Delaware County Democratic
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June 30, 2003
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Delco Democrats Endorse Congressman Joe Hoeffel for US Senate
The Delaware County Democratic Party became the first county party organization in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to officially speak out on who the Democratic candidate against Arlen Specter should be in the 2004 contest for the US Senate. In a unanimous vote, the party Leader's Council endorsed Congressman Joseph M. Hoeffel (D-13) of Montgomery County.
Hoeffel, who represents a part of Montgomery County and most of Northeast Philadelphia, was elected to a third term in Congress last November, after having served two terms as a Montgomery County Commissioner and four terms as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
During the June 26th meeting of the Delaware County Democratic Leaders Council, County Chairman Cliff Wilson announced his personal endorsement of Hoeffel, and praised Hoeffel as "the perfect candidate to combat the radical right wing agenda of President Bush and to hold Senator Specter accountable for aligning himself with that disastrous agenda." Wilson also stated that "many Democrats around the state view the prospect of facing Arlen Specter as an unappealing task. But Congressman Hoeffel correctly understands that Specter is vulnerable next year. He has totally aligned himself with Bush's extremism and faces a strong challenge from conservatives within his own party."
Following the chairman's personal endorsement and remarks, a motion from the floor was made to formally endorse Hoeffel's candidacy. The vote was unanimous, with a majority of voting members in attendance.
Congressman Hoeffel's voting record has been in tandem with the basic Democratic Party positions that were endorsed overwhelmingly by the voters of Delaware County in November, 2000 when, like a majority of Americans, they voted for Al Gore for President. Now Democrats begin the crusade to restore America to a program of progress, tolerance and peace. Since coming to Congress in 1999, Congressman Hoeffel has earned a reputation as a hard working, articulate legislator, who is a progressive on social issues and a deficit hawk on the economy. Of particular importance to voters in Delaware County, Congressman Hoeffel was successful in his efforts to bring a public health center to Montgomery County and is supporting legislation that would slow suburban sprawl and make our communities more livable. Delaware County has no public health effort and has failed in its mediocre efforts to control sprawl.
Now in his third term in Congress, Hoeffel has worked hard on promoting fiscal restraint, balancing the federal budget, paying down our national debt, reforming education, improving international relations, protecting the environment and expanding health care.
"We are excited to begin this campaign with such a respected and well-qualified candidate," Wilson said. "Congressman Hoeffel has now made this one of the most pivotal and competitive Senate contests in the nation."
Click here to visit the webpage of Congressman Joe Hoeffel.