Democrat breakfast bolsters primary enthusiasm
HARMONY — “Vote Blue in ‘22” was the chosen phrase of the Butler County Democratic Commitee’s Butler Blue Breakfast on Saturday at Steamfitters Technology Center, 230 Wise Road.
Local government leaders, primary candidates and more than 200 county Democrats ate and gathered to learn about what to expect in the upcoming election.
The event opened with the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance by Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy, followed by remarks by the Catherine Lalonde, Democratic Committee chairwoman.
“It seems crazy to say, but it seems every election is the most important election of our lives,” Lalonde said. “Individual people working together is how we make a difference, that’s what this committee is about.”
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat, shared a video message thanking the Democratic Committee for its efforts toward winning the 2020 presidential election and to elaborate on three bills supported by the Democrats: the American Rescue Plan Act, American Infrastructure Bill and the Appropriations Bill.
“All these bills support rural Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania infrastructure, rural families,” he said.
Butler County Commissioner Kevin Boozel urged attendees to get out and knock on doors, support campaigns and not be complacent in the days leading up to the May primary.
“If we’re not out there digging votes out of the woodwork, we’re not doing our job,” he said. “We can’t hope people pull our candidate. We have to get the candidates out to events and in front of people.”
U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, D-17th, and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, both running for U.S. Senate discussed what it’s like being a Democrat in a primarily Republican state.
“I say to you, ‘Is it easy being a Democrat in a deep red county?’ I respect you and thank you for the hard work you constantly do,” Fetterman said to the Democratic committee. “You know the work you do matters.”
“If we agree on one thing, it’s preserving this democracy for future generations. Yeah, it’s tough being a Democrat (here), but you know, it feels good the day after a win in a place you weren’t supposed to win,” Lamb said.
Congressional candidates Dan Pastore and Rick Telesz said they are running for the 16th District seat held by Republican Mike Kelly to help future generations of Americans.
“I’m running because I’m concerned about the division in Washington and what it’s doing to people around us,” Pastore said. “I decided to run to fight to change the course we’re on.”
“I’m running because of every one of you and our children and our grandchildren,” Telesz said. “I decided to throw my name out here and step up.”
Candidates for lieutenant governor Austin Davis and state Rep. Brian Simms, D-182nd, stressed the importance of their potential position as a way to serve the community.
“I couldn’t be prouder to be running. I want to be a fighter for the working-class families in PA,” Davis said. “I don’t have to tell you what’s on the line this November, because it’s everything: a woman’s right to choose, affordable health care.”
“This job is so critically important. Lieutenant governors are chairs for the board of pardons, chair of the emergency management council and president of our Senate,” Simms said. “If elected, I’d be one of the most experienced people in the lieutenant governorship position.”
Robert Vigue, candidate for the state House’s 12th district, said he was honored to speak to the enthusiastic crowd and encouraged people to run for a government position.
“We need to have more Democrats running for all seats,” he said. “We need to encourage people you think can do the job and move PA forward.”
