals making $250,000 or less and couples making $500,000 or less.

Fitzpatrick defeated Democratic challenger Scott Wallace last year by a vote of 168,841 to 160,098. His Bucks County district has been watched closely by national observers as an opportunity for Democrats to pick up a GOP-controlled seat.