Ciresi wants another shot at Quigley
TRAPPE » Joined by supporters and family in historic Trappe Borough, Democrat Joe Ciresi officially launched his 2018 campaign for State Representative in the 146th Dist.
That seat is currently held by Republican Tom Quigley, who has not yet announced whether he will seek re-election but is expected to announce soon that he will run for another term.
Ciresi ran against Quigley in the 2016 election and lost by about
600 votes.
“The stakes are too high for Pennsylvanians for me to sit this one out and concede control to an increasingly extreme-right House,” Ciresi said.
Ciresi is getting support from some high-profile Democrats in Montgomery County.
Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Val Arkoosh said, “the energy around the county is extraordinary right now. Ken and I need partners in Harrisburg, and I’m looking forward to having a great partner in Joe — in Harrisburg.”
Commissioner Ken Lawrence said, “I think we’re all fed up. This November, we need to win 100 percent (of seats) and we need to start right here.”
On the issues, Ciresi’s priorities include a higher minimum wage, public education investments, property tax reform, environmental protection and
women’s health.
“We have a $2.2 billion structural budget deficit, yet Pennsylvania remains the only state without an extraction tax on natural gas. Solutions are out there,” Ciresi said.
“We need representatives who will stand up to corporate interests, work across the aisle where possible and do the right thing,” he said.
Ciresi, 47, served on the school board of the SpringFord Area School District
for 12 years, including four years as president. During his time, Spring-Ford moved into the top 2 percent of districts in the state while reducing debt.
Ciresi, a resident of Limerick with his wife and son, works as the director of sales and promotions at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
The Montgomery County Democratic Committee endorsed Ciresi at its Feb. 15 nominating convention. He is also endorsed by the
Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 234; IBEW Local 98; Plumbers Local 690; Boilermakers Local 13; and Sheet Metal Workers Local 19.
In addition to Arkoosh and Lawrence, the following elected officials joined the campaign at
Trappe Tavern: Montgomery County Treasurer Jason Salus; State Rep. Mary Jo Daley, D-148th Dist.; State Rep. Matt Bradford, D-70th Dist.; Pottstown Borough Council President Dan Weand; Limerick Supervisor Pat Morroney; Perkiomen Valley School Directors Judy Lofton and Gene Halus; and Pottsgrove School Director Charles Nippert.
The 146th District includes the boroughs of Trappe, Royersford and part of Pottstown, as well as Limerick, Lower Pottsgrove and Perkiomen townships.