Now that Northampton County's Glenn Reibman has decided against the state senate seat vacated by Rob Wonderling, Quakertown businessman Patrick Murphy is seeking the endorsement of Dem party bosses in Northampton, Lehigh, Bucks and Montgomery counties.Murphy was employed as Richland Township's Emergency Management Coordinator, but was fired in 2003 after he circulated a nomination petition for the Green Party in a township supervisor race. He was awarded a $50,000 settlement after a court ruled his actions were protected by the First Amendment.
Richland Township Democratic committee member Brian Kline is advocating Murphy's nomination. Here's why, in his own words.
"Are you as outraged as I am over the Republicans scheduling a special election for the 24th state Senate seat on September 29? As Democratic lawmakers in Harrisburg continue to fight Republican budget proposals to cut public education funding, Republican Lieutenant Governor Joe Scarnati has scheduled a $400,000 taxpayer-funded coronation for Bob Mensch on September 29th.
"We can sit around all day and curse the Republicans for scheduling this sham special election, but it won’t get us anywhere. We have less than 60 days till the September 29th special election. We must turn our anger into action - and we must begin organizing today.
"Pat Murphy - my Democratic colleague in Richland – has stepped to the plate and accepted the challenge in turning the 24th Democratic Blue. Pat has never backed down from a fight, no matter how tough the fight may be. I have seen Pat on the campaign trail knocking on doors ten hours a day, seven days a week. It will take even more to win this race. But Pat is up for the challenge.
"The Pennsylvania State Senate is the only Republican-controlled chamber in the Northeast. For years the Republican-controlled state Senate has been an obstacle to reforming healthcare, public education funding and property taxes. Electing Pat Murphy to the State Senate on September 29th will not overturn the Republican majority, but it will change the dynamics by electing another progressive voice for working families.
"Moving forward we face a very unique nomination process, where by the Democratic chairs from Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh and Northampton will pick the Democratic nominee no later than August 10 – one week from today. They need to hear our voice and our support for Pat Murphy. Below I have included contact information for the four county chairs. Please contact the county chairs ASAP and tell them why Pat Murphy should be our Democratic nominee."
In solidarity,
Brian Kline
Richland Township Democratic Committee
Bucks County Democratic Committee Chair John Cordisco
info@bucksdemocrats.org
Montgomery County Democratic Committee Chair Marcel Groen
info@mcdems.org
Lehigh County Democratic Committee Chair Rick Daugherty
info@LehighDems.org
Northampton County Democratic Chair Joe Long
info@northamptoncountydems.org
