Montco's Val Arkoosh Gets Big Endorsement In US Senate Run

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh received another boost in her 2022 U.S. Senate primary campaign this week, landing an endorsement from a significant player in local Democratic politics.

The endorsement from EMILY's List, an organization dedicated to helping elect Democratic, pro-choice women into office, should not as a huge surprise. Arkoosh is one of just two women who have formally declared their candidacy for the open seat, and she was already among the early favorites in the race at large.

"Val shattered glass ceilings when she was the first woman elected as chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners," EMILY's List said in their endorsement. "Pennsylvania has never before elected a woman senator, and we know that Val has what it takes to make history again."

Arkoosh is among a number of prominent Democrats running for the seat being vacated by retiring Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey.

The endorsement not only brings more fundraising power and attention to Arkoosh's campaign, but it could help sway other establishment Democrats who could determine who wins this tight primary. It comes just over a week after two other prominent female politicians from southeastern Pennsylvania, recently-elected U.S. Congresswomen Madeleine Dean and Chrissy Houlahan, declined to throw their hats in the ring.

At the time, that announcement gave Arkoosh a clearer path to earning the lion's share of votes in her heavily populated home region, where she has strong name recognition. She'll need it in order to stand up to a challenge from Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who is from western Pennsylvania and is primed to pick up votes in Allegheny County. Fetterman is also far better known around the state, although Arkoosh raised her profile during the pandemic, which hit Montgomery County particularly hard in the early going.

There's also still the matter of the moderate Rep. Connor Lamb, who has not yet announced his candidacy but who whose bipartisan appeal could siphon votes from both Arkoosh and Fetterman.

The 2022 race is seen as crucial in determining the balance of power in the U.S. Senate, as Pennsylvania is the only state won by President Joe Biden in 2020 which has a seat up for grabs. The Cook Political Report has labeled the race a "toss-up." Republican candidates include Jeff Bartos, Kathy Barnette, and Sean Gale.

Arkoosh is among a number of prominent Democrats running for the seat being vacated by retiring Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey.