Tim Briggs Campaign Kick-Off

Tim Briggs, Democratic candidate for the 149th state house district, formally kicked off his campaign today. Formally is the correct word to use politically but it is not an accurate description of the event itself. It was billed as “family friendly.” You must understand that normally at political events this means if your children can sit quietly and not fidget throughout the entire thing then you can bring them. My children, as one store clerk politely referred to them, are “spirited” and therefore left at home. But Briggs was serious; my kids could actually have attended this and not seem out of place. There were, as advertised, face painters. And good ones. I counted at least ten different designs, more than twice the number you usually see, and they were well done. Most children had at least one cheek decorated. There were also crafts for the kids to do. Children moved through the crowd with ease. Balloons and plastic airplanes were shared, horded, tossed, and otherwise dealt with.

There were, of course, other politicos in attendance. Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, State Senator Connie Williams, Dan Wofford, Frank Custer (candidate for the 61st state house district), Ed Cheri (who ran for county sheriff in 2007), and Councilwoman JoAnn Gadzicki of Bridgeport. Hoeffel introduced Williams who then reintroduced Hoeffel who introduced Briggs. My view was partially blocked but at one point when Hoeffel was talking I think a small child was trying to dive bomb his shoe with a plastic airplane. Joe didn’t miss a beat.

Briggs is a good but not overly polished speaker. He has a long record of public service and has worked for several elected officials. Briggs said he didn’t want to represent just the Democrats of the district but the entire district, and was reaching out to Republicans also. Briggs thanked his cousins for doing the face painting and his sisters and cousins for providing the desserts. I have to put in a word here for the rice krispie treats. I think they are the best I have ever eaten. Kudos to whichever of his sisters made them.

The event was well-attended by a diverse group, suits and jeans, a scattering of racial and ethnic groups, blue collar and white collar, old and young. What most impressed me, and I was impressed, was the attitude of the people there. All of the conversations I took part in or overheard were cordial and seldom dealt with politics. It was mostly just people talking. I had a great time. It was more like a church dinner or extended family gathering than a political rally. Judging a candidate or a campaign by one event isn’t a good idea so I’ll be looking for opportunities to try his sister’s rice krispie treats again.