Saturday, January 20, 2024, 11:00am at HQ

Welcome and Introductions: Julie called the meeting to order and welcomed attendees. She acknowledged former Chair Tim Scott’s service to CADC and presented him with a small gift. She also mentioned that a petition-signing event would be taking place at HQ on January 24.

·      Julie introduced Matt Roan, CCDC Chair who spoke about the petition-signing rules—voters can sign one petition per race, and the petition signed must indicate Cumberland County/the signer’s county of residence.

Julie introduced the PA-10th Congressional District, PA State House 199th District, and PA Attorney General candidates and allowed each three minutes to speak; speaker order was determined randomly:

            PA-10th Congressional District candidates

·      Janelle Stelson – acknowledged Tim Scott’s service and the five recently-elected CASD directors. She discussed her background as a journalist and connections to Central PA, and plans to work for the people of the 10th District. She highlighted Scott Perry’s vote to not protect police officers and the reversal of Roe v. Wade as motivators for her to run for office.

·      Shamaine Daniels – discussed her background as a Harrisburg City Councilwoman, immigration attorney, and advocate for women and families. Her record of service is consistent with her values and she emphasized that democracy is under attack and women have fewer and fewer rights. She is striving to expand access to the American dream.

·      Blake Lynch – is originally from Dauphin County and is married with two boys. He’s a former WITF executive and Community Relations Director for the Harrisburg Police Dept. He’s an advocate for working families and cares about democracy and government transparency.

·      Rick Coplen – began by thanking voters, Carlisle Borough Council members, and fellow school board directors. He’s an advocate for women’s rights, proper school funding, and supported science-backed COVID policies. He stated that he is the best candidate to defeat Scott Perry, able to get votes from Democrats, Independents, and reasonable Republicans, and will represent all people.

·      William Willick – comes from a military family background, is a disabled veteran himself, and works as a truck driver. He is from Camp Hill and asks Carlisle-area voters to educate him about the specific issues they want addressed. He understands economic struggle and feels a candidate with urgency and who can solve problems now is needed. He urged attendees to encourage their friends to attend CADC meetings and vote.

·      Mike O’Brien – was raised in PA, highlighted his background as a military fighter pilot, and emphasized that he is the candidate who can defeat Scott Perry. The military is about prioritizing relationships, saving lives, and helping people—all PA values. Scott Perry tried to take away voters’ voices; Mike wants to give back to the people of PA.

·      John Broadhurst – wants to renew our community to prosperity, fair treatment for all, and asked why child and elder care isn’t affordable. He isn’t a “play it safe” candidate that won’t be able to defeat Scott Perry and isn’t backed by PAC money. He has the support of thousands of young voters and members of minority groups who haven’t turned out for elections before.

·      Bob Forbes – is a retired army sergeant with 25 years of service and currently teaches in the Harrisburg schools. He understands people’s struggles with healthcare, living on fixed incomes, and being affected by price increases.

PA State House 199th District candidates

·      Rick Christie – has the energy, passion, and time to do the job. He has played and coached football, taught school, and worked on a farm, so is familiar with rural culture. He has a social work degree and teaching experience that he wants to apply toward legislating and solving problems. He’s an advocate for public education, and LGBTQ and women’s rights.

·      Montana Hartman – is from Newville, a 2019 graduate of Cumberland Valley High School, an election poll worker, and a judge of elections. Montana is a proud progressive and supports people’s right to equality, reproductive choice, worship, and be who they are, and stands for bipartisanship, supporting local businesses and content creators, ending the industrial invasion by warehouses in Central PA and investing in mental health care.

PA Attorney General

·      Jared Solomon – was born and raised in NE Philadelphia by a single mother; acquired her strong work ethic. Served in the Army Reserve and currently in the PA National Guard. Advocates for safe, thriving neighborhoods for all citizens and won his PA State House position on his message of economic prosperity, crime reduction statistics, and increased community opportunities. He also has a reputation for standing up to wayward landlords and gun manufacturers.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:55am.