Val Arkoosh

Valerie A. Arkoosh (

Arkoosh formerly served on the board of health of Montgomery County. Arkoosh unsuccessfully ran to represent Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district in 2014 and for the United States Senate in 2022.

Education and medical career Arkoosh earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Northwestern University in 1982 and a doctorate from University of Nebraska College of Medicine in 1986. From 2010 to 2012, she was president of the NPA as it supported the passage of the Affordable Care Act and healthcare as a human right. Arkoosh also chaired the Board of Health of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania from 2011 to 2014. She came in fourth place in the Democratic primary, losing to eventual winner Brendan Boyle.

Montgomery County commissioner In January 2015, was appointed to a vacated seat on the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. She was elected to a full term the following November. During her time on the Board of Commissioners, she served alongside future Attorney General and Governor Josh Shapiro. She was given a second term as chair in 2020 after being reelected in 2019. As chair, Arkoosh instituted a fifteen dollars per hour minimum wage and paid parental leave for county employees. She received the endorsement of EMILY's List. Arkoosh dropped out of the race in February 2022 after receiving just 17 votes of support out of the 290 Pennsylvania Democratic Committeemen.

Secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Human Services In January 2023, Arkoosh was nominated by governor-elect Josh Shapiro to serve as secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. She automatically became full secretary on June 29 after the Pennsylvania State Senate failed to act within the constitutionally prescribed 25-legislative-day period to confirm her nomination. In the first year of her leadership, Arkoosh directed the department to eliminate a two-year Medicaid enrollment backlog and increased the coverage for doulas and medicine for homeless people.

Personal life Arkoosh lives in Springfield Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Jeffrey Harbison,

Electoral history