February 2018 President’s Report

Bob Elbich and Katie Blume from the staff of the Democratic State Committee conducted two Precinct Committee Person Training sessions at IBEW. Over thirty-five people attended each.  We have roughly 125 confirmed candidates for PCP, but this still leaves many holes.  We need you to run if you are not already.  The state of the Democratic Party depends on the people who run it.  For the past many years these seats have been left heavily unattended.  This is one of many reasons our county is not as blue or as organized as it should be. See Bob, Aidan, or myself to find out if there is a vacancy of candidates in your district.  You need 10 signatures from Democrats in your precinct to get on the ballot; we ask that you are an active Democrat and help out around elections. We will give you a petition, walk list, and handbook.

Winter 2018 State Committee was conducted on the 8th and 9th in Harrisburg. Due to the resignation of Chairman Marcel Groen and Vice Chair Peggy Gerber, an election for new leadership was held.  Marcel Groen was asked to resign by the Governor because of his responses and lack of responses to sexual harassment allegations involving Democrats in the State. Peggy Gerber is struggling with serious health issues. Many of the staff have resigned their positions as well.

There was an election for new leadership.  The PA State Committee Treasurer and Indiana County Chair, Jack Hanna was elected Chair; Nancy Mills, Allegheny County Chair was elected Vice Chair.  Because we elected the Treasurer we needed to replace him as well.  I am honored to have had the privilege to vote for the first African American Executive Officer in Pennsylvania Democratic State Party history, Lisa Rhoads as the new Treasurer. Lisa is the chair of the Black Caucus and a PhD student.

During the State Committee Meeting we voted to not endorse any of the Candidates for Lt Governor in order that an open primary will be conducted.

PA Dem State Committee voted to adopt a code of conduct for all State Committee, County, and Democrat elected officials across the state will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any unlawful basis, including but not limited to race, gender, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnicity, ancestry, age, national origin and immigration status, religion, creed, marital status, familial status, economic status, or domestic or sexual violence victim status. That Democratic Party business across the state should be free from harassment or intimidation or the result will entail removal from party.  This code of conduct automatically applies to us and it can be read on our website on our about page.

On Valentine’s Day our new County Executive, Phillips Armstrong signed an executive order to ban discrimination of LGBT employees and contractors of Lehigh County.  Congratulations, and Thank You! This Thursday at 4pm Executive Phillips Armstrong will be giving his first state of the county at Coca Cola Park.

Yesterday there was a very well attended petition signing held by State Reps Schlossberg, Schweyer and McNeill and Senator Boscola.  Today we have many petitions here as well that you can sign as well as circulate for the candidates.

In solidarity with one of the Parkland, FL shooting survivor, student of, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Emma Gonzalez, who made an emotional and truth-telling speech that torched Trump, “We call B.S.” It is only us who can and will demand the change of our elected officials that will establish gun sense laws. I plead with you for all of our children’s and residents of this country’s lives, we must stand strong and demand that change that will lead to lives being saved.

Thank you for your dedication to the party and to the residents of the Lehigh Valley.

— Naomi Winch

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