Statement from Berks County Dems

from the chair of the Berks County Democrats:

Dear Committee and Democratic Activists,

The Primary election is behind us and my heartfelt thanks to all of you who worked hard in support of our candidates.  Turnout Statewide was not great, but a good consolation is that the Republican turnout was even worse. Governor Corbett got less votes than the Lt. Governor and for a sitting incumbent that is telling of the support he has statewide.

Democrats are now excited to rally behind our Governor Candidate Tom Wolf and Lt. Governor Candidate Mike Stack. Tom Wolf was the decisive victor in every County in the State. We now will work doubly hard to retire one-term Tom Corbett and send our candidate, Tom Wolf, to Harrisburg.

Locally, our Party worked to make sure we have good candidates to send to the legislature. Tom Caltagrione and Mark Rozzi will return. Fred Sheeler is our nominee in the new 5^th Legislative District and Russ Diesinger will run in the 130^th. Kathy Cozzone will run for the 44^th Senatorial seat and Jack Hanson garnered the votes needed in Montgomery County to be our Candidate for the 24^th Senatorial seat.

For Congress we have a wonderful candidate for the 16^th CD in Tom Houghton, supported by all three County Chairs. Hats off to the City Committee who helped him get on the ballot and win the primary. Mary Ellen Balchunis will run in the highly gerrymandered 7^th CD having a small part of Berks, but 36,000 votes is still no small amount. Manan Trivedi will run in the open seat in the 6^th CD. All our candidates are top notch and we are committed to doing what it takes to win in November. I am asking all of us to pull out the stops and do what we must to help them win for all of us.

At the Committee level, we returned myself and Rosie Skomitz to State Committee. The rest of our delegation is brand new. Rosie and I look forward to working with our fellow delegates Patti, Peter, Chris, Rebecca and Isamac at the State Party Level. As State Committee members, they are automatically members of our County Committee. We look forward to working with everyone at the State Party level to move our agenda forward. It takes many years to develop the relationships needed to move issues and agendas and we trust our new State Committee members will take the time needed to meet their fellow State members and develop those relationships to the good fortune of Berks County.

On the County Committee side most of those who filed a petition were elected and there are many write-ins that Election Services must canvass and certify.

I look forward to continuing to work with everyone as we continue to build the party. We have a wonderful County Committee who loves a spirited debate and enjoys each other’s fellowship as we work to better our community, our County and our movement.

In closing, I want to again thank you all for all the hard work you’ve done these past four years. We have made significant advances in our goals and with electing Democrats to public office. However, the work is always ongoing and together, we will get it done. For me, you are more than fellow committee people and friends, you are family. Thank you for all you do.

Best Personal Regards,
Tom Herman, Chairman