Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Democrats gather to endorse candidates
Nominations and speeches for a variety of offices were heard
WEST GOSHEN — Manan Trivedi bested Michael D. Parrish for the party endorsement Saturday of Chester County Democrats for Congress in the Sixth Congressional District.
State Treasurer Rob McCord was endorsed for governor over four other rivals, effectively ratifying the support earlier offered by party Chairman Michelle Vaughn.
Downingtown Mayor Josh Maxwell was endorsed over Caln Commissioner Josh Young for the Democratic nomination for state representative in the new 74th District.
The meeting at Fugett Middle School dragged through the afternoon as nominations and speeches for a variety of offices were entertained.
The congressional endorsement was showcased, gaining in prominence following the surprising decision in January by Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach of West Pikeland to retire.
Parrish, a businessman from Malvern, made his intention to become the next challenger to Gerlach back in November. He lined up support from national Democrats to run in the district, composed of large parts of northern Chester County with portions of Berks, Lebanon and Montgomery counties thrown in.
But Gerlach’s decision to drop out pulled Trivedi into the race at the urging of Democrats from within the district. The Reading area doctor was solidly defeated by Gerlach in 2010. He ran much closer during the presidential election of 2012, but admitted to the crowd in
the school auditorium it took the open seat to lure him back into the contest.
The Republican candidate for Congress is expected to be Chester County Commissioners Chairman Ryan Costello, who was endorsed by Chester County Republicans Wednesday.
Parrish, a former Republican who has been criticized for switching parties to run, noted he made his decision to run before Gerlach retired. He said he made his decision to become a Democrat because he felt the Republican Party had abandoned his concerns over the environment, women’s rights and middle class. He noted support from U.S. Sen. Robert Casey and former U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak. He said the “last straw” was the government shutdown by Republicans in the fall.
Trivedi, meanwhile, told the crowd that he had grown as a candidate after his two previous runs. He compared his candidacy to his baby daughter’s attempts at learning to walk, saying he had learned lessons of not to give up. The retirement of Gerlach opens up the contest without the burden of the incumbent’s name recognition. He emphasized his commitment to “Democratic values” and a belief in government “led the right way”.
Both candidates were received warmly, but the delegate vote was 120 to 42.
Both candidates will petition to run in the May 20 primary for the party nomination. It was unclear if the political committees in the other counties plan to endorse, which is merely a recommendation from active party members.
Chester County Democratic Chairman Michelle Vaughn said the formal endorsement of McCord by the party was the only one thus far in southeastern Pennsylvania and possibly the only one in the state.
The state party was unable to endorse earlier in the year among McCord, U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz, Tom Wolf of York County, former DEP Secretary John Hanger and former DEP Secretary Katie McGinty of Tredyffrin. A primary between Maxwell and Young promises to be the biggest local dispute.
The 74th Assembly District runs from the Downingtown area through the Coatesville area. It was created through redistricting when Chester County was awarded another seat in the Legislature because of its increase in population. It is nominally Democratic in registration.
The committee representatives from the area huddled in a corner of the auditorium to hear briefly from the candidates and supporters before voting. Maxwell received 22 votes and Young 15. The 59 percent tally for Maxwell passed the 55 percent needed for a party endorsement — a brag- ging point to voters for the May primary.
In their comments to committee members both emphasized their present service and commitment to their communities.
Former State Rep. Tom Houghton of London Grove won support to run for Congress in the 16th District against Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts of East Marlborough. The bulk of the district is Lancaster County. A portion is also in Berks. It is heavily Republican.
Earlier in the day, Houghton won endorsement from Democrats in that county for his candidacy.
Speaking enthusiastically and with a broad smile, Houghton told Democrats that the first rule in running against Pitts in the district was to end “eye rolling” by Democrats over the contest. “My fellow Democrats, I insanely believe I can win,” he said to cheers from the audience. Getting people to believe, Houghton said, was the first step toward doing it.
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