I help out with the PA House Democratic Campaign Committee in Harrisburg, and I am thrilled to see people showing interest in defeating Republican incumbents in Philly and the suburbs. I've posted contact info below to help you connect up with Democratic candidates for the state House. The Philly region is the best example of what a recent post by DanielUA correctly said about poll numbers: Pennsylvania Wants Democrats in the State House
Majority is within reach
We are only eight seats away from taking the majority back. And with the stomping that Rendell and Casey are going to deliver to Swann and Santorum at the top of the ticket in Southeast PA, that is definitely doable.
Congress in the balance
Taking back the state House now would put us in solid position to hold onto it and avoid another Republican gerrymander of PA's congressional seats after the 2010 census.
In the short term
And there's a lot at stake in the short term, too. I can't begin to tell you how much right-wing nonsense the state House passes or wastes time on, just to keep the Republican base happy -- things that only get stopped because Rendell threatens to veto them or intervenes. We're talking voter-suppression, anti-gay legislation, the "TABOR" arbitrary budget cap, and much more.
PA House Republicans' shift to the right
The truly alarming thing is that several wins by far-right challengers in the May primary mean the House Republicans of 2007-08 will be further right than the current bunch. The only question is whether they will be in charge or in the minority. The small group of moderate Republicans won't be driving the agenda.
The shift we need instead
Instead of having to fight and pressure and holler to get common-sense legislation passed, like the first state minimum wage increase in nine years, it would be a different state House under Democratic control. Instead of having to wait until the end of the term for good news like this -- PA House votes to ban mandatory overtime for health care workers -- those good proposals would be high priorities.
YOUR LOCAL CANDIDATES
Philadelphia
Three of the four Republican-held House seats in the city have a Democrat on the ballot. So if you agree with a recent YPP poster that Speaker Perzel and other Republicans in Philly deserve to face much stronger challenges for re-election than they have in the past, now's your chance to help these three challengers:
- 170th District: Brendan Boyle, who's running against Rep. George Kenney - www.voteboyle.com.
- 172nd District: Perzel's challenger, Tim Kearney - www.kearney2006.com.
- 177th District: Harry Enggasser, running against Rep. John Taylor. Enggasser doesn't have a website, BUT you can reach him at 215-743-4703 or henggasser@yahoo.com.
Bucks County
Follow this link and click on a candidate's name for his or her website.
Chester County
Follow this link. If there isn't a link for a particular state House candidate, you may need to go to the House Democratic Campaign Committee website.
Delaware County
Click here for local candidates.
Montgomery County
Click here for local candidates.
A final note
And if you live in the 169th District and you're not happy that Rep. Dennis O'Brien is unopposed, why not run next time? It takes about 600 signatures on petitions to make sure you definitely have the 300 valid signatures needed to get on the ballot.
Across PA, Democrats are running dozens of great candidates in competitive Republican-held seats. You can find the entire statewide candidate list at the PA House Democratic Campaign Committee.
Here Is One Way to Help Democratic State Rep. Candidates
This is a good opportunity to mention that Ken Weinsten and I are going to be holding a fund raiser for three Democratic challengers to Republican incumbents: Brendan Boyle in the 170th district, Olivia Brady in the 150th district, and Rick Taylor in the 151st district. It is Sunday, October 29, 2006, from 6:30-8:00 PM, at my home. (I don’t want to post my address here. You can get details if you email me at MarcStier@stier.net.) State Representatives Cherelle Parker and Josh Shaprio—who we supported at a fundraiser last year—will be speaking. We are asking hosts to contribute $500, special supporters $250, and supporters $75. We are willing to cut a special deal for young, impoverished, activists. And we will feed you a light dinner, too.
My own take on the very strong possibility for taking back the state house can be found at www.stier.net/blog.
Volunteer! Volunteer!
When you consider the fact that I'm a professional Organizer and this is what I do full time, some think it's sort of sick and twisted that I've been at Rendell's four or five hours a week doing nothing but making calls to try to drum up volunteers for his campaign. But I have. In fact, I've stepped it up to more like 12 hours of week from now through the end of the campaign.
I'm doing it because Rendell is the candidate I can vote on that I actually feel good about. He's also the one that can lead the way to a wider Democratic victory for the state, by turning out Dems in big numbers. I'm also doing it because I find the campaign environment invigorating, the other volunteers awesome and I can just feel the social capital bubbling up as I pound the phones there.
So, while I'd love to have YPP'ers join me at the super-fun Rendell phone bank (call Jackie at 215.545.3189 to sign up), I'm really writing this to say that you should get out and start logging some hours SOMEWHERE. Ben's giving you a lot of great resources above for places to go log some time. I know they'd love to have you help them knock on doors. They'll all be out this weekend doing it.
Then there's Ray's efforts in the Philly Against Santorum. I know he'd plug you in tout de suite if you asked him. Of you could go straight to the Casey campaign (I mean, I guess), because they're probably doing something. Who knows? Not that they have any visibility in my part of Philadelphia... but maybe they have something for you to do.
Anyway, not to get too snarked out... my point is that political volunteering is GREAT and you should do it. Personally, I had a very fun time at the Patrick Murphy campaign, but it was too much of a drive for me. If you live in Bucks County or the Northeast, I highly recommend logging some time out there.
Do it! Do it! Do it! Get out and help!!!
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BradyDale OnLine
Here Is Another
On November 1 Tony Payton and I are holding a fund raiser for Brendan Boyle and Bryan Lentz at Finnigan's Wake in Northern Liberties. Minimum contribution of $50.00 is requested, but a smaller donation will certainly be accepted!!! This is a fantastic chance to help these 2 great candidates with their final push toward the finish line. The idea is to spilt the donations 50-50 so please try and make it out.
P.S.-Hey Marc, whats for dinner????
Gruel
Gruel. We're saving the money for the campaigns.
Seriously, not sure yet. Some of the folks who were at the fundraiser I did for Donna Edwards are pining for crepes again. I don't know if we can do that with a much bigger crowd.
We shall see.
By the way, Donna who is a champion of net neutrality who ran against an opponent of net neutrality, conceded after a recount. She lost by very little in her campaign against a long term incumbent. I think she is gearing up now for 2008.