Local Democrats Throw Support Behind State House Representative Candidates

While 48 days away might not sound imminent to most people, for the members of the Democratic Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth (DCLMN) Nov. 2 might as well be tomorrow.

The regularly scheduled committee meeting on Tuesday night, Sept. 14, was home to a rush of political activity, including official endorsements for local state representative candidates Pam DeLissio (194th district, also in attendance at the meeting), Mike Gerber (148th district) and Tim Briggs (149th district). Most of Ardmore, Merion and Wynnewood fall under Pennsylvania's 149th district, with parts of Wynnewood in Pennsylvania's 148th.

A statement lauding the candidacy of all three democrats was read, and unanimously ratified by a group of over 50 committee members in attendance.

The statement said DeLissio is an excellent candidate to current 194th representative Kathy Manderino, who is retiring after serving in the position since 1992. It also praised the candidacy of incumbents Gerber and Briggs, "Pam, Mike and Tim all share the values of the party, and will work hard to help persons of all economic situations, to maintain services and improve quality of life."

DCLMN Co-Chairperson Bill Leopold said that the formal endorsement is a way to help raise support for the candidates, and also draw attention to some of the lesser-known local candidates. "We need to get our troops mobilized, not just for the big-ticket U.S. Senate and governor races, but for the state house candidates as well."

DeLissio is running against Republican Tim Downey and Green Party candidate Hugh Giordano, recently profiled in Roxborough-Manayunk Patch. Gerber, first elected in 2004, is running against Republican candidate Matt Maguire, and Briggs is running against Republican candidate Peter Kohut.