HOMETOWN STOP
Willow Grove native Jill Biden urges voting
JENKINTOWN » Montgomery County native Jill Biden headlined an event Thursday afternoon encouraging voter participation ahead of the 2020 general election.
“I have such great memories of growing up in this area,” Biden said. “I can remember shopping here and coming here as a little girl, taking the train into Philadelphia and just really wonderful memories. So I really thank you for welcoming me home because it just feels so good to be here.”
Originally hailing from Willow Grove, the Upper Moreland High School alumna returned to her home state to campaign on behalf of her husband, former Vice President Joe Biden as he vies for the presidency on Nov. 3.
“Joe has the resilience and the strength and the integrity and not only that, he has the empathy,” she said. “He understands what people are going through.”
U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-4th.
Dist, echoed the former second lady’s sentiments about empathy and loyalty.
“You have Joe’s back. You have our back,” Dean said.
Along with Dean, Biden was greeted by nearly 100 area residents — wear
ing masks and staying socially distant — as well as a handful of county, state and federal elected officials. Dean then presented Biden a collection of Philadelphia-area memorabilia includ
ing cookies, Philadelphia Eagles merchandise and a personalized Upper Moreland High School sweatshirt with “Dr. B” written on the back.
“So you never forget your roots. I know you never will,” Dean said.
Montgomer y Count y Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Ken Lawrence Jr. was also in attendance and said he hopes a visit from Biden would empower people to exercise their civic duties by voting.
“I think it excites people. I think it makes it real,” Lawrence said in an interview with MediaNews Group. “I think Dr. Biden made a real connection with people there, emphasizing her native roots, but also how her and the vice president understand what Montgomery County citizens are facing.”
Many remarks from both Biden and Dean were met with applause from the au
dience at the outdoor event.
“You could feel the vibration in this audience, and they will go out and take that to their friends, and their family, and remind people [to] get out and vote,” Dean told MediaNews Group.
Despite trying times in the country, Dean emphasized the importance of moments like this.
“Well, I think it’s inspiring,” Dean said. “We wake up every day so anxious over
the direction of our country in the course of this pandemic and the economic recession, and events like this remind us that there’s great hope.”
The two later distributed literature and information packets to a line of voters in the hopes of increasing interest and turnout.
Dean is also running for re-election Nov. 3 and is opposed by Republican Kathy Barnette.
For Jenkintown resident Chris Seifert, Thursday’s event was an opportunity to engage politically at the local level.
“I think politics is local. So I think anytime you have a candidate, a future first lady hopefully, coming to a small town like this, it makes everyone realize that we really do make a difference in the election,” he said. “That every vote counts, and
everyone that’s here today hopefully will leave and tell some friends that Dr. Biden was here in our little town, and get excited to vote in November.”
With less than one month until the general election, preparations continue in Montgomery County.
Lawrence, who also serves as the chairman of the county’s election board, said that officials are working to send
out ballots and settle the polling locations. He urged his constituents to get motivated and ready to vote.
“I hope people make a plan to vote, whether it’s [to] vote by mail or to vote in person, and I hope they execute that plan, but also encourage their family and neighbors to participate in our democracy and vote,” Lawrence said after the event.