Smith 156: News Article

Wednesday, March 1, 2006

Democrats tab candidates to run in upcoming election

Daily Local News
ADAM CIRUCCI, Staff Writer

WESTTOWN — Chester County Democrats gathered Tuesday night to endorse candidates for the upcoming primary.

County Democrats endorsed Barbara McIlvaine Smith to run for state representative in the 156th District.

McIlvaine Smith, 55, of West Chester, said she was glad to receive the party’s support.

"I’m confident about the race this time. I’ve been through it before. And now I think we have a real chance of winning this seat," she said.

McIlvaine Smith, a former borough councilwoman, runs Brandywine Water Systems, a privately-owned business that sells, installs and services water treatment systems, with her husband, Bob.

In 2004, she took 45.3 percent in an unsuccessful challenge to unseat state Rep. Elinor Z. Taylor, R-156th, of West Goshen.

Taylor, 84, of West Goshen, recently announced that she would not seek re-election.

Last summer, McIlvaine Smith announced she was quitting politics altogether, but she jumped into the race in January at the urging of her supporters.

She will likely face the Republican-endorsed candidate, Shannon Royer, in the fall.

Royer, 38, of West Chester, served as Taylor’s campaign manager in 2004, when she defeated McIlvaine Smith.

Royer, McIlvaine Smith’s predecessor on council representing the borough’s Fifth Ward, now works for the House leadership in Harrisburg.

In the 167th District, county Democrats endorsed Anne Crowley to seek the seat currently held by state Rep. Robert J. Flick, R-167th, of East Whiteland.

Flick, 61, a Republican, served the district for 24 years. He recently announced that he would not seek re-election.

Crowley, 54, of Easttown,beat out William Holmes, 44, of East Whiteland, for the endorsement.

Crowley said educational issues would be one of her top concerns in Harrisburg. She is also interested in property-tax reform and protecting the environment.

Crowley will likely face Republican Duane Milne, a West Chester University political science professor, in the general election. County Republicans endorsed Milne in January.

In the Sixth Congressional District, county Democrats endorsed Lois Murphy to try again to unseat incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, R-6th, of West Pikeland.

Gerlach, 50, won the district with 51 percent of the vote in both the 2004 and 2002 elections. He beat Murphy in 2004 and Dan Wofford before that.

Murphy, 42, of Lower Merion, said she sees a strong Democratic ticket aiding her campaign, including Gov. Ed Rendell in his re-election bid and Robert P. Casey Jr. seeking a seat in the U.S. Senate.

In the 16th Congressional District, county Democrats endorsed Louis Herr to again try to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. Joseph Pitts, R-16th, of East Marlborough.

Herr, 63, of Mt. Joy, Lancaster County, has said Pitts has not been there for the people of his district.

"People have to understand that they have had Pitts for a long time and he has not represented their interests," she said in a recent interview.

In addition to endorsing Rendell for reelection, county Democrats endorsed former Montgomery County congressman Joseph Hoeffel for lieutenant governor.

"It is a great boost to receive the overwhelming support of the Chester County Dems," Hoeffel, 55, of Abington, said.

Hoeffel, who made an unsuccessful bid two years ago to unseat GOP incumbent U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., currently is practicing law in Philadelphia.

County Democrats also endorsed Casey to challenge U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa.

"I thought that there might be an open primary in this county, so I’m really happy with the outcome," Bob Roggio, the Casey campaign’s suburban Philadelphia coordinator, said.

To contact staff writer Adam Cirucci, send an e-mail to acirucci@dailylocal.com.

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