Meet the Three Pennsylvania Lawmakers Speaking at the DNC Tonight

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and Congressmen Brendan Boyle and Conor Lamb are considered “rising stars” in the Democratic Party.

The Democratic National Convention has been reimagined for 2020. While the ongoing pandemic has created the need for a virtual convention, the party has also transformed its Keynote address by offering 17 “rising stars” in the party the opportunity to speak, including three from Pennsylvania: Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-2); state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, (D-181); and Congressman Conor Lamb (PA-17).

These Pennsylvanian lawmakers are using their voices and political policies to pave the way toward the future of the state.

Congressman Brendan Boyle

Rep. Brendan Boyle represents Pennsylvania’s 2nd congressional district, which covers northern Philadelphia. Prior to being elected to Congress, he was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Rep. Boyle has worked to champion working and middle-class families, focusing on social and economic justice issues.

The son of a janitor and school crossing guard, he became the first member of his family to go to college. Since being elected, he has focused on fighting cuts to public and higher education. 

Aside from his focus on protecting funding for education, Boyle also actively works to support equal rights for the LBGTQ community. During his first term in office, he was a founding member of the LGBT Equality Caucus. He has also voted in favor of legislation that prohibits discrimination based on sexual and gender identity of Pennsylvanians in the workplace and housing.

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta

Malcolm Kenyatta has served as state representative for Philadelphia County in the 181st District since the November 2018 election. Despite his brief time as an elected official, Rep. Kenyatta has emerged as a notable member of the PA House, holding several leadership positions in different committees. He is the first openly LGBTQ person of color to the General Assembly and actively works toward creating an inclusive society for Pennsylvanians.

Kenyatta has a long history of social activism, dating back to his youth when he served as the junior block captain for the Philadelphia Streets Program. Since being in office, he has supported raising the minimum wage, protecting workers’ rights and has taken measures to address generational poverty and enact common sense measures to address gun violence.  

As part of his ardent support of mental healthcare access, Kenyatta also serves as a member of the Governor’s Taskforce on Suicide Prevention.  

Congressman Conor Lamb

Rep. Conor Lamb represents Pennsylvania’s 17th District. Native to the Pittsburgh suburb of Mt. Lebanon, Lamb’s family has been active in local politics for years. 

Lamb, an advocate for justice and a crusader in the fight against the opioid epidemic, served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Justice Department’s Pittsburgh office. Prior to that, he was active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Lamb takes a strong stance on violent crime. He has a track record of prosecuting those involved with opioid-related deaths and drug and gun trafficking. In his commitment to upholding and ensuring justice, Lamb prosecuted and convicted a Marine officer who had lied under oath about a sexual misconduct case.

Lamb has strived to protect Social Security and Medicare, and has actively worked to make health care more affordable.

He is interested in fighting for good jobs as the Chair of the Congressional Steel Caucus, and uses his own military experience to help veterans by serving as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.