HD-155: Deuso Looks to Make History

Erica Deuso

Democrat Erica Deuso looks to make history not just once, but twice in her run for the 155th Legislative District seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

The Downingtown resident, making her first venture in Chester County elective politics, looks to upend incumbent state Rep. Danielle Friel-Otten (D-Chester) who is among the best-known of the county’s Democrats.

If that is not difficult enough, Deuso seeks to become the county’s first openly transgender candidate to win election to the General Assembly.

“My goal as a state representative is to bring more than a decade of experience in efficiency to the legislature to make it work better for all Pennsylvanians,” said Deuso in a campaign statement. “The legislative deadlock in Harrisburg is affecting our communities, businesses, and essential services. However, in the business world, you don’t get to choose who you work with, so finding ways to bridge ideologies, experiences, and seniority to find common ground is the only way to get things done. And I am someone who gets things done!”

A Chester County Democratic Committeeperson, Deuso supports increasing the minimum wage to at least $15, expanding comprehensive paid leave by including paid time off and family, sick, and bereavement leave, expanding union rights, attracting green businesses to our district by creating a Green economic zone, protecting small businesses, and promoting apprenticeship programs for students who decide college is not right for them.

Her website says that “As the first openly transgender State Legislator in Pennsylvania, Erica will advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, drawing from her personal experiences of exclusion. She knows that Love is Love, and will protect marriage rights for all. She will work to pass the Pennsylvania Fairness Act, ensure healthcare non-discrimination, combat bullying in schools, and propose legislation to establish Pennsylvania as a Sanctuary State for LGBTQ+ individuals facing discrimination elsewhere.”

Friel-Otten was first elected to the state House in 2018, defeating then-incumbent Republican Becky Corbin, and has twice won reelection, including a 4,000-vote triumph over East Brandywine supervisor Kyle Scribner in 2022. She has yet to announce reelection plans but is expected to do so in the upcoming weeks.

The 155th District comprises the borough of Downingtown along with the townships of Caln, East Brandywine, Upper Uwchlan, Uwchlan, Wallace and West Brandywine. The district could be considered “purple,” as Democrats hold just a 41-39% voter registration lead over Republicans with 19 percent identifying as third-party or independent voters.

An executive with Johnson & Johnson, Deuso holds a BS in Biological Sciences and an MBA in Pharmaceutical Management, both from Drexel University.

One Response

  1. Friel-Otten is such an angry, NASTY person who refuses to constructively work with anyone. She pals around with the miserable Katie Muth. Time to get rid of her for actual progressive leadership and kindness.

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