Long-time advocate hoping for an historic upset win

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.— Early this morning, Cheri Honkala entered the Norris Square United Presbyterian Church to cast a write-in vote for herself for what would be the first Green Party representative in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Cheri Honkala for State Representative
http://www.cheri197.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 21, 2017

For more info, contact:
Matthew Zawisky: 716-479-2351
Hillary Kane: 267-971-3559

Today marks Election Day in the 197th district in North Philadelphia. The special election to replace Rep. Leslie Acosta (D) is underway after two months of door-to-door campaigning. Cheri Honkala, a long-time progressive activist for the homeless and the poor, is hoping for an upset victory via a write-in campaign—something that is rare, but not unprecedented.

Honkala is not new to voting for herself. She ran for Sheriff of Philadelphia in 2011, and was the Green Party's Vice Presidential nominee in 2012. "This time is different," Michael Denis, deputy campaign manager, "This time, she is being backed by a large cross-section of people—not just Greens, but prominent Democrats as well."

Cheri Honkala is running a serious write-in campaign for State Representative in the 197th District. She announced her race on January 31 and has been tirelessly seeking the people's vote ever since, gaining a key endorsement from Our Revolution.

"We have been out here talking with the people of this district every day since this election was called in late January," said Honkala.

"The voters want a change from the same old-same old," she added, referring to Acosta's resignation after turning state's evidence because of a felony conviction.

"At the end of the day, the voters have three choices," said Edgardo Gonzalez, Honkala's campaign chairman. "Do they want a Republican who is with the Party of Trump, do they want another machine Democrat after the last two resigned in scandal, or do they want a woman who has been putting herself out there for the people for over 30 years? I know who I'm voting for today and it's Cheri Honkala."

Honkala was denied a ballot position due to a technical error. The Democratic Party, which lost this seat due to corruption, is also mounting a write-in campaign with Emilio Vazquez, a little known employee of the Philadelphia Parking Authority. The Democrat's first choice, Freddie Ramirez, was kicked off the ballot after it was discovered that he did not live in the district.

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