Affordable Pennsylvania Launches Ads Featuring Small Business Owners Struggling Under the Weight of Rising Costs, Inaction by Congress
July 28, 2025
WASHINGTON – Today, Affordable Pennsylvania, a project of the Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy (CFFE), launched a new ad calling out Congressman Ryan Mackenzie for supporting President Trump’s reckless trade policy as local businesses in his district struggle with rising costs. The Affordable Pennsylvania campaign aims to hold elected officials in the state accountable for breaking their promises to lower costs for working families and convince them to reverse course.
CFFE executive director Sondra Goldschein spoke to the Washington Post about the ad, and said, “Pennsylvanians deserve to know that their Republican Congress members told them one thing, then went to Washington and did something else. And that education — and accountability — has begun and must continue.”
Launched this morning, “Afford” features local business owner Mike Woodland, whose camera shop has been serving the community for nearly 50 years. In the spot, Mike calls out Rep. Mackenzie for supporting the extreme Trump tariffs and calls on him to start putting Pennsylvania families first. Mike’s story will also be highlighted in a Spanish-language radio spot in the region.
Afford is the second ad in Affordable Pennsylvania’s $4 million accountability campaign across radio, TV, digital and print media. Earlier this month, the group released “Andrea,” which tells the story of a Harrisburg-based coffee shop owner who feels betrayed by Rep. Perry’s failure to speak out against Trump’s trade war and decision to prioritize the ultra-wealthy over the needs of small businesses like hers.
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The Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy is fighting for a future where all people can afford to care for themselves and their loved ones. We do this by building political power to pass policies that lower costs for families, like paid family and medical leave, quality, affordable child care and elder care.