Today, our Democratic Governor, Tom Wolf, and our Democratic Senator, Bob Casey, visited Eire for a rally to launch their bus tour of the state leading up to Election Day. It took place at Lavery Brewing Company on 12th Street. I got a free beer (a stout)!
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All the candidates running in Erie and their supporters were out in force. Here’s a photo of many of the participants in the waining daylight:
Political luminaries at today’s Democratic rally.
At the microphone is Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper, who had been our most recent Democratic Representative in Congress, but for a single term: 2009-11. Behind her, from left to right, are Bob Merski, who is candidate for State House District 2, US Senator Bob Casey, Erie Mayor Joe Schember, Chair of the Erie County Democratic Party Jim Wertz, Candidate for Congressional District PA-16 Ron DiNicola, and Chair of the Pennsylvania State Democratic Party Nancy Patton Mills. Jim Wertz played MC, and all of these people spoke. A couple of state labor leaders also spoke. (Governor Tom Wolf didn’t arrive until after dark, so my photos of him did not come out well.)
All speakers emphasized the support that Democrats have provided for affordable healthcare in general, and protections for people with pre-existing conditions in particular, and the fact that Republicans have striven to destroy the ACA, and are now bound and determined to destroy Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. The Democratic principle of looking out for ordinary Americans was stressed, while the Republicans were disparaged for catering to the interests of the rich (as well as their own). Repeatedly, they promised to protect the rights of women, of immigrants, of LGBTQ people and of people of color. The Governor was repeatedly praised for having expanded Medicaid, affording access to healthcare for thousands of people in Erie County.
Both Governor Wolf and Senator Casey are in excellent shape coming into the election, with double digit leads over their opponents. Ron DiNicola is neck-and-neck with his Tea-Party opponent Mike Kelly, but we’re hoping a Blue Wave will wash him over the finish line. Bob Merski is running for a traditionally blue seat in the Pennsylvania State House, and he’s likely to win, but in a House that’s dominated by Republicans, it’s crucial that he doesn’t lose.
When the rally was over, we retreated to the bar for some food and hobnobbing, until we remembered how tired we were and we came home.
Tomorrow, I am volunteering for canvassing. It’s coming down to the wire.
