I attended Monday night’s PA-01’s Democratic congressional primary candidate forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters – Bucks County and wondered why something like this took so long to happen.
Candidates Bob Harvie and Lucia Simonelli spent almost two hours responding to questions from the league and voters in the audience. The room was packed: standing (and sitting) room only. Each candidate was civil and respectful to each other. Each exhibited their strengths and values and showed why they would be 100 times better than our current Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, who time and again has enabled the horrific MAGA policies and is too afraid to meet his constituents in such a public forum.
So when I heard Lucia and Bob publicly answering 20 questions, my despair about the dying of our democracy left me. I was filled with pride about the event. This is what democracy looks like: an engaged audience of citizens expressing their concerns and two fine candidates looking to serve the People, not the rich and powerful.
People will ask who won the debate? Here is my answer: the biggest loser of the night was the democracy-hating GOP and the Fitzpatrick dynasty. Either of these fine candidates can defeat Brian in November.
Now that I have shared my optimism, now let me complain.
Ever since Lucia became an official candidate by acquiring the requisite petition signatures, Democrats on social media have not been so polite to her. Many urged her to drop out because she was allegedly “hurting” Bob’s chances to win. They seem to have forgotten that just because the Bucks County Democratic Committee (BCDC) endorsed Bob, that, in a democracy, ultimately the People choose the candidate in the primary. Furthermore, BCDC sent out “Official Sample” Ballots online that didn’t have the courtesy of listing Lucia’s name anywhere at all. She was referred to simply as “Unendorsed Candidate.” Hence her joke in her opening statement that her name was Lucia Simonelli and not Unendorsed Candidate. I like her sense of humor.
One more complaint.
Why hasn’t BCDC promoted weekly public forums with Bob and Lucia all over Bucks County since they became official candidates back in March?
As I, and many others learned at the forum, both candidates have strengths and attract a diversity of voters. If I had two jewels, I would showcase them everywhere. If Democrats are to attack the GOP for their failure to support our democracy, Democrats in Bucks County should be practicing democracy in their own backyard. I hope Lucia and Bob, with the support of BCDC, have several more forums between now and May 19 so the People will be educated about their values, policies and platforms and make their own good decision about who should defeat no-town-hall Brian in November.
Now back to the good news.
Lucia spoke with such inspiration.
At times she was lyrical with her speech, reminding us of the values which make many of us choose the Democratic Party. Her opening line was a quote from a non-profit she works with that sent my political soul soaring: “None of us are home until all of us are home.” Her words resonated on so many levels: income inequality, housing unaffordability, equality, justice, empathy and then the contrast with the heartless cruelty of the GOP. She later had the political savvy to conclude her remarks with the same visionary words.
READ: Lucia Simonelli Wants PA-01 Democrats to Vote Their Hopes, Not Their Fears
Throughout her answers, she had a focus on creating a vision of America that was good for all. She adamantly wants to move America to the goal of universal healthcare. She clearly and passionately exclaimed that health care is a universal basic human right. She wants to push for a $20 minimum wage. When she spoke about environmental issues, she clearly had an astute detailed command of facts and policy details that revealed an empowering intelligence that reflected her PhD education. Having worked in Washington developing climate and energy policy for Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, she knows how to create effective legislation that could get things done for the benefit of the People.
Bob showed his lifelong commitment to public service.
He has been a history teacher, a township supervisor and currently is our county commissioner. Like Lucia, he has a working class background and is dedicated to improving the lives of Bucks County residents. Bob would make progressives happy if they heard his words attacking Citizens United and his pledge not to accept corporate PAC money. Bob, like Lucia, wants to restore all the cuts to social services made by this administration and have big corporations pay their fair share. Bob was sincere and passionate about his dislike for the votes and policies of our current Congressman. I am confident that Bob would do a much better job. Like Lucia, Bob wants to make voting more safe, secure and easy and has done so here in Bucks County. Both are against the phony GOP SAVE ACT that would make it harder for citizens to vote. Bob listed many of his accomplishments in his many years of public service which should instill confidence that if elected to Congress, he would get things done for our district and America.
I won’t go into all the details of their almost two hour answers to the 20 questions. But I will say that I was proud they both were against this pointless war in Iran, against the GOP cuts to social services, against the horrific actions of ICE, and against the corruption of our democracy by big corporate money from special interest groups. Both candidates would have the interests of the People at heart and be champions for affordable housing, for unions, for investment in public education, and for term limits for both Congress and the Supreme Court. It was a pleasure to hear a sincere affirmation of our Democratic Party’s values and vision. So I hope that our local Democratic Party and social media warriors see the wisdom in supporting a robust democratic Democratic primary where excitement and enthusiasm can be built in standing room only halls and across the print and social media platforms. We have two fine candidates, including a new young 39-year-old Lucia who should be welcomed into our Big Tent Party with open arms along with the new inspired voters she brings with her.
Let’s enjoy our primary season with civility and respect, spirited debate and joy.
