The Democrat Women of Mercer County welcomed two speakers this month. Sydney Etheredge is the Western Pennsylvania Director of Planned Parenthood, but she spoke to DWMC from her role as a board member of Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates. She warned that voters need to get to the polls to protect, not just abortion rights, but also birth control, IVF services, and access to lifesaving care for women experiencing miscarriages.
Phil Heasley, Campaign Manager for Preston for Pennsylvania, spoke to the need to vote out Mike Kelly and why Preston Nouri is the man to replace him. A congressman’s job is to help his constituents, but Kelly voted against the Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act that brought development money to Mercer County. The Alliance for Retired Americans reports that Kelly voted against 9 out of 10 bills to help seniors (he didn’t vote at all on cuts to senior programs). Preston Nouri is a young man who has already served in various positions in Washington. While working at the Pentagon, he observed the waste that could be controlled by congressional mandates. He is ready to bring federal dollars back to Mercer.
A few of the worst proposals in the Republican plan for America known as Project 2025 were discussed, including banning contraception, labor unions, and divorce. DWMC members voted to provide financial support for statewide candidates and outdoor advertising, and volunteers signed up for many upcoming events.

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​The Democrat Women of Mercer County welcomed Chaz Rice, director of the Mercer County Coalition for Drug Awareness (MCCDA) and the ROAR Center (Removing Obstacles to Assist Recovery), to their November meeting. There is a crisis of addiction in Mercer County. MCCDA is a non-profit dedicated to preventing substance abuse and helping people recover from drug and alcohol addiction with support, education, and healthy alternatives to drug use. Their latest project is RAE of HOPE, a group sober living home to help those coming out of rehab or incarceration get back into society. DWMC voted to donate $100 to the project. The GoFundMe page is RAE of HOPE Helping Others. Learn more at www.roarcentermccda.org.
DWMC business included the election of Deborah Roberson as President and re-election of Donna Piroga as Secretary, along with expressions of gratitude to Kim Powell who stepped down as President after years of service. Members set goals for the year, including the need to encourage others to join and work to preserve democracy in this critical election cycle. Upcoming events include a holiday party, book club on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays, packing boxes at the Community Food Warehouse, and a Primary Petitions Signing event at the Mannechor Club on January 7.

​The October meeting of the Democrat Women of Mercer County highlighted the importance of making our votes count in the November 7th election for local offices and statewide judicial offices. Members were encouraged to help educate voters to fill out their mail-in ballots correctly and to pay attention to the how many candidates they can vote for in each race.  In a past election, 350 ballots were not counted because the voter made a mistake when voting by mail. Ballots must be marked with blue or black ink and sealed in the secrecy envelope; then, the secrecy envelope must be sealed into the return envelope. It is essential to sign and date the return envelope with the day one is voting, NOT one’s birthday. If voters have any questions or problems, they can get advice, or even a ride, through the Democrat Women of Mercer County, PA Facebook page.
Voters should also know that the Planned Parenthood PA PAC has endorsed Judge Dan McCaffery, Judge Timika Lane, Jill Beck, and Judge Matt Wolf as the candidates that will protect women's health care choices and reproductive freedoms, and that they can vote for both Lane and Beck for Superior Court.
In School Board races, voters can find out the actual party affiliation of candidates listed on the ballot as both Democrat and Republican by going to PADems.com/candidates and searching by their street address.
The meeting closed with plans to Get Out The Vote for Democratic candidates.

July’s meeting was centered around taking action. Members wrote letters to State Sen. Michelle Brooks asking her to support several important pieces of legislation, including the Fairness Act (equal protections for members of the LGBTQ community) and the Patient Safety Act (safe staffing ratios for nurses).
We also brainstormed letter to the editor ideas and ways to research topics and talking points, resulting in several letters being submitted to local papers during the meeting.
Members were asked to support the Mercer County Democrat Party at DemStock on Aug. 11 and 12 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. DemStock is an opportunity for rural Democrats to work together and share ideas, as well as meet candidates and help their campaigns.
The Mercer County Democratic Party will be selling lunch items on Saturday of the event and DWMC Members can help by attending, working the lunch counter, or donating lunch supplies in advance. DemStock will also be collecting socks to donate to a local shelter. For tickets and more information, visit www.demstock.net.

The monthly meeting of Democrat Women of Mercer County was a kick-off to petition season. Every candidate must get enough signatures of registered voters in their party to get on the ballot. DWMC helped in a big way. For John Fetterman and Josh Shapiro, Mercer was among the top five counties in number of petition signatures and among the top three for Brian Sims.
Because of disputes on drawing the new state legislative districts, candidates for state offices could not start circulating petitions until last weekend. DWMC members are carrying petitions for Rianna Czech for State Senate and Mitchel Henderson and Tim McGonigle for State Representative. Petitions will be available to sign Wednesday, March 23 from 5:30 to 8 PM at Our Gang’s, 93 North Sharpsville Avenue in Sharon and on Saturday, March 26 from 10 AM to noon at Faraone Brothers, 1015 S. Mill Street in New Castle.
It’s expensive to run for office, so members were asked to support the candidates: Rianna Czech by credit card through ActBlue.com or a check payable to Czech for Change, PO Box 298, Conneautville, PA 16406; Mitchel Henderson by check payable to Committee to Elect Mitchel Henderson, 135 Plum St, Greenville, PA 16125.; Tim McGonigle by check payable to Friends of Tim McGonigle, PO Box 1235, Hermitage, PA 16148.
DWMC members are holding voter registration events, collecting children’s books to give out at a local Juneteenth celebration, and participating in the Memory Walk Against Addiction on Saturday, April 30. For more information or to join the next DWMC meeting on April 9th, go to DWMC on Facebook.
 
When:  Saturday, April 30th at 8:00 AM
Where:  Valley Baptist Church; 500 Sharon New Castle Rd, Farrell
What:  If you would like to make a donation to benefit Operation Lighthouse, make check payable to "Minority Health" and note in the memo "From DWMC" and mail to Kim Powell, 228 Cohassett Dr, Hermitage, PA 16148.  If you'd like to walk with the DWMC Group, please contact Kim at [email protected] or (724)734-1399
 
DWMC April Meeting, via Zoom
When: Saturday, April 9th at 10 AM

It is Primary Season, and more than 40 members joined the monthly Democrat Women of Mercer County virtual meeting to hear from the Democratic candidates. The speakers included US Representatives Conor Lamb and Malcolm Kenyatta and PA Lt. Governor John Fetterman running for US Senate, Dan Pastore and Rick Telesz running for US Representative, PA Representative Brian Sims running for PA Lt. Governor, Rianna Czech running for PA Senate, and campaign staffer for PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro who is running for Governor.
The first step in electing Democrats in 2022 is signing petitions to get the candidates on the ballot. All of these candidates, and more, will be at the Maennerchor Club in Sharon for a petition signing and fund raising event on Sunday, March 6th at 1 PM. 
DWMC members expressed their gratitude for Rep. Mark Longietti’s 16 years of excellent service to his constituents, and look forward to working with the candidates to replace him in Harrisburg, Mercer County Commissioner Tim McGonigle and Mitchel Henderson.
The next DWMC meeting is March 12th at 10 AM via Zoom. Contact President Kim Powell at [email protected] or 724-734-1499 for the link.

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 [email protected] to get a link to the Zoom session.

​The Democrat Women of Mercer County met via Zoom to celebrate the election of Joe Biden as President Elect and to get busy on the next important election: the Georgia Senate races. 
The group took only a few minutes to cheer for Biden, Kamala Harris, and Josh Shapiro, our re-elected Attorney General, before turning to Get-Out-the-Vote efforts for the January 5th runoff election of two Senators in Georgia. DWMC encourages donations and participation for Georgia candidates Ossoff and Warnock for Senate and Fair Fight, which promotes fair voter participation in elections. Go to the DWMC website or Facebook page to see how you can help in these efforts.
DWMC President Kim Powell conveyed profound thanks to all of the Democratic candidates who ran this year and to all of the volunteers who helped them run.
The election went very well with voter turn-out increasing to 75% of registered Mercer County voters compared to 69% in 2016. Thad Hall was lauded for running a responsive, free and fair election.
Because of Covid-19, the DWMC Christmas Banquet was cancelled.
The organization’s website is getting a make-over. Democratwomenmc.org will now offer more information about the group’s mission, current efforts, and the Democratic view of the issues that affect Americans and the world.

​The October meeting of Democrat Women of Mercer County began just west of Philadelphia. Nina Ahmad, candidate for Auditor General, spoke to us from a Back to Blue parade. Dr. Ahmad’s resume (ninaforpa.com) is as impressive as her plans for auditing taxpayer dollars. As our fiscal watchdog, she plans to post commonwealth spending online and to point out how funds could be used more efficiently. Audits inform legislators about how well they are serving all of the people. While Ahmad will suggest more effective spending, only Pennsylvania voters can push legislators to make changes. Ahmad will also form community councils to discuss the effects of state spending locally.
Dr. Ahmad has a long list of endorsements, including her old boss, Barack Obama, and The Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board, which wrote, “We believe she would bring a wider perspective, and the ability to not only question spending of state agencies, but how government operates and the priorities it makes.”
Closer to home, Thad Hall, Mercer County Director of Elections, reassured us that all is in order for this election season. Mail-in ballots were sent the week of October 6th. Call his office if you haven’t received your requested ballot by October 16th. Return your ballot ASAP. Be sure to use blue or black ink; seal the ballot in the secrecy envelope and then into the return envelope; fill in, sign, and date the Voter’s Declaration on the back; and drop it in the mail. Alternatively, you can return your ballot in person to the County Board of Elections in the courthouse, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, or bring your ballot AND both envelopes to your polling place on November 3rd.  A disabled voter can fill out a form to authorize someone to help them obtain or return a ballot (search “designated agent” at votespa.com).
On Election Day, Hall will update results hourly as each of our 90 precincts report. But, election results may not be clear for a few days. Two thirds of Mercer’s registered Democrats requested a mail-in ballot, which will not begin to be counted until November 4th.
Kristy Gnibus, candidate for Congress, has been busy meeting voters on whistle stop tours throughout district 16. She has a brand new TV spot; more donations will keep it on air. And, she’ll be in Hermitage for a fund-raiser on Friday. To attend, go to the DWMC Facebook page to find a link to RSVP.
Get-Out-The-Vote efforts are going strong. Go to the DWMC Facebook page to get involved in phone banking or text banking from home, distributing voter information (contact free), driving voters to the polls, or being a poll observer on Election Day. Pick up candidate yard signs, pins and stickers on Saturday, October 17th from noon to 3 pm at the gas station next to Panera Bread. Wear a Biden button every day; people smile and say, “I like your button!”