PA House District 156

2018 Mid-Term Election Results!

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Congratulations to Chester County Democrats for an Outstanding 2018 Election Result!

See the press release below for County level winners.

Congratulations also to statewide winners:
Governor Tom Wolf and new Lt. Gov. John Fetterman
US Senator Bob Casey

Press release from CCDC:
CHRISSY HOULAHAN MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST DEMOCRAT AND WOMAN TO WIN 6th CONGRESSIONAL SEAT

Two State Senators, Six PA Representatives Including First African American Democrat Plus Special Election of Old 7th Congressional District Confirms Blue Sweep

West Chester, PA (November 7, 2018) – Chester County is known for its rich history and news of a blue wave of historic proportions is being felt this morning. Air Force veteran, systems engineer and businesswoman Chrissy Houlahan spearheaded a Democratic wave that included the entire Democratic ticket from Governor and U.S. Senator to two PA State Senators and six PA State Representatives. The county elected its first Democratic African American State Representative, Dan Williams. The 2018 Midterms brought another stunning first – Democrats now hold the majority of the Chester County delegation in Harrisburg!

“We wake up today to multiple historic accomplishments,” declared Dick Bingham, Chester County Democratic Committee Chair. “With a gap of 11,500 fewer registered Democrats than Republicans, the wins across the county were astounding. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of thousands of volunteers and a dozen strong candidates, we turned the county blue despite the heavy Republican advantage. We went from one to six State House Representatives. We moved from one to three State Senators. And we celebrate our first Democratic Congresswoman, ever, heading off to Washington.”

CONGRESSWOMAN HOULAHAN

Speaking to a standing-room-only audience at Phoenixville’s Franklin Commons late last night, Houlahan began her remarks by thanking her opponent, Greg McCauley for answering the call to run. She then noted the “new and improved” 6th Congressional District where her “people-driven campaign” covered all of Chester County and parts of Berks County.

“This victory is not mine but it is yours, it is ours,” she told the cheering crowd. “Our politics and our government have been turned upside down. Now we can turn it right side up.”

She then touted the five top causes she campaigned on over an almost two-year run including: quality and affordable and accessible healthcare for all; a living wage; a great education that everyone is owed and due; a safe planet, safe community and safe schools; and finally decency, respect and the knowledge that truth matters.

SPECIAL 7th ELECTION

For a few weeks, Chester County will have a Congresswoman in 2018 representing the state’s old 7th District. Democrat Mary Gay Scanlon won the election in Pennsylvania’s 5th congressional district and the special election. The latter district, which includes parts of Berks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster and Montgomery counties, was restructured to the new 5th District. Scanlon won the open congressional seat in the 5th district, which had been under Republican control for eight years but was redrawn by the state Supreme Court.

WAITING SINCE 1855

According to the county’s newspaper, Daily Local News, Democrats would have to go back 163 years to recall a winning election night for a national office.

“A former county district attorney, Hickman, a Quaker, ran on the party ticket in 1855 and was elected to three more terms, first as a Democrat, then as a so-called Anti-Lecompton Democrat opposed to slavery, and finally as a Republican in 1861 when that party led the charge against slavery and elected Abraham Lincoln president. Hickman did not seek a new term in 1863, and the GOP has been winning elections for Congress in the county since, even as it has been split into halves and sometimes thirds because of redistricting.”

HARRISBURG-BOUND

Voters elected the following Democrats to the PA State Senate and House seats:

Tim Kearney – PA Senate District 26
Katie Muth – PA Senate District 44

Dan Williams – PA House District 74
Danielle Friel Otten – PA House District 155
Carolyn Comitta – PA House District 156
Melissa Shusterman – PA House District 157
Christina Sappey – PA House District 158
Kristine Howard – PA House District 167

CONTACT: Bill Phifer, CCDC Communications Committee, PressRelations@chescodems.org, 484-639-2345

Our 2018 Winners!

US Senate: Bob Casey (incumbent)

US Senate: Bob Casey (incumbent)

Bob Casey was raised to believe that “all public service is a trust, given in faith and accepted in honor,” and he has brought that to every office he has held, including Pennsylvania Auditor General, State Treasurer, and U.S. Senator.

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Pennsylvania House, District 167: Kristine Howard

Pennsylvania House, District 167: Kristine Howard

Kristine Howard is a mother and Rutgers Law School grad currently working in child protective services. She seeks to improve state programs for education, healthcare and career opportunities for all, including two-income families and single women. She has recently been endorsed by President Barack Obama.

read more

County commissioner Kathi Cozzone seeks re-election

by | November 20, 2018 | CCDC Blog, Chester County Commissioners | 0 Comments

Daily Local News, 11/20/18 WEST CHESTER—Chester County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone has announced she is seeking re-election as Commissioner. “I am honored the citizens of Chester…

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© 2018 Chester County Democratic Committee

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Supreme Court refuses to stop new congressional maps in Pennsylvania

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Screen Shot 2018-03-20 at 2.40.38 AM

By Robert Barnes March 19 at 3:20 PM

The Supreme Court on Monday turned down a request from Republican legislative leaders in Pennsylvania to block a redrawn congressional map that creates more parity between the political parties in the state.

The practical impact is the 2018 elections are likely to be held under a map much more favorable to Democrats, who scored an apparent victory last week in a special election in a strongly Republican congressional district. The 2011 map that has been used this decade has resulted in Republicans consistently winning 13 of the state’s 18 congressional seats.

Monday’s action was the second time that the court declined to get involved in the partisan battle that has roiled Pennsylvania politics. The commonwealth’s highest court earlier this year ruled that a map drawn by Republican leaders in 2011 “clearly, plainly and palpably” violated the free-and-equal-elections clause of the Pennsylvania Constitution.


[Supreme Court declines to get involved in Pennsylvania gerrymandering case]

The U.S. Supreme Court deliberated nearly two weeks before turning down the request to stop the map from being used in this fall’s elections. Generally the justices stay out of the way when a state’s highest court is interpreting its own state constitution.

WHAT IS GERRYMANDERING?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/c/embed/e447f5c2-07fe-11e6-bfed-ef65dff5970d

Rep. Comitta (D-156) proposes Pipeline Communication and Safety Board

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See her video announcement “Comitta Fighting To Keep Pipelines Safe” at YouTube. Text there:

Published on Jun 19, 2017

The creation of a Pipeline Communication and Safety Board is needed, as our state government struggles to keep residents up to date on pipeline construction, operation and maintenance. The Pipeline Communication and Safety Board will ensure timely and effective dissemination of relevant information to help all citizens, and make our government agencies more efficient.

‘House’-hold Name: Former West Chester Mayor Comitta looks back – & ahead to rep’s job

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by Bill Rettew, Daily Local News, 4/1/17

WEST CHESTER >> The world is full of lovers and fighters.

Former borough councilwoman, mayor and newly elected state Rep. Carolyn Comitta, D-156, is both. There’s a small bit of fighter in her DNA, but she loves helping people, which is what propelled her into public service.

The first thing you notice when entering Comitta’s new office is a pair of boxing gloves sitting on her desk.

The gloves were a gift from her husband, Tom Comitta, a town planner.

“A year after I became mayor, I realized that I had a lot of work to do,” she said. “I went to Tom and said, ‘It’s time to put on the boxing gloves.’”

When children visit they often want to know about the gloves.

“I put them on the desk to remind me to fight for the best interests of the citizens and to remind me that it sometimes takes a lot of effort to move forward,” Comitta said.

Comitta stepped down from her seat as West Chester Mayor March 15 after serving as the leader of the borough for almost eight years.

A one-term councilmember and two-term mayor, she is proudest of her ability to bring people together for collaboration….

read more at Daily Local News

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Mayor Comitta to West Chester

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Tonight I submitted my resignation as Mayor of West Chester. This is a bittersweet moment, as I transition away from a position I have loved for almost 8 years. But I am not leaving you. As your State Representative, serving the 156th Legislative District, I continue to keep my focus on those of you living in the Borough, while expanding that focus to others living in our neighboring townships.

In Harrisburg, my Committee appointments are:

Aging and Older Adult Services
Environmental Resources and Energy
Local Government
Professional Licensure

Recently I spoke before the Appropriations Committee to discuss our concerns surrounding pipelines. See the press release and video here.

I am pleased to announce the opening of my District Office, on March 24th, from 11am-2pm, at 21 W. Washington St., Suite A, West Chester (please see below).

Warmly,

Carolyn

Comitta to host district office open house event Friday, March 24

State Rep. Carolyn Comitta will host an open house event at her district constituent service office, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, March 24.

Her district office, which is open now, is located at 21 W. Washington St., Suite A.

The 156th Legislative District includes West Chester Borough, West Goshen, East Goshen, Westtown, Birmingham and Thornbury/Chester County.

This open house event is an opportunity to meet Comitta and her staff and to learn about the services they provide locally.

All are invited to this free event. Light refreshments will be served and no RSVP is required. Parking is also available.

“I’m excited to welcome residents of the 156th and for them to know we are here for them,” Comitta said. “We can assist with all state-related business, and refer out when necessary, so we encourage constituents to come in or contact us anytime.”

Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
http://www.pahouse.com/Comitta

In solidarity with the Women’s March

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ccomitta-w-young
Mayor Comitta with young supporters of the Women’s March, at gathering of 150+ in solidarity with the marchers at the County Court House in West Chester, 1/21/17. If only national government would keep its eyes on the wise statement “History has its eyes on us”! And also, speaking after her 2006-2010 predecessor as 156th district representative in Harrisburg Barb McIlvaine Smith, Carolyn addresses the crowd:

comitta-at-court-house

Comitta begins first term representing 156th District

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Rep. Carolyn Comitta January 4, 2017

HARRISBURG, Jan. 4 – Calling it a tremendous honor, state Rep. Carolyn Comitta was sworn in yesterday to represent the 156th Legislative District in Chester County.

“It’s truly humbling to be sent to Harrisburg as a representative of our district to fight for what’s best for Pennsylvania,” Comitta said. “I look forward to working in a bipartisan fashion to get things done and serve the residents of the 156th District as best I can.”

Comitta is one of 40 women serving in the House, the highest total in state history.

Constituents can visit Comitta’s website at www.pahouse.com/Comitta for information on various state-related services and programs.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives swearing-in corresponds with the first Tuesday in January, every two years. This year is Pennsylvania’s 201st legislative session.

(Still from video at www.pahouse.com/Comitta)
comitta-ready-to-serve

History repeats in the 156th!

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Mayor Carolyn Comitta

Mayor Comitta

History repeats in the 156th! In 2006: Barbara McIlvaine Smith 11,616, Shannon Royer 11,588 – winning margin of 28. In 2016: Carolyn Comitta 18,261, Dan Truitt 18,236 – winning margin of 25.

It’s nice to be in one of the state’s few remaining swing districts, where candidates campaign vigorously, voters pay attention, and the result hangs in the balance even after election day.

WC Borough Dems congratulate Mayor, and now Representative, Carolyn Comitta!

It’s official: Comitta will represent 156th district after ballot recount

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By Adam Farence, Daily Local News
Posted: 12/16/16, 4:17 PM EST

Mayor Carolyn Comitta

Mayor Carolyn Comitta

WEST CHESTER: Carolyn Comitta can now officially call herself state Representative Comitta after a hearing Friday afternoon determined she would represent the 156th legislative district in Harrisburg.

Comitta, a Democrat and the mayor of West Chester, had challenged Dan Truitt, R-156, of East Goshen, for his spot on the state legislature.

Common Pleas President Judge Jacqueline Carroll Cody presided over the hearing. Comitta was represented by Samuel Stretton, a longtime county Democrat and attorney and Truitt was represented by Curtis Norcini.

“I appreciate that you all pursued everything you did to ensure the integrity of the election process,” Cody told everyone assembled.

Truitt was not present for the hearing, and did not return a request for comment.

“We wanted to make sure that every valid ballot was counted, and that whoever won was the people’s choice,” Comitta said after the hearing. “I’m grateful to all the voters, all the volunteers, voter service, and Dan Truitt for his graciousness and service to our community.”

Both attorneys told Cody that they had agreed with the results of the recount, which put Comitta ahead of Truitt by 25 votes, putting her total at 18,267 to Truitt’s 18,242. Comitta’s campaign had filed for a recount after unofficial results from election day declared Truitt the winner.

Comitta extended her thanks to all her campaign staff and workers, including Stretton.

“I am honored to serve as representative for the citizens of district 156 and look forward to working together to make our wonderful community even better for all.”

To contact Daily Local News staff writer Adam Farence, email afarence@dailylocal.com, or call 610-235-2647.

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