Wamsley Wants More Bethlehem Dems to Vote

At one time, I thought there were three Democratic parties in Bethlehem. Bob Donchez and John Morganelli, who started out as errand boys for the party and former Congressman Fred B. Rooney, are now the old guard. They are still the biggest group of Bethlehem Democrats, which are virtually indistinguishable from Bethlehem Republicans. But there are numerous other factions. Club Callahan, whose leader at this point appears to be Willie Reynolds, is a bit to the left of the old guard. As you go more and more left, you'll see other pockets that include LV4All, South Side Democrats and, of course, the Lehigh U Birkenstocks. Some people consider themselves member of all these groups, like Becky Wamsley. It's a good thing, too, because she has chaired the City Dems since June.

Becky told me she first first got interested in politics a few years ago. I believe Trump's ascendancy may have sparked her. She told me that Bethlehem has a Democratic majority, but would like to see the precincts delivering more votes than in the past. She is more interested in seeing a unified Democratic vote than in siding with any of the factions.

She had opposition when she ran for party chair. But she told me she wants to move forward and to cause no rifts within her party. he goal is to increase Dem turnout in Bethlehem., and I hope she succeeds.