Portraits of PA

The faces and issues that connect us.

Portraits of PA is a rotating photo gallery produced by the PA Senate Democrats. We aim to connect with Pennsylvanians on a deeper level to explore issues that impact their daily lives. These are your neighbors, your family, your friends, your community. By bringing these issues to life, and sharing these stories, we hope to create real, meaningful and lasting change.

Portraits of PA: Faces of the Affordable Care Act

The PA Senate Democrats toured the state to enroll folks in healthcare coverage. We were able to connect with and enroll hundreds of Pennsylvanians. These are just some of the folks we had the privilege of meeting during this initiative. We learned so much from them – how important healthcare is to them and their families, what it feels like to be without insurance, what it’s like to not be able to afford premiums, and so much more. By partnering with the Department of Insurance and certified navigators, we were able to answer questions, take people through the enrollment process, and, in many cases, reduce monthly payments for health insurance.

Pam Macey

Denise Shardlow

Phil Klassner

“10 years without insurance and I got a plan for $2.22 per month.”

Tim Rounsville

“10 years without insurance and I got a plan for $2.22 per month.”

Bob Goode

“It should be important to everyone but as we age we have to emphasize it more.”

Nisa Ra

“It should be important to everyone but as we age we have to emphasize it more.”

Deborah Doran

“It’s very important, you need it.”

Gerard Healey

Chris Fritz

John F McGowan

“I don’t want to loose everything”

Charles Thrush

Bob Shaw

Nate Person

“It means a lot that I can afford it and it’s worth it.”

Linda Drey

“It’s everything. You could lose your house you could lose… god, everything. It’s something you can’t go without.”

Amanda Fuller

“The world, I’ve been trying for a year and it took him 25 min. He just swooped down like an angel and saved me.”

John Berta

Sean Nolan

Sam Lombardo

Toni Gallelli

Jatinder Singh

Erick Calarco

Sharon Garvin

Greg Rosetti

Sue Jeffries

Kathy Shaw

Bryant Huff

“What’s it mean to have health insurance? Everything”

Mark Arbegast

“Basically that if I run into issues I can deal with them.”

Jayne Kolesa

“Security. It means a lot.”

Nicholas Ciasullo Jr.

Glenn Kohler

Mark Oleniacz

“I saved $400 a month on Health insurance!”

James Sharknis

Rev. Michael Murray

Nina Carraghan

“Peace of mind.”

Carol Voutsinos

“I don’t want to be a burden on anyone.”

LGBTQ+ Rights are Human Rights. 

On June 28, 1969, a mass protest broke out in front of the Stonewall Inn in New York City against the discriminatory practice of the police raiding bars that were frequented by members of the LGBT community.
The demonstration gathered more attention and community support as members of the community clashed with police forces for the following six days, leading the “Stonewall Riots” to become one of the most-well known catalysts for the LGBT Rights Movement in the United States. 
50 years after this iconic display of community solidarity against discrimination, we recognize and honor the elders of the
LGBT Rights Movement who have lived their lives to ensure that LGBT+ Rights are indeed counted as Human Rights for all. 

The high – and often unattainable – cost of higher education in PA prevents students from acquiring the skills needed to land jobs and secure a stable future. College isn’t even an option for many students and families. The PA Promise is all about making higher education accessible to ALL Pennsylvania students – regardless of their background, race or financial status. We traveled the state to speak with students with a wide variety of backgrounds to better understand their struggles. Check out SenatorHughes.com/PAPromise to watch the videos and learn more.

Portraits of PA: Faces of Women’s History Month

In March, we featured some of the diverse and talented women of the PA Senate Democratic Caucus in honor of Women’s History Month! These women are leaders and role models both in and out of the office and we are so grateful for all that they do. This series, titled “I Am,” showcases some of the words that each woman chose to describe herself.

Chief Regina Price

Portraits of PA: Faces of Black History Month

To honor Black History Month, we traveled the state to meet with community leaders and those making an impact in their neighborhoods. They are your friends, your family, your neighbors, your coworkers. They are coaches, activists, police officers, volunteers, lawyers, writers – but most importantly, they are inspiring the next generation and paving the way for a more fair and just PA.

Cortez Patton

Regina Young

Leon Howard