Democratic Bucks County Sheriff candidate Danny Ceisler shook up traditional campaign fundraising with a high-energy Labor Day concert at Broken Goblet Brewery. The event featured two of the region’s most beloved musicians: Don McCloskey and The Band and Dave Hause & The Mermaid.
Ceisler, who is challenging Republican incumbent Sheriff Fred Harran, used the evening to connect with voters in a more personal and unconventional setting. Between musical sets, he delivered a brief but impassioned speech, reflecting on his military service and emphasizing the importance of voter turnout — particularly among Democrats. He pledged to focus law enforcement efforts on “real criminals,” a pointed critique of Harran’s support for bringing ICE operations to Bucks County under policies aligned with former President Donald Trump.
In a surprise moment that thrilled the crowd, Ceisler joined McCloskey onstage for a spirited rendition of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down,” with Hause joining in on vocals and guitar.
The night had a festive, grassroots energy as supporters danced and mingled to the sound of McCloskey’s band, who performed tracks from his recent album The Chaos and the Beauty. A crowd favorite was his tongue-in-cheek anthem “Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys (Fans),” which had attendees singing along.
McCloskey, a Bristol native known for his politically conscious songwriting and sold-out shows at venues like World Cafe Live, brought both charm and urgency to the event.
Hause, a Philadelphia punk rock staple, closed out the night with a hard-hitting set alongside his band The Mermaid. While he voiced support for Ceisler, Hause largely let his blistering, politically charged songs speak for themselves.
As younger candidates like Ceisler embrace creative, community-driven campaign events, they may offer the Democratic Party a much needed infusion of energy and new voices.
