This fall we have two new, strong local Democrat candidates running in the upcoming election: Beth Farnham, who is challenging incumbent John Joyce for the huge 13th District U.S. Congressional seat, and Cameron Schroy, who is challenging incumbent Doug Mastriano for the 33rd District PA Senate seat. Both Beth and Cameron are well-worth supporting.
But let us not forget our tried-and-true U.S. Senator Bob Casey. As a member of Gettysburg Democracy for America, in its early years I marched in Washington and lobbied in Harrisburg with the DFA healthcare task force. We came to know the senator as a champion for Medicaid, the ACA, and affordable drug prices, and for children, especially those with disabilities or genetic diseases. Casey listens to citizens’ compelling stories of their struggles to pay medical bills, and he reaches across the aisle in the Senate, sharing their stories with his peers. When I’ve written to the Senator about a particular bill or cause, he always writes back with lengthy explanations of why this bill is needed (or not, as the case may be).
As another example of Casey as a thoughtful, caring man, when Senator John Fetterman was recuperating from a serious illness, Casey helped him continue his job by bringing him bills to review and working with him. Like Biden, Casey is a Catholic, and his views on abortion have shifted over time, as they have for many Catholics. The overthrow of Roe solidified Casey’s transition to thinking of abortion as a reproductive healthcare issue. And his votes, such as for continuing Federal support of Planned Parenthood, reflect his strong belief in reproductive freedom.
Popular as Senator Casey is, he is in a difficult race with billionaire Dave McCormick, a Trump loyalist and hedge fund CEO whose main residence is a $16-million mansion in Connecticut. Money talks, making anti-reproductive-rights McCormick not only the toughest challenger Casey has ever had, but also threatening the Democrats’ fragile control of the U.S. Senate. Casey needs and deserves our support.
Jeanne Duffy
102 Park Avenue
Gettysburg
Jeanne Duffy, Ph.D., has served as a college professor, an analyst and project manager for several large companies, and a college administrator in charge of foundation and government support. She is on the Steering Committee of Gettysburg Democracy for America and a member of its Government Accountability and Healthcare task forces.
I’d sure like to forget Bob Casey. He needs to go..