From Math Teacher to Scientific Advisor to Congress with Lucia Simonelli (PA-01)

In this episode of Beyond the Campaign, host Michelle Glogovac interviews Lucia Simonelli, a mathematician turned climate policy advocate and congressional candidate in Pennsylvania. Lucia shares her journey from mathematics to politics, what inspired her to run for Congress, and why urgent systemic change is needed to address climate change, electoral reform, and government accountability. The conversation explores the intersection of science and policy, the future of climate leadership, and how new voices can reshape American politics.What We're Talking About...Lucia Simonelli’s journey from mathematician to climate policy advocate and Pennsylvania congressional candidateWhy systemic political change is critical in the 2026 election cycleClimate change as a top issue in U.S. politics and upcoming electionsThe impact of dark money in elections and political influence in AmericaHow community engagement and grassroots organizing shape successful political campaignsChapters00:00 Introduction to Lucia Simonelli02:07 The Motivation Behind Running for Congress04:04 Background and Experience in Policy07:04 The Importance of Qualifications in Politics10:08 The Role of Congress in National Representation13:00 Deciding to Run: A Personal Journey19:05 The Intersectionality of Climate Change25:15 The Challenges of Political Engagement29:17 How to Support Lucia's Campaign30:22 The Impact of Dark Money in Politics30:51 Engaging with Elected Officials and Community AdvocacyLinks MentionedLucia Simonelli's campaign website: http://www.luciaforcongress.com