Candidate profile: Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz

JENKINTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- The Pennsylvania primary is in just seven days. The biggest race is for the Democratic nomination to run for governor. Action News is profiling all four of the candidates this week.

Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz is one of two people in this race hoping to become the first female governor of Pennsylvania.

She believes the wrong person is serving right now. "I know how to get things done and will fight on issues that really matter. We have a governor who his failed leadership has really hurt Pennsylvania," Schwartz said.

Schwartz earned a master's at Bryn Mawr College and has represented the 13th Congressional District for nearly a decade.

She entered the race as the front runner to grab the Democratic nomination, but lost that distinction months ago.

Her top priorities are nurturing a better economy and improving education.

"I'm not just saying I'm interested in education, I have been the Democratic chair of the Education Committee, I have fought for and succeeded in getting funding for full-day kindergarten. I worked on pre-school," Schwartz said.

Schwartz is from Queens, born to a Holocaust survivor and a veteran of the Korean War.

She has championed women's rights, having helped found a women's health clinic in Philadelphia and promises to break through what she calls the "Old Boys Club" in Harrisburg.

"People are very excited to see me and they said, "maybe, it's time for a woman, you go and take care of business." That's exactly what I'm planning to do," Schwartz said.

We found Schwartz working the phones, making her case personally from her campaign office in Jenkintown.

The Pennsylvania primary is on Tuesday, May 20th.

Action News is profiling all four Democratic candidates for governor.