Hi Everyone, my little corner of the world is a rather sleepy college town of Annville, Pennsylvania. Normally, we go about our business and nobody notices us. Till Reckless Russ Diamond, our State Rep, does something else stupid. He’s been the leader of the Covidiots here, speaking at April’s Harrisburg Virus Spreading Party, bragging that he walks around town without a mask, and illegally blocking his constituents from his official Facebook page.
Today the news that he is under alleged self-quarantine (though rumors around town is that he is going to the stores and Post Office without a mask while allegedly not being in contact with anyone other than his paramour). But, I’m biased, because I’m Matt Duvall’s campaign treasurer, so take my opinion for whatever you think it’s worth.
Other commenters in today’s excellent diaries asked me to introduce Dr. Duvall and Dr. Clements, our candidates for the 102nd District (Annville, Myerstown, Jonestown, Richland) and the 101st District (Palmyra, Lebanon, Cornwall, Mount Gretna, Campbelltown), respectively. I gladly accept the invitation.
duvallforpa.com
Dr. Matt Duvall is, like Reckless Russ Diamond, one of my neighbors, mere blocks from my house/law practice. Matt is active in our local Democratic politics as our Precinct Captain. His wife, Dr. Natalie Duvall, is on our local school board and is a member of County Committee. They have three young children who attend the local schools. Matt designs instructional materials for autistic students and Matt does something that Reckless Russ would never do — listen. And learn from listening. For as much as Reckless Russ is a bombastic jerk, Matt is calm and collected. As much as Reckless Russ likes to hear his own voice, Matt would rather hear yours. Matt would rather try to do the right thing than throw rocks, give everyone a voice and protect the vulnerable. His career is to try to help lift many vulnerable people, and he finds a special calling in giving everyone opportunity.
Russ tried to get the Pennsylvania Supreme Court impeached for dumping our highly partisan congressional gerrymander. When that didn’t work, he tried to gerrymander our appellate courts because he alleged that the 2/7 rural representation did not envelop the 2/7 of the Commonwealth’s population that lives in rural areas. I guess he didn’t like that four of our seven Justices are from Pittsburgh (he alleges Philadelphia, but can’t say the word because we only have one Justice from Philly). He also called for Dr. Levine to resign as Health Secretary for merely doing her job. Many of us think that she’s in a tough spot with her role and all the heat the far right throws at her for being trans-gender. Dr. Levine has a Harvard education and sometimes it shows, and the deplorables don’t like that smart and logical stuff she says when she talks. Thus, Reckless Russ thinks she should go.
I posted his website above. Disclosure — I’m the campaign treasurer. I’m also on County Committee for the precinct next door to Matt’s.
docclements.com
Doc is a retired local vet in Palmyra, the next town over. He’s running against Frank Ryan, who is just as far right as Reckless Russ Diamond, but he doesn’t scream as loudly. Doc wants to actually try reforms, as he believes that our General Assembly is overbloated (203 in the House, 50 in the Senate) and they should not be full-time. He can get quite pragmatic, and spends a lot of time giving back (very active in the local food bank over in Palmyra). Frank actually supports a lot of the rock throwing that Reckless Russ gets going, and like Reckless Russ, was a signatory to that awful letter that tried to force Lebanon County to open up while we still had active COVID outbreaks in-county. We won’t hold it against Doc that he went to Auburn vet school (I went to Oklahoma for grad school, and football factories like to think they’re special).
pattysmithforpa.com
A small corner of our county is in the 104th District (another substantial gerrymander to dilute some of the purplish Dauphin County with blood red Lebanon County voters). Lebanon County contributes two townships (East Hanover and North Annville, both blood red) to the district. This is where most of Fort Indiantown Gap is. Patty Smith tried to take down Sue Helm, the eight term nut job, in 2018 and got kinda close. Patty is trying to be the voice of reason in a hard right district that does not always value reason. Very fair person, very willing to learn and listen. Unlike Sue, who basically has the job because she has the job. Because she built up name recognition last run, she might have a chance.
We in Lebanon County have a massive uphill climb in any election. I tried for District Judge in 2015 and got whacked. 62% of the ballots were straight ticket the other way. I lost before anyone got past the first line. I’d like to think that we can knock down these crazies, especially Reckless Russ Diamond. But w are in deep Red territory here. Any support helps — even good thoughts and encouragement. Ideas how to win in blood red country would really help too.
Thanks for reading.
