[VT | Philadelphia | Sept. 16, 2025] The 314 Action Fund today announced the endorsement of 25 new downballot candidates across 12 states, bringing the total number of supported local candidates to over 150. This slate includes three Guardians of Public Health — a physician, a nurse, and an advanced nurse practitioner — who are stepping up to serve their communities.
These endorsements are part of 314 Action’s ongoing mission to support candidates with a medical and scientific background, aiming to elect 100 new doctors up and down the ballot by 2030. The new slate highlights the organization’s commitment to developing a pipeline of Democratic leaders dedicated to protecting science and healthcare.
Among the new endorsements are two candidates running in Florida’s 2025 legislative special elections:
- Ash Marwah, Florida Senate District 11
- Rob Long, Florida House District 90
Shaughnessy Naughton, President of 314 Action, stated:
“Science and healthcare are under unprecedented attack. To meet this moment, we need pro-science leaders at the state and local levels — they are our last line of defense. We’re proud to endorse this new group of doctors and scientists answering the call to serve their communities. With thousands of state and municipal seats up for grabs, we are doing everything we can to support these candidates and ensure that offices across the country are filled with Democratic doctors and scientists.”
Selected Endorsed Candidates by State
- Colorado (CO): Claire Carmelia, Mayor of Westminster; Kevin Leung, Senate District 30; Tiffany Rhodes, Salida School District
- Florida (FL): Ash Marwah, Senate District 11; Rob Long, House District 90
- Indiana (IN): Logan Patberg, House District 76
- Massachusetts (MA): Jeovanny Rodriguez, Lawrence City Council; Lydia King, Salem City Council
- Minnesota (MN): Catherine Diamond, ISD 196; Cathy Abene, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board; Diane Desotelle, Duluth City Council; Georgiana May, Falcon Heights City Council; Heidi Kader, ISD 284; Kimberly Wilburn, Minnetonka City Council
- Montana (MT): Reggie Spaulding, House District 92
- North Carolina (NC): Victoria Watlington, Charlotte City Council
- New Hampshire (NH): Matthew Gerding, Mayor of Somersworth
- Ohio (OH): Jessica Anderson, Ashtabula Area Board of Education; Nadia Rasul, Hillard City Council; Nidhi Satiani, Upper Arlington City School District
- Oregon (OR): Jamie Collins, Deschutes County Commissioner
- Pennsylvania (PA): Eileen Ming, Township Board of Supervisors; Stephanie DerOhannessian, Bethel Township Board of Supervisors
- Washington (WA): Peter Kwon, King County Council; Sam Doyle, Mountlake Terrace City Council
314 Action Fund is the only national organization dedicated to recruiting, training, and electing Democratic scientists at all levels of government — from the U.S. Senate to local school boards. The organization is supported by a grassroots community of over six million people committed to electing scientists and healthcare professionals who use science and facts to address today’s most urgent challenges.
