October 18, 2023
Fitzpatrick Votes for Jim Jordan, Twice
by Hal Wright

PA01 Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, who calls himself a moderate and an independent, has twice voted for speaker candidate Jim Jordan. Jordan denies that Joe Biden is the legitimate POTUS, participated in January 6, ignored a congressional subpoena, and proposed defunding the FBI, Fitzpatrick's former employer.

The first vote on Tuesday sparked immediate responses in the press and on social media.

"Why does Brian Fitzpatrick lack the political courage to vote against an election-denying anti-choice extremist, while other members of the GOP are standing on the right side of justice?" asked Ashley Ehasz, who ran against Fitzpatrick in 2022 and will oppose him again in 2024.

Indivisible, a nationwide activist organization, condemned "Fitzpatrick's vote to put a disreputable and hyper-partisan lawmaker in the line of presidential succession."

Former Capitol Police officer Michael Fanone, who suffered a heat attack and traumatic brain injury as a result of the insurrection, criticized Fitzpatrick and other House Republicans. "I witnessed the deadly assault on our democracy with my own eyes, which is why it absolutely disgusts me that extreme Republicans could choose an insurrectionist and election denier as their leader — someone who knew about January 6th ahead of time yet did nothing to stop it,” said Fanone.

A pro-Fitzpatrick PAC has attempted to distract from the votes for Jordan by revisiting Fitzpatrick's work to keep the government open during the recent budget crisis. But Fitzpatrick was a key player in how the House arrived at the dysfunction we are seeing today. In Kevin McCarthy's campaign to be elected speaker, Fitzpatrick lobbied vigorously on McCarthy's behalf. McCarthy rewarded Fitzpatrick for his support with help in fundraising. The laborious deal-making which landed McCarthy the speaker role after 15 votes left McCarthy vulnerable to being voted out as speaker, and that's exactly what happened.

It's unclear how Fitzpatrick intends to make the case for being moderate and independent after voting for a far-right firebrand with no ability to pass legislation and a record of attempting to disenfranchise voters, including those in his district. For now, Fitzpatrick may be less worried about support from moderates than with attacks from Mark Houck, who is challenging him from the right in the 2024 primary. Of course, a true independent interesting in getting Congress back to work would have voted for Hakeem Jeffries, and would have persuaded other self-proclaimed independents to do the same.

Bucks County needs a Congressperson who represents their interests, not those of a Republican Party beholden to Trump and the MAGA base.

October 4, 2023
Phil Calabro and Elen Snyder for Supervisor
by Hal Wright

Phil and Elen serve Newtown Township with skill and integrity. They have earned our enthusiastic support.

Let's be clear: Managing a township is no joke. It's a job for serious, intelligent people with a long-standing and deep commitment to serving their community. Ideally, a township supervisor sees the job as an end in itself and not a stepping stone to something else.

This is precisely what Phil Calabro and Elen Snyder bring to the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors.

Phil is running for his fourth six-year term. Elen was elected in 2021 after playing a pivotal role, along with Phil, in the creation of Roberts Ridge Park. Their platform — with its emphasis on sound fiscal policy, the environment, smart growth, and securing fire services — is specific, because Phil and Elen work hard to understand the needs of our community and to formulate solutions.

Now, democracy is messy, and governance at any level involves difficult choices. It's always possible to tease out details on an issue and put a negative spin on them. Often it seems our politics consists of such misleading statements and little else. Phil's and Elen's opponents have promised not to play these "games," but in recent days they have done exactly that. They are aspiring politicians who promise not to engage in politics. Their platform is generic, devoid of details, because they have no experience to draw upon and no actual solutions to the challenges we face.

Bashing DC for its dysfunction is all the rage in this year's municipal election cycle. But claiming, as their opponents have done, that Phil and Elen are responsible for "infecting" our municipal government with DC politics is silly and unserious. Phil and Elen are laser-focused on the issues that matter to us. And, as recent days have reminded us, their opponents belong to the party of chaos.

Values and character matter. Phil and Elen do not need to run against the values of their party to represent the good citizens of Newtown Township, as their opponents must. Phil and Elen stand up for the environment, for robust public services, and for our individual rights. And with the help of their colleagues, they have put out the fiscal dumpster fire left by their opponents' party while keeping our taxes among the lowest in Bucks County.

On November 7, vote for both Phil Calabro and Elen Snyder. Keep their experience and expertise working for us.