WEST CHESTER — Chester County Democrats are on the verge of a fourth consecutive year of historic wins as they gathered at Stetson Middle School Tuesday night to endorse their slate for the April 28 Primary. Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan accepted the first endorsement of the 15 races on the docket, six of which were contested. Christina Hartman won the 65% endorsement threshold for PA Auditor General from a field of six candidates.
“It’s not a good time to be a Republican in Chester County,” remarked Chester County Democratic Committee Chair Dick Bingham at the end of the smoothly run Convention. Representatives from all corners of Chester County packed the school auditorium with standing-room-only crowds along the corridors.
Endorsed candidates generating 65% or more of ballots cast were:
6th Congressional District: Chrissy Houlahan (Incumbent)
PA Attorney General: Josh Shapiro (Incumbent)
PA Treasurer: Joe Torsella (Incumbent)
PA Auditor General: Christina Hartman
9th District PA Senate: Brett Burman
19th District PA Senate: Don Vymazal
13th District PA Representative: Richard Ruggieri
26th District PA Representative: Paul Friel
74th District PA Representative: Dan Williams (Incumbent)
155th District PA Representative: Danielle Friel Otten (Incumbent)
156th District PA Representative: Carolyn Comitta (Incumbent)
157th District PA Representative: Melissa Shusterman (Incumbent)
158th District PA Representative: Christina Sappey (Incumbent)
160th District PA Representative: Anton Andrew
167th District PA Representative: Kristine Howard (Incumbent)
“The ripple effect for change from one-party rule,” noted Bingham, “began in 2017 when we elected four County Row Officers. In 2018 Chester County voters chose to go “blue” — electing six Democrats of the nine PA state Representative seats and sending the first Democrat to Congress from the 6th District. Everyone knows what happened last year. For the first time, ever, Chester County government turned solid blue from the Commissioners to the many row offices. I am confident 2020 will be another trailblazing year for our county citizens.”
“That enthusiasm will only grow as the Presidential races come to Pennsylvania and to Chester County. We are already seeing an uptick in activity with house parties, rallies and a strong petition signing turnout as our district members run to be Delegates to the summer DNC Convention.”
The difference between registered Chester County Republican voters versus registered Democratic voters has dwindled remarkedly over the last three years, leaving Republicans with a slim 5,000 voter advantage. This is down from more than 20,000 just a few years ago.
Tuesday, April 28 is the Pennsylvania Primary. The last day for residents to register to vote for the primary is April 13. Mail-in and Absentee ballots are available from Chester County Voter Services. With the new election laws, known as Act 77, taking place this spring, ballots may be returned to Voter Services up until 8 pm on April 28 as polls close.
The General Election is Tuesday, November 3.
