February 2016 Lebanon County Democratic Newsletter

Events in the calendar are of interest to Lebanon County Democrats, but are not necessarily sponsored by the LCDC or even the Democratic Party.

Mon, FEBRUARY 1	Iowa Caucus
Wed, Feb 3	LCDC County Democratic Committee Meeting and PETITION PARTY, Heisey’s Diner at 7 pm, 1740 Rt 72, Lebanon 17046 All Democrats welcome! Come early to have supper and/or sign petitions before the crowd arrives. Stay to meet the candidates! VERY IMPORTANT MEETING!
Sat, Feb 6	Saturday, February 6, 10 am to 2 pm Petitions available for signing at our Democratic Headquarters, 23 South 6th St., Lebanon, PA 17042 Come sign for Hillary OR Bernie, or maybe even Martin, and our local, statewide, and congressional candidates. Stop by and learn about the candidates and your Democratic party activities! For more information, call Lois Herr, LCDC Chair at 717-371-5721 or email at chair@lebanondemocrats.com or Bea Brown, Campaign Committee Chair at 717-873-7680.
Sun, Feb 7	Sunday, February 7, 12 pm to 3 pm - Petitions available for signing at our Democratic Headquarters, 23 South 6th St., Lebanon, PA 17042 Come sign for Hillary OR Bernie, or maybe even Martin, and our local, statewide, and congressional candidates. Stop by and learn about the candidates and your Democratic party activities! For more information, call Lois Herr, LCDC Chair at 717-371-5721 or email at chair@lebanondemocrats.com or Bea Brown, Campaign Committee Chair at 717-873-7680.
Tue, Feb 9	New Hampshire primary
Thur, Feb 11	Notary Event, 7-8 PM, LCDC, Jo Ellen Litz
Thu, Feb 11	2016 Presidential Primary Debate, 9PM
Fri, Feb 12	Delegate petitions due to PADems with affidavit & fee (DNC Convention)
Sat, Feb 13	Notary Event, 1-3 PM, LCDC, Lorraine Scudder
Mon, Feb 15	Notary Event, 4-6 PM, Lebanon Travel, 525 N. 9th St, Lebanon, Cesar F Liriano
Tue, Feb 16	Last date to circulate & file candidate & delegate petitions
Wed, Feb 17	First day to circulate and file nomination papers
Thu, Feb 18	LEAD Meeting. Noon, Sinkhole Saloon, Palmyra LEAD is Lebanon County’s premier liberal/progressive discussion group. Meets 3rd Thursday every month, exc. Aug
Fri-Sun, Feb 19-21	PA Progressive Summit Hilton Harrisburg, 1 N 2nd St, Harrisburg, PA The 2016 Summit is a time for progressives to come together to strengthen the movement, build stronger relationships with those working on the issues you care most about, and learn how to achieve real progressive victories. The experience is profound, but registration is easy. Do it now, because we're starting to sell out and there will be NO registration at the door. Official Details: http://www.paprogressivesummit.net/ Tickets: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/keystone-progress-summit-2016-tickets-15773030559
Sat, Feb 20	Nevada Caucus (Dem). South Carolina (Rep)
Tue, Feb 23	Nevada caucus (GOP)
Thu, Feb 25	Showing of film masterpiece SELMA at Allen Theater, Annville - 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Thu, Feb 25	Annville-Cleona Dem Meeting, Annville Town Hall, 36 N Lancaster St. Meets the fourth Thursday of each month. Contact Pat Stephens, 867-1275 for more details.
Sat, Feb 27	Seminar 2 - Candidates & Campaigns, 9:30 am to 3 PM, Annville American Legion (click to find out more) Free. RSVP to Lois Herr, herrlk@me.com, 717-371-5721.
Sat, Feb 27	South Carolina (Dem)
Tue, MARCH 1	Super Tuesday: Alabama, Alaska (GOP), Arkansas, Colorado Caucuses, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota caucuses, North Dakota (GOP)
Wed, Mar 2	Last Day for withdrawal by candidates who filed nomination petitions
Wed, Mar 2	LCDC Executive Committee, 7 PM The Executive Committee shall meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month unless decided otherwise at a regular meeting of the Executive Committee. Please check our Facebook page Lebanon County Democratic Party, or Twitter @LebDems for any notifications about meeting cancellations. Unless otherwise noted, all EXEC meetings are held at 7 pm at LCDC Headquarters, 23 S. 6th St, Lebanon PA 17042
Sat, Mar 5	Kansas caucus, Kentucky caucus (Rep), Louisiana, Maine (Rep), Nebraska Caucus (Dem)
Sun, Mar 6	Maine (Dem)
Tue, Mar 8	Hawaii caucus (GOP_, Idaho (Rep), Mississippi, Michigan
Wed, Mar 9	2016 Presidential Primary Debate, 9 PM
Sun, Mar 13	Puerto Rico (Rep)
Tue, Mar 15	Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio
Wed, Mar 16	LCDC Executive Committee, 7 PM The Executive Committee shall meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month unless decided otherwise at a regular meeting of the Executive Committee. Please check our Facebook page Lebanon County Democratic Party, or Twitter @LebDems for any notifications about meeting cancellations. Unless otherwise noted, all EXEC meetings are held at 7 pm at LCDC Headquarters, 23 S. 6th St, Lebanon PA 17042
Thu, Mar 17	LEAD Meeting. Noon, Sinkhole Saloon, Palmyra LEAD is Lebanon County’s premier liberal/progressive discussion group. Meets 3rd Thursday every month, exc. Aug
Sat, Mar 19	Seminar 3 - GOTV and Election Day Activities
Tue, Mar 22	Arizona, Utah
Thu, Mar 24	Annville-Cleona Dem Meeting, Annville Town Hall, 36 N Lancaster St. Meets the fourth Thursday of each month. Contact Pat Stephens, 867-1275 for more details.
Sat, Mar 26	Alaska Caucus (Dem), Hawaii caucus (Dem), Washington (Dem)
Mon, Mar 28	Last Day to Register before the primary
Tue, APRIL 5	Wisconsin
Wed, Apr 6	LCDC Executive Committee, 7 PM The Executive Committee shall meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month unless decided otherwise at a regular meeting of the Executive Committee. Please check our Facebook page Lebanon County Democratic Party, or Twitter @LebDems for any notifications about meeting cancellations. Unless otherwise noted, all EXEC meetings are held at 7 pm at LCDC Headquarters, 23 S. 6th St, Lebanon PA 17042
Sat, Apr 9	Spring Fling
Sat, Apr 9	Wyoming (Dem)
Sat, Apr 16	LCDC Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup (tentative)
Tue, Apr 19	Last day to apply for a civilian Absentee ballot
Tue, Apr 19	New York
Wed, Apr 20	LCDC County Committee meeting
Thu, Apr 21	LEAD Meeting. Noon, Sinkhole Saloon, Palmyra LEAD is Lebanon County’s premier liberal/progressive discussion group. Meets 3rd Thursday every month, exc. Aug
Thu, Apr 22	Last day for County Board of Elections to receive voted civilian absentee ballots
Tue, Apr 26	PRIMARY ELECTION PENNSYLVANIA (also Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island)
Wed, Apr 27	First day to register after primary
Thu, Apr 28	Annville-Cleona Dem Meeting, Annville Town Hall, 36 N Lancaster St. Meets the fourth Thursday of each month. Contact Pat Stephens, 867-1275 for more details.
Tue, MAY 3	Last Day for County Board of Elections to receive voted military and overseas absentee ballots (submitted for delivery no later than 11:59 P.M. on April 25)
Tue, May 3	Indiana
Tue, May 10	Nebraska (Rep), West Virginia
Tue, May 17	Kentucky (Dem), Oregon
Sun, June 5	Puerto Rico (Dem)
Tue, JUNE 7	Deadline for at-large and PLEO delegate candidates to file statement and pledge with PADems for DNC
Tue, June 7	California, Montana, North Dakota (Dem), New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota
Sat, Jun 11	PA Dems State Comm Meeting
Tue, Jun 14	District of Columbia
Mon, JULY 25-31	Democratic National Convention, Philadelphia
Mon Jul 25-31	Lebanon Area Fair
Mon, AUGUST 1	Last day to circulate and file nomination papers
Mon, Aug 8	Last day for withdrawal by candidates nominated by nomination papers
Sun, Aug 14	LCDC Summer Picnic (tentative)
Mon, Aug 15	Last day for withdrawal by candidates nominated at the primary
Sat, Aug 27	Fiesta Latina (tentative)
Wed SEPTEMBER 7	LCDC County committee meeting
Tue, OCTOBER 11	Last Day to register before the November election
Wed, Oct 19	LCDC County Committee meeting
Tue, NOVEMBER 1	Last day to apply for a civilian absentee ballot
Fri, Nov 4	Last Day for the county Boards of Elections to receive voted civilian absentee ballot
Sun, Nov 6	Salsa the Vote (tentative)
Tue, Nov 8	GENERAL ELECTION AND VICTORY PARTY!
Wed, Nov 9	First day to register after November election
Tue, Nov 15	Last day for county Boards of Election to receive voted military and overseas absentee ballots (submitted for delivery no later than 11:59 P.M. on November 7)
Wed, DECEMBER 21	LCDC Holiday Open House

To old hands, it’s obvious, but to people new to politics, here’s how it works: To get on the ballot a candidate for office has to petition the Election Office. This petition has to have legitimate signatures (voters from their party, in the appropriate precinct, that have only signed the right amount of petitions for a particular position--usually one, and...well, there are a number of other requirements). Any of these signatures can be questioned and will be in a close race. A petition may need hundreds of good signatures to get on the ballot. Although it’s unlikely, even a major national candidate that’s on TV all the time will not get on the ballot of some states if he or she does not have enough good signatures to qualify.

The way these candidates get on the ballot, therefore, requires all of us who care about this campaign to get signatures for the people we want to get on the ballot and win. Not getting on the ballot makes it almost impossible to win. So, if you support any of these candidates (and we hope you support somebody!), please help them get on the ballot by getting signatures on the petitions of your candidates.

You’ll have a chance to learn more about the process, sign petitions and get petitions to take around if you come to the Heisey Diner this Wednesday, February 3 at 7 PM. (see above for details).

Here’s what we (the editors) know so far about this election. First, the positions we’ll be voting for:

There’s also a Democratic Convention to nominate candidates for President and Vice-President and to vote on the party platform. This year, the Convention is in Philadelphia. To make that happen, we have to elect delegates from each Congressional district to go to this Convention. They are our representatives. So...

7 Delegates (3 male, 4 female) to the Democratic Convention from the 6th District

6 Delegates (3 male, 3 female) to the Democratic Convention from the 15th District

1 Alternate Delegate (female) to the Democratic Convention from the 6th District

1 Alternate Delegate (male) to the Democratic Convention from the 15th District

(FYI--Republicans will elect 12 delegates and 3 alternates from the two districts districts and all of their Lebanon County Republican Committee members)

Because of the nature of politics, some people may be running for the Party’s nomination for some of these offices and have not publicized it openly (or at least not to US!). Consequently, this is a tentative list. And none of them will get on the ballot without thoroughly vetted petitions (see above).

With that caveat, here’s what we know about who’s running. We asked many of them if they would tell us a little something about themselves. You’ll see what we received at press time below.

“Born and raised in Delaware County, former 3-star Admiral Joe Sestak served in the Navy for 31 years. He served as a Congressman for Pennsylvania’s 7th District from 2007-2011. As an Admiral, he led a series of operational commands at sea, including Commander of an aircraft carrier battle group of 30 U.S. and allied ships with over 15,000 sailors and 100 aircraft that conducted operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. After 9/11, Joe was the first Director of “Deep Blue,” the Navy’s anti-terrorism unit. He also served as President Clinton’s Director for Defense Policy at the National Security Council in the White House. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University.”

“Rick Daugherty is executive director of Lehigh Valley Active Life, a vibrant senior center. He has a degree in social work. He is former chairman of the Lehigh County Democratic Committee. He was district administrator for Congressman Paul McHale (retired). He ran for Congress in 2012, defeated a primary opponent who greatly outspent him, and was the highest vote getter for a Democrat in over a decade in the newly drawn Republican district.

“Rick supports fair trade that protects workers, the environment, and human rights. He supports senior programs, student debt relief, and improved oversight of military spending.”

“Laura Quick was born in the old Hershey Hospital in 1966 where her paternal grandmother Olive was a nurse. Olive had moved down from Ashland, PA to be close to her boys who attended the Milton Hershey School after the death of their father from ALS. Laura’s mother, Yvonne grew up in the Campbelltown area and was a graduate of Hershey High School. Laura spent her entire childhood and teen years in the Palmyra/Campbelltown area where during her high school years was very active in track and field, theater productions and various clubs. By her junior year, she had already been accepted into Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). While at IUP she participated in a study abroad program in England, studying at Wroxton College and Mansfield College, Oxford University. Her senior year she became president of the Equestrian Team and finished her studies with an internship in Washington, DC with the United States Information Agency (USIA).

“After graduating from IUP in 1988, Laura worked in the international exchange field for many years. She has also been a teacher, a waitress and a bartender – often times teaching during the day and waitressing in the evening. In 1999, she was blessed with her son, Merrick and in 2000, started working at the United Parcel Service. From 2000-2004 Laura worked part-time on the Night Sort at UPS and would sometimes substitute teach or waitress/bartend during the day and on weekends. In 2004, she qualified as a package car driver and continues to be a delivery driver today. In 2009, at the age of 43, Laura started learning to play guitar. And as if working as a package car driver isn’t enough, in 2014 she started a part-time home-based business and in 2015 became vice-president of an anti-bullying charity.

“Out in the community every day while listening to NPR, Laura has become compelled to put her thoughts and ideas into action. Having decided to heed the call to public service, she brings into the political arena her work ethic and passion for learning. If elected Laura will put the “represent” back in the word Representative by listening to her constituents and fighting for the needs of the 15th. She will reach across the aisle to find solutions. Her top issues to address are:

“#1 Platform: Getting “dark money” and special interests out of politics – overall campaign finance reform

“Congress will continue to be in gridlock and listen to donors over constituents until comprehensive campaign finance reform is passed. Some cynics will say that it is impossible to get big money out of politics, but those people are unaware of the groundswell of public and former congressional member support. Until we put campaign finance reform as the #1 issue to address, we will keep spinning our political wheels.

“#4 Platform: Increase wages for the “90%” and establish paid sick/family leave for everyone.”

d. Josh Shapiro ~ Attorney, Montgomery County Commissioner, Ex-State Representative, Ex-Congressional Aide

“Jody Rebarchak wants state government to work again for all Pennsylvanians. As a Susquehanna Township Commissioner for six years -- including service as vice president and budget chair – she built a strong record of fiscal accountability and responsive service to residents. Jody is a dedicated community volunteer and public servant, and she knows how to engage stakeholders to fight blight, revitalize neighborhoods and improve schools. Married and the mother of three, she knows that there’s nothing more important than a first-rate quality of life–beginning with effective and fully-funded schools, and making sure that Commonwealth fulfills its mandate of working hard for Pennsylvania families.”

I will be collecting signatures for Joe Sestak and Jake Long, I will be around and at the county meeting plus I will have the petitions in my office (Lebanon Travel, 525 N. 9th St, Lebanon 675-7176. If somebody is interested in signing these petitions, I would appreciate it . Thanks.

If you are a candidate for office or a campaign staffer to a candidate, you NEED to take the time to attend this important FREE seminar!

SEMINAR 2 - CANDIDATES AND CAMPAIGNS - Saturday Feb 27, 9:30 - 3 pm; Annville American Legion. Free. RSVP to Lois Herr, herrlk@me.com, 717-371-5721.

Sample candidate topics – Motives and message; presentation in word, deed, and appearance; fundraising; working with the media; stump and elevator speeches; building a campaign staff; working with volunteers; coordination with other entities. Speakers: Siobhan (Sam) Bennett and Todd Eagen

Sample campaign topics – The Plan; budgeting; organization, research and op research; tools (e.g., signs, palm cards); offices; events (e.g., press conferences, town halls); media plan (including social media); organizing volunteers; canvassing; phone banks; Votebuilder and data collection management and use. Speakers: Walter Ludwig and Joe Bachman

Doug Lorenzen is in Florida for the winter (lucky snowbird); if you want to book LCDC's HQ for a meeting or event, please contact Dan Sidelnick on 717-926-0473 or dsidelnick@gmail.com. If there is a physical building emergency, contact Lou Caputzal on 717-867-0779.

D. Thinking about running for office in 2016 or 2017? Please get in touch with the Campaign Committee at Campaign@lebanondemocrats.com, text or call 717-873-7680 and we can steer you to the resources you will need. Also, plan to attend the LCDC Seminars we are scheduling for 2016.

E. The 2016 Democratic National Convention is on the horizon!. If you want to volunteer, all we know now is that there is a site on the web where you can indicate your interest in volunteering: http://www.phldnc.com/help-make-history/

Most representatives do not expect people to be paying attention. That’s why the more people call and express their opinions, the more likely we will be listened to. Even if you know they will never vote your way on an issue, they do keep records of how many constituents disagree with them and it might help if they hear push back from their colleagues.

We now have a Community News section on the website for community events or news not directly related to LCDC, but of interest to some of our members. http://lebanondemocrats.com/community-news/

Joel Smith is seeking photographs of local democrats at democratic functions or with democratic candidates. He’d like to compile a photo album for our website. If anyone has photos email them to lebanoncountydemocrats@gmail.com and please try to include the names of the individuals in the photo, date of the event, and event name if applicable.

If anyone has content suggestions for the website please send an email to lebanoncountydemocrats@gmail.com. The committee is open to any suggestions that will help maintain a successful web and social media presence.”

b. Facebook pages Check out these sites for more information from the Lebanon County Democratic Party on local events. If you haven’t joined this Facebook page, now’s the time!!

John Harvey has found an interesting website that has all types of statistical and demographic information related to politics. For example, here is a graph comparing the change in family income for each president since Kennedy.

The PA Democratic Committee puts out a regular bulletin with news about Democrats state-wide. There is news about the Governor, legislature, county and general news. Not sure how to subscribe to it, but it looked pretty good. You can try writing to pressoffice@padems.com if you’re interested.

If there’s anything you want to share with this newsletter audience, please let us know.

Please feel free to share it with like-minded Democrats or progressive Independents.

(All content of the newsletter is exclusively the responsibility of the editors, so if you would like to contribute or correct, please contact us directly.)

Iowa Caucus

LCDC County Democratic Committee Meeting and PETITION

PARTY, Heisey’s Diner at 7 pm, 1740 Rt 72, Lebanon 17046

Saturday, February 6, 10 am to 2 pm

Petitions available for signing at our Democratic Headquarters, 23 South 6th St., Lebanon, PA 17042

Come sign for Hillary OR Bernie, or maybe even Martin, and our local, statewide, and congressional candidates.

Stop by and learn about the candidates and your Democratic party activities!

For more information, call Lois Herr, LCDC Chair at 717-371-5721 or email at chair@lebanondemocrats.com or

Bea Brown, Campaign Committee Chair at 717-873-7680.

Sunday, February 7, 12 pm to 3 pm - Petitions available for signing at our Democratic Headquarters, 23 South 6th St., Lebanon, PA 17042

Come sign for Hillary OR Bernie, or maybe even Martin, and our local, statewide, and congressional candidates.

Stop by and learn about the candidates and your Democratic party activities!

For more information, call Lois Herr, LCDC Chair at 717-371-5721 or email at chair@lebanondemocrats.com or

Bea Brown, Campaign Committee Chair at 717-873-7680.

New Hampshire primary

Notary Event, 7-8 PM, LCDC, Jo Ellen Litz

2016 Presidential Primary Debate, 9PM

Delegate petitions due to PADems with affidavit & fee (DNC Convention)

Notary Event, 1-3 PM, LCDC, Lorraine Scudder

Notary Event, 4-6 PM, Lebanon Travel, 525 N. 9th St, Lebanon, Cesar F Liriano

Last date to circulate & file candidate & delegate

petitions

First day to circulate and file nomination papers

LEAD Meeting. Noon, Sinkhole Saloon, Palmyra

LEAD is Lebanon County’s premier liberal/progressive discussion group. Meets 3rd Thursday every month, exc. Aug

PA Progressive Summit Hilton Harrisburg, 1 N 2nd St, Harrisburg, PA

Nevada Caucus (Dem). South Carolina (Rep)

Nevada caucus (GOP)

Showing of film masterpiece SELMA at Allen Theater, Annville - 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Annville-Cleona Dem Meeting, Annville Town Hall, 36 N Lancaster St. Meets the fourth Thursday of each month.

Contact Pat Stephens, 867-1275 for more details.

Seminar 2 - Candidates & Campaigns, 9:30 am to 3 PM, Annville American Legion (click to find out more) Free. RSVP to Lois Herr, herrlk@me.com, 717-371-5721.

South Carolina (Dem)

Super Tuesday: Alabama, Alaska (GOP), Arkansas,

Colorado Caucuses, Georgia, Massachusetts,

Minnesota caucuses, North Dakota (GOP)

Last Day for withdrawal by candidates who filed nomination petitions

LCDC Executive Committee, 7 PM

Kansas caucus, Kentucky caucus (Rep),

Louisiana, Maine (Rep), Nebraska Caucus (Dem)

Maine (Dem)

Hawaii caucus (GOP_, Idaho (Rep), Mississippi, Michigan

2016 Presidential Primary Debate, 9 PM

Puerto Rico (Rep)

Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio

LCDC Executive Committee, 7 PM

LEAD Meeting. Noon, Sinkhole Saloon, Palmyra

LEAD is Lebanon County’s premier liberal/progressive discussion group. Meets 3rd Thursday every month, exc. Aug

Seminar 3 - GOTV and Election Day Activities

Arizona, Utah

Annville-Cleona Dem Meeting, Annville Town Hall, 36 N Lancaster St. Meets the fourth Thursday of each month.

Contact Pat Stephens, 867-1275 for more details.

Alaska Caucus (Dem), Hawaii caucus (Dem),

Washington (Dem)

Last Day to Register before the primary

Wisconsin

LCDC Executive Committee, 7 PM

Spring Fling

Wyoming (Dem)

LCDC Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup (tentative)

Last day to apply for a civilian Absentee ballot

New York

LCDC County Committee meeting

LEAD Meeting. Noon, Sinkhole Saloon, Palmyra

LEAD is Lebanon County’s premier liberal/progressive discussion group. Meets 3rd Thursday every month, exc. Aug

Last day for County Board of Elections to receive voted civilian absentee ballots

PRIMARY ELECTION PENNSYLVANIA

(also Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island)

First day to register after primary

Annville-Cleona Dem Meeting, Annville Town Hall, 36 N Lancaster St. Meets the fourth Thursday of each month.

Contact Pat Stephens, 867-1275 for more details.

Last Day for County Board of Elections to receive voted military and overseas absentee ballots (submitted for delivery no later than 11:59 P.M. on April 25)

Indiana

Nebraska (Rep), West Virginia

Kentucky (Dem), Oregon

Puerto Rico (Dem)

Deadline for at-large and PLEO delegate candidates to file statement and pledge with PADems for DNC

California, Montana, North Dakota (Dem),

New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota

PA Dems State Comm Meeting