Christina Hartman
LANCASTER — After surprising much of the local political world with both her ability to raise funds and attract voter support in a heavily Republican Congressional district in 2016, Christina Hartman announced Tuesday she would again seek the Democratic nomination for the seat in 2018.
Hartman lost a competitive race against current freshman U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker in the 16th District.
Hartman made the announcement Tuesday with a rally in Penn Square to announce her decision to run again.
Hartman will face at least one primary challenger, Dr. John George, a Lancaster County education advocate. She defeated a total of four other candidates in the 2016 Democratic primary.
As evidenced already by the high number of Democrats getting in area congressional races — including high-profile candidates such as state Sen. Daylin Leach, who announced his run for the 7th District last week — 2018 is seen by many political experts as being very favorable for Democratic candidates.
After to her 2016 campaign, Hartman appears even more motivated to run.
“My decision today is about a job left unfinished,” Hartman said. “I’m running for Congress to protect the healthcare of millions of Americans, to embrace into our community those who are seeking refuge, and to stop Wall Street from preying on ordinary Americans for its own relentless greed.”
With an increasingly unpopular and scandal-ridden Trump Administration, as well as a deeply unpopular healthcare bill that would potentially cut Medicaid and threaten coverage for older folks and those with pre-existing conditions, Hartman said that she and her campaign need little motivation to get down to work.
“Our work isn’t done yet,” Hartman said. “I’m excited to say that we’re going to finish the job and flip this seat in 2018.”
Hartman has led a number of area non-profits and focused on both national and international policy in her career.
