The Democrat Women of Mercer County heard from quite a few candidates over Zoom this month. Candidates for judge and for local offices are asking to serve us and do the hard work of protecting our rights and keeping our towns and schools running. The primary elections on May 18th may not be as exciting as a Presidential or Senate race, but our daily lives are affected more by the leaders we choose for our city councils and courts. DWMC gave members suggestions and links to phone banking organizers to promote voter registration through the May 3rd deadline and voting in the primary. Voters can see their list of candidates on the Mercer County government website at www.mcc.co.mercer.pa.us/election/ElectionGuides/2021.UMOVA.Primary.Notice.pdf.
There are three proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot. The first limits the power of the Governor to declare an emergency; the second automatically ends a state of emergency after 21 days unless the legislature votes to extend it. They would severely limit the Governor—and any future Governor—in keeping Pennsylvanians safe before, during, and after any disaster, natural or man-made. When disasters strike and lives are at stake, there is no time to wait for 253 politicians in Harrisburg to have a political debate. It is impossible to predict how or how long the impacts of a disaster will affect any one community. This proposal subjects disaster emergency declarations to the political winds. If a devastated community is not of interest to the party in power, it may be left to suffer. Democrats are urged to vote NO on the first two proposed amendments.
The third amendment creates a constitutional prohibition against restricting or denying an individual’s equal rights under Pennsylvania law because of race or ethnicity and applies to all state, county and local governmental entities. If approved, the General Assembly may pass new laws to implement the amendment, but it may not pass a law inconsistent with it. Democrats are urged to vote YES.

NO, NO, YES. Alphabetical and easy to remember.
Back to national affairs, members were encouraged to push Senator Pat Toomey to vote for the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO-Act). Sen. Bob Casey is a co-sponsor and Rep. Mike Kelly has already voted against this bill that would empower workers to organize and bargain.

​The January meeting of the Democrat Women of Mercer County was all about the Pennsylvania Judiciary. Five candidates for PA’s appellate courts introduced themselves, and an alarm was raised about HB38, an effort by legislators to introduce gerrymandering into how we elect judges.
Pennsylvania’s appellate judges preside over appeals brought from all over the state, and they are chosen in statewide elections. Republicans in the state legislature are trying to change the constitution to create voting districts for the appellate courts. If they succeed in gerrymandering the judiciary, whichever party is in power would draw district lines to favor their chosen candidates.
A bill to put the issue on the May 18th primary ballot, HB 38, will be voted on soon, and many organizations, including the non-partisan League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania and Fair Districts PA, are working to oppose it. The Women’s Law Project produced a video that explains what HB 38 would do and how it would undermine constitutional checks and balances among our branches of state government: www.facebook.com/watch/?v=274640333958758.
DWMC members were asked to contact their state representatives to oppose HB38.
This November, voters will elect four judges to the Commonwealth Court, three judges to the Superior Court, and one judge to the Supreme Court. The candidates for those seats will be chosen in the primary election on May 18. A few of them spoke via Zoom to plead their cases.
Amanda Green Hawkins, running for Commonwealth Court, is a lawyer with United Steelworkers. She was twice elected to Allegheny County Council and focused her legal career defending working families. Visit AmandaGreenHawkins.com to learn more.
Judge David Spurgeon, another candidate for Commonwealth Court, has served on the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas since 2016. In the Family Division, he handles matters involving children and families and is recognized as a national expert on domestic violence. Learn more at JudgeSpurgeon4commonwealth.com.
Jill Beck, an experienced lawyer running for Superior Court Judge, has built her career advocating for children in Allegheny County. Go to JillBeck.com to learn about her accomplishments and qualifications.
Common Pleas Court Judge Tamika Lane is also running for Superior Court. She presides over the Major Trials program in the Criminal Division, chairs various committees, and still finds time to visit high schools to teach civics. Get to know her at JudgeLane.com.
Judge Maria McLaughlin visited all 67 Pennsylvania counties when she successfully ran for Superior Court in 2017, and she will do the same this year in her run for Supreme Court. Learn about her career at JudgeMcLaughlin.com.
There will be an important local election this year, as well. Hermitage voters will elect a new Commissioner. Brian Skibo, a Hermitage native with deep roots in the small business community, announced his candidacy. Learn about his vision for Hermitage at www.facebook.com/Skibo4Hermitage.
The next DWMC meeting is February 13 at 10 AM. Email DemocratWomenmc@gmail.com to get a link to the Zoom session.