Second Generation Endorses Claudette Williams
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) – Second Generation, the federal political action committee that seeks to empower immigrant communities in the political process, announced the endorsement of Claudette Williams of Monroe County, Pennsylvania, who is running for state representative in the 176th district.
“We are very impressed with Claudette Williams’ record of service to her family, her community, and our country,” said Siobhan Lyons, Chair of Second Generation. “Through her selflessness and commitment, Claudette Williams has shown herself to be exactly the kind of leader we need more of in Harrisburg.”
Williams, who lives in Mount Pocono, was born in Jamaica and immigrated to the United States at an early age. A mother of four and Army veteran with 30 years of military service, Sergeant Major (ret.) Williams currently serves as President of the Mount Pocono Borough Council, Police Commissioner, and Chair of the Monroe County Democratic Committee.
“The endorsement of Second Generation means the world to me. Second Generation affirms the underlying truth of the United States - that we are a nation built by immigrants. This endorsement recognizes the sacrifice of immigrants like my mother, who brought me and my siblings to the United States so we could have a better life and help others,” said Williams. “The lessons I learned from my mother guided me through 30 years of military service, and they will help me to continue to serve the people of my community as their representative in Harrisburg.”
Claudette Williams’ 2020 candidacy has its roots in the momentum she built during her campaign for the same office in 2018, when she proved herself a formidable challenger to the Republican incumbent. The 176th is an increasingly diverse district: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans make up over 25 percent of the population, and nearly 8 percent of residents are foreign born.
Through endorsements and financial resources, Second Generation promotes the political engagement of immigrant communities that have not been fully included in the political process where they live. Last year, SecGen’s inaugural slate propelled the historic victories of trailblazers like Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and Chester County Prothonotary Debbie Bookman. Other 2020 SecGen endorsements include Nina Ahmad, running for Pennsylvania Auditor General, and Nikil Saval, running to represent the First Senatorial District of Pennsylvania.