At Berks Democratic Party dinner, candidates say democracy is on the ballot

Oct. 15—Congresswoman Madeleine Dean knows that politics can be complicated, that for many people it can seem overwhelming.

That's why this election season she's urging voters to simplify things.

"Pick one issue in this election that matters most to you and hold us to account," she told the crowd gathered inside the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in downtown Reading Friday night for the Berks County Democratic Committee's fall dinner.

Maybe it's a woman's right to choose, Dean said, maybe it's the protection of democracy.

Maybe it's ending gun violence or the need for good-paying jobs with good benefits or equal rights and voting rights.

There's addiction or mental health, there's protecting the planet for generations to come. Perhaps it's simply a desire to see decency return to public service.

For every single one of those issues, Dean said, the choice is clear. Democrats running for office are ready to step up and take action.

"Do not be discouraged, because both the urgency of this moment and the quality of the candidates on our side of the aisle meet this moment," she said. "I know we can do this."

Dean, who was first elected to represent the 4th Congressional District in 2018 and is running for reelection this year, was the keynote speaker at the dinner. The event drew more than 200 guests, many of whom were not particularly familiar with the congresswoman.

She only represented a small part of eastern Berks centered around Boyertown before redistricting expanded her reach in the county. If she should win a third term next month, she would represent all of the eastern and northeastern parts of Berks as well as the center of the county.

"I would now have a huge portion of Berks County," she said. "I am humbled to have that chance, I hope with your help, I will be able to represent the bulk of the county."

Dean is facing Republican Christian Nascimento in the general election. But, she stressed, this election is not about her.

"We are gathered here with a collective purpose of making sure this November we elect more Democrats from the top of the ticket on down, and Berks County is going to be central to that," she said. "Everything is on the line, and we all know it."

Dean said that while there are many issues that may interest voters, there are two main issues she wanted to focus on: choice and democracy.

She said the ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade was a corrupt decision by a corrupt Supreme Court that consists of predominantly white Republicans.

"We must do all we can to fight this regression — this attempt at control," she said. "Let's make no mistake about it, this is not about pro-life or pro-choice, this about control over women and girls. That's it."

She said the issue is something she feels so passionately about that she was willing to, as the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis would say, "get into some good trouble" over it.

Dean was among at least 35 people, including 16 other members of Congress, arrested in front of the Supreme Court in July as they rallied in support of abortion rights.

"I don't encourage others to get arrested, I don't recommend it," she said. "But put every ounce of your efforts into fighting these things. Lend your support, your time, your voice, your money if you can to candidates who have those same values."

Dean said this election is about the survival of our democracy.

"This is not an exaggeration," she said. "I was there in the House Chamber gallery on Jan. 6 when I saw the nation's democracy on the line. I heard the pounding on the beautiful ceremonial doors, the cracking of the glass and the gunshots."

Dean said that day democracy won out. But, she said, it was a reminder for her that democracy is fragile.

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan also spoke at Friday's dinner.

Houlahan currently represents Reading and the southern portion of Berks as well as all of Chester County in the 6th Congressional District. She is running for reelection against Republican Guy Ciarrocchi.

The congresswoman said the choice between her and her competitor — as well as other races — comes down to a simple question.

"Are we better off now than we were just a few years ago?" she said. "What I would argue is that we are. Now, there is certainly a lot of work to be done and we still have a lot to do to combat inflation, stabilize our global security and stabilize the health of our planet, but we really have come quite a long way."

Houlahan highlighted several pieces of legislation that she said are representative of what can happen when Democrats control the levers of the federal government.

She touted the sweeping $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. The measure provided direct payments to millions of people, pumped funding into small businesses, extended federal unemployment benefits and helped cover the cost of vaccine distribution. It also included $350 billion in aid to state and local governments and $130 billion to assist schools with reopening.

She spoke about the comprehensive $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that was passed last fall. She said the legislation has opened the floodgates of federal funding for all sorts of projects in communities across the country.

She applauded the passage of the federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — the first time in three decades that significant gun legislation has been enacted. It included several changes to the mental health system, school safety programs and gun safety laws.

Houlahan said there are many more challenges that await Congress in the next term. But, she said, whether those issues are addressed will depend largely on the outcome of the election.

"If Republicans are successful in flipping the House then we cannot continue to accomplish these gains," she said. "In fact, they will be rolled back no matter if Mr. Fetterman is elected, no matter if Mr. (Josh) Shapiro is elected. If the House does not remain, those accomplishments will be rolled back."

The committee handed out honors at the event:

—The Darlington Hoopes Jr. Rising Star was awarded to Sarah Brugnoli of Amity Township.

—The Michael A. O'Pake Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Michael Reese of Reading.

—The Innovative Spirit Award was given to Beth Skrocki of Muhlenberg Township.