PENNSYLVANIA FOCUS: Election Results Mixed

Progressives had mixed results in Pennsylvania last week. Progressives took control of the Kennett Square Borough Council (western Philadelphia suburb) with the election of openly gay Jessie Cocks. But they were not able to break the conservative stranglehold in either Chester or Montgomery Counties. For example, Joe Hoeffel and Ruth Damsker ran as a ticket to the county council, yet were only partly successful. Unfortunately, Ruth lost a close race and will not be joining Joe on the county council. Candidates under 35 stormed the ballot box, with future progressive stars Heather Arnet (Pittsburgh School Board), Jason Salus (Conshohocken City Council), and William Reynolds (Bethlehem City Council) winning their races. Here are the full results of the Progressive Majority endorsed candidates:

County Offices

Kevin Christie, Chester County Sheriff: Lost with 43% of the vote.

Bill Scott, Chester County Commissioner: Lost in four candidate field.

Kathi Cozzone, Chester County Commissioner: Elected out of a four candidate field.

Peter Amuso, Montgomery County District Attorney: Lost with 44% of the vote.

Ruth Damsker, Montgomery County Commissioner: Lost with 23% of the vote.

Joseph Hoeffel, Montgomery County Commissioner: Won with 25% of the vote.

Lamont McClure, Jr., Northampton County Council, District 3: Won with 51% of the vote.

John Maher, Northampton County Council, District 4: Lost with 44% of the vote.

Tony Branco, Northampton County Council: Lost with 45% of the vote.


City Offices

Mary Jeffery, Bensalem Township Council: Lost by finishing third in four candidate field.

Alex McDowell, Bensalem Township Council: Lost by finishing fourth in four candidate field.

German Yakubov, Bensalem Township Auditor: Lost with 43% of the vote.

Willy Reynolds, Bethlehem City Council: Won with 26% of the vote.

Jason Salus, Conshohocken City Council, Ward 1: Won with 55% of the vote.

Jessie Cocks, Kennett Township City Council: Won with 26% of the vote.

Jennifer D'Amato-Dow, Plymouth Township Council, Ward 2: Lost with 42% of the vote.


School Boards

Lisette Agosto, Bensalem School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Paul Bujwid, Bensalem School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Melissa Heller, Bensalem School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Tom Humesky, Bensalem School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Janette Reed, Bensalem School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Jerold Glick, Colonial School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Dave Reppert, Colonial School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Fred Dugan, Colonial School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Crystal Taylor, Colonial School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Frank Gillen, Colonial School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Heather Arnet, Pittsburgh School Board, District 2: Won with 99.7% of the vote. (Wow! THAT is a win!!)


Progressive Majority is one of the most successful grassroots organizations in America. Yet clearly they have a long way to go in Pennsylvania. They have been far more successful in states like Washington, Arizona and Colorado. To help build a Progressive Majority in Pennsylvania step by step, please join them!

And to get really local, join your community's Pennsylvania for Democracy group. It is the best way to get involved as an individual in your local political scene.