Next Tuesday...

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Wednesday October 28, 2015 · 11:29 AM PDT

2015/10/28 · 11:29

I know others are trying to spread the word on PA State Supreme Court elections, I saw on DKE, that are promoting Virginia state candidates, that's great I'm all for that. I even donated a pittance to the cause. But in PA we have the an important election of our own. We have three seats open for the Supreme Court, If we win these seats Democrats will control the lines and we have a chance at fairer representation across the state. So I'm posting an email I received from DFA in the hopes it helps.

"The gerrymander of the decade."

That's what Real Clear Politics called the successful right-wing effort in 2011 to draw Pennsylvania's Congressional districts in a way that massively favored Republicans, and hurt Democrats' chances of taking back Congress.

Despite the nakedly partisan nature of the new district maps, the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected efforts by the public to have these unfair and biased districts thrown out for violating federal law and civil rights.

That's just one example of why the Pennsylvania Supreme Court matters to the future of the commonwealth and the country. No wonder the far right is going all out to elect their slate of Supreme Court candidates. If they succeed, the courts will be stacked even further in favor of the wealthy, the powerful, and the Republicans.

The first step to putting an end to this madness: electing a slate of progressive, experienced judges to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on November 3. DFA is endorsing Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court because we need to give control of the Supreme Court back to the people.

Democrats need to go on offense and elect progressive justices who will fight for a fair redistricting process. Will you help? Chip in $3 or more to support DFA's candidates for Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht are highly regarded judges who will bring an emphasis on ethics and justice for every Pennsylvanian to the Supreme Court. Donohue and Wecht received the highest rating from the Pennsylvania Bar Association, which also noted Dougherty's "judicial temperament and integrity."

All three candidates are Democrats. Unlike their Republican opponents, we have every reason to believe our endorsed slate would stand up for justice and fair representation in redistricting, for voter rights, women's rights, and so much more.

Conservative control of the U.S. Supreme Court has had a devastating effect on our country, especially decisions like Citizens United. The decisions of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court may not be as famous but they are important -- especially when it comes to drawing fair districts that give progressives a chance to take back Congress.

With an historic three Supreme Court seats up for grabs in 2015, Democrats have a unique opportunity to make sure Pennsylvania gets redistricting right in the years ahead. Chip in $3 or more to elect Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Thank you for helping take back the Supreme Court.

- Jim

Jim Dean, Chair
Democracy for America

PA Supreme Court

KingofSmoke

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday May 03, 2015 · 2:36 PM PDT

2015/05/03 · 14:36

I went to my local county committee last week or so, and found out the PA Supreme Court has 3 vacancies this year, One from Justice Joan Orie Melvin's conviction, One from Justice Seamus McCaffery's resignation, and one from a former Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. In Pennsylvania, Supreme Court justices get 10 year terms, followed by a retention vote until they reach retirement age. As always there are important elections, but even more so this time. The sitting members of the court are 2-2. With the 2020 Census coming up, The PA Supreme Court will most likely nominate the 5 member and the deciding vote in redistricting. Republicans in the state legislature will get to nominate two members, Democrats in the state legislature will get to nominate two members. Then they won't agree on the who the 5th member should be. Which they have never have in the past, So the Court will appoint the 5th member and likely the tie breaker in whose maps would get used. Now gerrymandering won't solve all the issues in to take back US house, and PA State legislatures. We can get better maps and have a much more fairer and representative office holders. Currently we have a deficit of 13-5 in house members. President Obama carried the state by 7 points. I just think this election is important and could have long lasting impact, because there is no guarantee when this number of seats will be open again. Also the issues of Voter ID or splitting the electoral votes by congressional district could come up.

First Allen West, now Thom Tillis

KingofSmoke

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Thursday October 30, 2014 · 11:52 AM PDT

2014/10/30 · 11:52

I was getting ready to write about my first experience canvassing, knocking on doors. But this morning I woke up and there is an email in my in box from Allen West. This was quite disturbing. I'm used to getting emails from Democrats for campaigns. Considering I give to those somewhat regularly. I've gotten more since I donated to Daily Kos GOTV thing. But I wonder how did I get on a list with Allen West, or now apparently with Thom Tillis. I also got one from John Bolton. Took me a minute to remember. Hey I don't like that guy.

Since I'm left of center but also very pragmatic. I can't remember the last Republican I voted for, maybe Arlen Specter in 2004 even that I'm not sure about. I found this odd. But whoever sold them my email got the better of the deal. Wondering if anyone else was suddenly get right wing fundraising or I'm just lucky.

My adventures as a Precinct Committeperson

KingofSmoke

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday August 20, 2014 · 7:37 AM PDT

2014/08/20 · 07:37

Hi,

This is my first diary, so I thought I'd share my adventures and how I became an accidental Precinct Committeeperson. I was listening to one my favorite lefty podcasts, the host was telling his frustration with his state party. So curiosity got the best of me, and I found my local county party. While I was on vacation I found out they were having a meeting and attended.

I sit down in one of the chairs off to the side, trying to take everything in. See what this will be about. I came in with no expectations. I really wanted to find out what the county party did. An older gentleman sat next to me. He asked what precinct I was in. I told him. He said there was no one from that precinct and he would talk to me about running for committee person. I had no intention of doing that but after the meeting concluded. He told me what he thought I would need to do. At this point my head is spinning with the rules, never seen Robert Rules before. I had discarded the notion until I talked to one of my buddies, soon after he convinced me to at least write in myself it would at least be a good story. So election day came and I wrote myself in. Tried to get my Mom to write me in but she said she couldn't find the right place. So with only one vote and not exactly sure I wanted to win. Especially considering I wasn't even sure what Precinct Committeman did. So a couple of weeks later I looked on the elections site, and there were two write in votes.

So at that point I figured it went to somebody else. Then a week or so later, I got a large envelope in mail. I got a certificate and it told me how I could accept my position. I've learned a few things at that point. Although I'm not sure exactly what is expected of me. I figured I would be better then no one doing the job no matter how bad I'm at it. Just thought I'd share a story on how I became an accidental committeeman. Thanks for letting me lurk around this wonderful community.

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