In the sidebar, click I VOTED! HAVE YOU? (Well have you?) to see our NEW WEBSITE!
Before you go…
To volunteer to help elect Democrats up and down the ballot this year and next, see our facebook page or email contact@wcborodems.org
Jim Salvas, Chair
West Chester Democratic Committee
Jim Salvas (West Chester Democratic Committee Chair & Property Management Chair) asked Chrissy Houlahan to have this flag flown over the US Capital as soon as she was elected the first Democrat and woman to win the 6th Congressional Seat in the US Congress! Our flag is thus the first flown at Chrissy’s request.
Pictured is Dick Bingham (CCDC Chair) and Marsha Peltz (CCDC Vice Chair) raising our flag over Chester County Democratic Headquarters at 37 S. High Street in the Borough of West Chester.
Jim donated the flag; CCDC paid for the flagpole and the solar light above it.
Other constituents can request a flag be flown for them by applying here:
https://houlahan.house.gov/services/flag-requests.htm
The Chester County (Pennsylvania) Democratic Committee believes in Freedom, Fairness, and Opportunity for all Americans, regardless of what they believe, who they are, and where they came from. Join CCDC in making Chester County a better place for all!
We have a chance to fundamentally shape the future of our country.
But that will only happen if all of us work together — starting right now.
Every four years, the Democratic Party puts together our party platform, the ideas and beliefs that govern our party as a whole.
What follows is our 2016 platform — our most progressive platform in our party’s history and a declaration of how we plan to move America forward. Democrats believe that cooperation is better than conflict, unity is better than division, empowerment is better than resentment, and bridges are better than walls.
This party platform was voted on and passed by our membership at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in 2016. The platform will be updated and re-approved at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Download 2016 Party Platform PDF
To read the entire platform, choose a section to jump ahead or scroll down.
Raise Incomes and Restore Economic Security for the Middle Class
Fight for Economic Fairness and Against Inequality
Bring Americans Together and Remove Barriers to Opportunities
Protect Voting Rights, Fix Our Campaign Finance System, and Restore Our Democracy
Combat Climate Change, Build a Clean Energy Economy, and Secure Environmental Justice
Provide Quality and Affordable Education
Congratulations to all 2018 primary winners! All candidates deserve credit for running strong races and their dedication to advancing Democratic principles. The winners now become the official CCDC candidates for the general election (except that committeepersons now take office). Once again, Chesco is a swing county and Pennsylvania a swing state. So there are 6 more months of hard work ahead: please volunteer to help the candidate of your choice and strengthen our party at the same time!
Winners are in boldface below.
It’s no surprise that Senator Bob Casey, Governor Tom Wolf, and Chrissy Houlahan (US House PA-06, including all of Chesco), all unopposed, won their races. For Lieutenant Governor, from PA Department of State, statewide results were (rearranged from high to low):
FETTERMAN, JOHN K 37.56% 288,116 Votes
AHMAD, NILOFER NINA 23.75%. 182,174 Votes
COZZONE, KATHLEEN M. 18.53%. 142,152 Votes
STACK, MICHAEL J. 16.58%. 127,207 Votes
SOSA, RAYMOND. 3.57%. 27,418 Votes
Map from New York Times (see there also for full PA results for each state district):
So while our own Commissioner Cozzone ran well, Nina Ahmad of Philadelphia probably cut substantially into her vote, and John Fetterman doubtless benefited from his race for the Dem nomination for US Senate 2 years ago and endorsements from Bernie Sanders and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Kathi won Chester County with 61.75%, tribute to her well-received performance as Commissioner, in which office she naturally continues to serve the people of the County.
WEST CHESTER DEMOCRATIC COUNTY COMMITTEE RESULTS
810 WEST CHESTER 1 (Prec-0810)
VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 2
JIM SALVAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 38.43%
EMILY PISANO . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 22.69%
KAREN HEINDEL CAVIN . . 163 37.73%
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 . .1.16%
820 WEST CHESTER 2-EAST (Prec-0820)
VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 2
JAMES DENNIS . . . . . . . . . 38 76.00
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 12 24.00
825 WEST CHESTER 2-WEST (Prec-0825)
VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 2
NICK ALLEN . . . . . . . . . . 65 69.15
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 29 30.85 [write-in winner: McKinley Foster, 25 votes]
835 WEST CHESTER 3 (Prec-0835)
VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 2
EDWIN A BROWNLEY JR . . . . . . . 141 52.22
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 129 47.78 [write-in winner: Brian McGinnis, 69 votes]
842 WEST CHESTER 4 (Prec-0842)
VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 2
JORDAN NORLEY . . . . . . . . . 59 74.68
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 20 25.32 [write-in winner: Kevin Carson, 18 votes]
846 WEST CHESTER 5 (Prec-0846)
VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 2
SHEILA VACCARO. . . . . . . . . 106 53.81
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 91 46.19 [write-in winner: Don Braceland, 83 votes]
850 WEST CHESTER 6 (Prec-0850)
VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 2
JANET COLLITON. . . . . . . . . 135 49.63
GEETHA RAMANATHAN. . . . . . . . 133 48.90
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 4 1.47
860 WEST CHESTER 7 (Prec-0860)
VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 2
STEPHANIE PHILLIPS MARKSTEIN . . . . 227 53.16
KYLE HUDSON. . . . . . . . . . 195 45.67
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 5 1.17
for the newly elected PA State Committee representing Chester County, see here
Make voting easier on yourself. Get familiar with this SAMPLE GENERIC BALLOT FOR WEST CHESTER.
The Chester County Democratic Committee (CCDC) endorses the candidates marked with black ovals.
Consult your precinct committeepersons for information about State and WC Democratic Committee candidates.
To answer questions, Democratic committeepersons are working the polls all day; they are there to help you.
Don’t know your Precinct number or polling place?
The PA Department of State does.
2018 Primary Generic Sample Ballot PDF
for West Chester Borough
or download pdf here: WC Dems 2018 spring fund
Among invited candidates, our representative in Harrisburgm Carolyn Comitta (D-156), is coming.
West Chester, PA (August 8, 2017) – After years of renting, Chester County Dems are finally homeowners. And the timing could not be more ideal as Chester County is home to one of the most active and rapidly growing Democratic organizations in Pennsylvania.
Philanthropist and 37 S. High Street owner Vivian Lasko turned over the keys to the historical building, built in 1893, at settlement on July 27. For the last 16 years, Chester County Democratic Committee (CCDC) ran its headquarters out of the building with approximately 800 SF of first floor office space.
Lasko, widow to long-time West Chester businessman Oscar Lasko who died at age 96 earlier this year, recently put the building on the market. Jim Salvas, the Democratic committee person in Lasko’s precinct, was liaison between her and the CCDC. Salvas noted, “this purchase would not have been possible without Vivian’s generosity, allowing us a right of first offer and help with financing.”
“While the party has always maintained a year-round office in West Chester,” continued CCDC Chairman Brian McGinnis, “we have never owned our headquarters. After searching the county for new space, we were pleased to be able to remain in the midst of West Chester’s vibrant downtown and county seat.”
Chesco Dems, riding high on changing demographics and an increase in voter turnout, decided to put down roots this year, in anticipation of the November 2017 local elections and next year’s national and statewide races.
“This purchase is the result of the hard work and dedication of the members of the Chester County Democratic Committee,” added McGinnis. “I am very humbled to be their Chairman during these exciting times in county politics. We are moving forward with a ton of momentum!”
Under McGinnis and the Executive Board of CCDC’s leadership, ballots in county and local elections are brimming with Democratic candidates, many for the very first time.
“Don’t underestimate the importance of local elections such as school board directors (ensuring that our school districts are solvent and promoting public education) and township supervisors (keeping our townships and boroughs safe places to live and raise a family),” wrote McGinnis earlier this month to his membership. “Local elections matter. Our county-wide candidates will restore integrity, trust, and transparency to government, and our judicial candidates will represent the interests of people over the powerful.”
Election Day 2017 is Tuesday, November 7. There is good reason for optimism in the suburbs.
As the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote after May’s primary, “In Chester County, where Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton outperformed Republican Trump in November by more than 25,000 votes despite a GOP registration advantage, 18 percent of Democrats came out to vote on Tuesday, compared with just 10 percent four years ago.”
For information about Chester County Democratic Committee, visit their website at chescodems.com and follow them on Facebook.
JOIN US! We have new ways to work for change, right here in West Chester. In fact, we are the ground floor for change.
That’s why the West Chester Democratic Committee has created new opportunities for you to volunteer. Together, let’s work to stand for Democratic values, energize voters and elect candidates who share our goals.
If you are a Democrat and live in the Borough, join us:
1) Work on one of four new subcommittees. Are you interested in Communications, Outreach (to voters and local organizations), Candidate Recruitment and Support, or Fundraising (vital to everything else)?
2) Become a Block Captain. Help your local Committee Person encourage voting among your neighbors.
3) Become a Committee Person. We have openings in Wards 2E and 2W (precincts 820 and 825).
Contact us via Facebook message or email contact@wcborodems.org.
with thanks to Kennett Area Democrats
The Democratic Combined Campaign in Chester County offers many opportunities every day between now and the election. A lot of them are in West Chester, since the Clinton HQ is at 127 N. Church St. These events will benefit all Dem candidates, as the campaigns have a combined Get Out The Vote strategy to the benefit of all.
To find out all options, click here. Then to pitch in to this vital effort, enter your location, time frame, type of event, and desired radius (10 miles is the lowest) and sign up for what you can.
These four types of events reach out particularly to voters in the Borough:
Register Voters at West Chester University
Many days through Mon, Oct 17, 11:00am – 2:00pm or later, through Oct. 11
Start at Lawrence Hall, 705 S New St.
Turning out the vote at West Chester University will be essential in this election!
West Chester Voter Registration
Many days: lunch time, afternoon, or evening, through Oct. 11
Start at 127 N Church St.
To win in November, we need to make sure as many potential voters are registered to vote as possible.
West Chester Canvass
Many times avabilable.
Start at 127 N Church St.
Neighbors talking to neighbors is the most effective way to encourage people to vote. Join us as we knock doors and talk with our supporters face-to-face.
West Chester Phone Bank
Many evenings 5:30-8:30 p.m. or Sundays 3:00pm – 6:00pm
127 N Church St.
Don’t forget also similar events for individual candidates, notably Mayor Carolyn Comitta running for PA House 156. Volunteer to canvass, phone bank, or register voters for her campaign here.
West Chester Borough Democrats 
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