Article Summary –
The PA Economic Growth PAC, criticized for pushing far-right agendas, achieved significant success in York County school board primary elections, with all but one of its 44 endorsed candidates winning, including securing nominations across party lines for the November 2025 general election. The PAC has faced accusations of promoting controversial policies such as bans on critical race theory and restrictions on transgender athletes, and has been linked to secret meetings that potentially violated the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act. Despite these challenges, some local community members express hope for future elections, emphasizing the importance of public education’s inclusivity and organizing efforts to counteract the PAC’s influence.
Candidates backed by the far-right PA Economic Growth PAC for York County school board elections had significant success on May 20.
The PAC, a nonprofit, claims on its site it aims to maintain freedom and opportunities for independent businesses.
Critics, however, believe it promotes a politics of hate. Candidates endorsed by the PAC reportedly must sign a pledge opposing critical race theory, which isn’t part of K-12 curricula, and to dismiss non-aligned district lawyers. The York Dispatch has tied many controversial school board actions to this pledge.
Out of 44 candidates endorsed by the PAC for 13 school boards, all but one won in the primary elections, earning Republican and, at times, Democratic nominations for the November 2025 general election.
Sandra Gonzalez, backed by the PAC in the West Shore School District that spans York and Cumberland counties, was the only candidate to lose.
Danielle Gross, a parent in that district, finds hope in the results. Gonzalez lost both the Democratic and Republican primaries, where candidates can run in both. However, PAC-endorsed incumbent Kelly Brent won the Republican primary but had fewer votes overall than her opponent, who won the Democratic nomination.
Gross believes Brent will be vulnerable after two years on the West Shore school board.
“It won’t be easy for her,” Gross said. “People dislike the board’s direction. Citizens have filed a Sunshine Act violation against Kelly Brent and others for allegedly choosing a new solicitor secretly.”
The Pennsylvania Sunshine Act mandates open meetings for public agency business.
The PAC faced criticism last year when the York Dispatch revealed emails showing secret meetings between school board members and the PAC.
“No more than 4 — sunshine laws,” wrote Veronica Gemma, ex-Central York board member, and PAC education director, in an email to 12 districts. Her aim was to meet with board members without breaching transparency laws.
Gemma, in an interview with the Epoch Times, detailed her initiative to fill Pennsylvania school boards with conservatives.
“I recruited about 60 conservative Republican candidates to transform school boards nationwide,” she said.
“We’re doing great work in Pennsylvania, aiming to roll back education to pre-critical race theory, DEI, and transgender movements,” Gemma added. “We train elected board members on governance and authority, providing ongoing support.”
The PAC did not respond to a comment request for this story.
Right-wing York County board members, including those endorsed by the PAC, have previously initiated controversial actions. Recently, the West Shore board majority considered a book policy that could ban works by Shakespeare.
The board also voted 9-1 in May to prohibit transgender athletes from joining sports teams that don’t match their birth-assigned gender.
In Cumberland County, the Cumberland Valley School District board faced backlash for initially canceling a gay author’s talk, though it later reversed that decision.
Rachel Zeleny, ex-school board candidate in Southern York County, was disappointed by primary results; Republican candidates nearly doubled Democrats’ votes.
“Not surprising,” Zeleny said. “This area tends to vote Republican. Despite better advertising, outcomes didn’t change.”
Southern York was recently embroiled in controversy when a canceled Black chemist’s mentoring invitation raised racism allegations.
Zeleny noted, “Many don’t connect local political actions to larger issues like Project 2025. Educating them remains crucial.”
Zeleny remains hopeful for the general election. In 2023, Republican candidates won by narrow margins despite similar primary results.
“There were no major canvassing efforts before,” she said. “We had 800-900 Democrats voting; now there are 3,200. We aim to increase turnout.”
Republicans also supported Democrats previously, and Zeleny hopes for similar support.
“I wish we knew which 500 Republicans voted for us, but we can’t access that info,” she joked.
Sarah Reinecker, representing pro-public education candidates in York Suburban School District, was motivated by results showing Democratic candidates with over 1,000 more votes than Republicans. However, she warned against complacency.
“Suburban isn’t immune to these threats,” she said. “This undermines public education’s future.”
“Public education must welcome every child, regardless of background,” Reinecker stated. “Extremists stand for separation and labeling, unacceptable in our district.”
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