Dems stress vote at annual dinner
PENN TWP — State officials rallied for Democratic voter turnout in Butler County at Friday night's annual Butler County Democratic dinner.
Democrats from local school board races all the way up to the governor's office gathered at the Butler Country Club for a round of speeches and food.
About 175 attended the dinner, which kicked off with a keynote speech from Lt. Gov. John Fetterman.
“I salute red county Democrats all across Pennsylvania,” Fetterman said. “It isn't easy.”
Fetterman joked about Democratic events in Republican-dominated counties, like Butler County, feeling like support groups.
He called for Democrats in communities like Butler to be more forthcoming with their beliefs, saying that he hears too often that Democrats in rural areas are afraid of putting up yard signs.
“If you can't turn it blue, turn it purple,” Fetterman said. “If you can't turn it purple, turn it pink.”
Similar notions were expressed throughout the evening.
U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, D-17th, spoke some about how he won election last year, saying he had to knock on lots of doors in traditionally Republican districts to get votes.
State Sen. Sharif Street, D-3rd, began his speech saying that the Democratic party did a disservice to Western Pennsylvania in 2016, and that they're working to spend more time here. Street is vice chairman of the state party organization.
He employed the Grand Canyon as a metaphor in his speech.
“It's a big red rock,” Street said. “But a tiny little blue stream cut the biggest hole through it. You can't spell Butler without blue.”
Both the Democrats running for Pennsylvania Superior Court gave speeches. Those are Amanda Green-Hawkins and Daniel McCaffery. The pair gave stump speeches focused predominantly on issues and their own lives.
Green-Hawkins, a Steelworker union attorney, spoke at length about the rights of organized labor in Pennsylvania. McCaffery talked about the importance of immigrants to the country's history and future.
The night was crowded with candidates for local office. Bob Dandoy, a city council candidate, and Paula Painter, a candidate for county prothonotary, both spoke.
Both William “Wink” Robinson and Jennifer Gilliland Vanasdale were present. Both are seeking a court of common pleas judge position this November. Robinson will appear on the ballot, while Vanasdale is running a write-in campaign.
Both the Democrats who have declared their candidacy for the nomination to run against U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, attended. Those are Adams Township's Dan Smith and Erie County's Kristy Gnibus.
County Democrat Chairwoman Catherine LaLonde and County Commissioner Kevin Boozel ran the event, with Boozel serving as emcee.
