State, county Democratic candidates convene at sixth Kennedy Dinner

Jun. 11—BARNESVILLE — Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Dan McCaffery had a special message for those in attendance Sunday at the sixth Kennedy Dinner: understanding the importance, and the implications, of this year's judicial elections.

McCaffery, the event's keynote speaker and a candidate for the state Supreme Court, said it is important to have a Democratic majority in the state courts, some of which could be determined by this year's elections.

"We've been campaigning across 67 counties because we understand the importance of these courts," said McCaffery, of Philadelphia. "They are critically important, and majorities matter on these courts."

Nearly 100 people attended the event at Mountain Valley Golf Course, which was hosted by the Schuylkill County Democratic Committee.

While McCaffery acknowledged the importance of the 2024 elections, including the races for U.S. senator and president, he said people should also be invested in the upcoming judicial races. Judges, he said, often have the most direct impact among elected officials on a citizen's rights.

"No United States senator, no United States president, no congressman, no county commissioner ... can take away your rights with the stroke of a pen. But a judge can," he said.

McCaffery, who was elected to Superior Court in 2019, is running against Republican Carolyn Carluccio this year for an open seat on the state Supreme Court.

McCaffery shared the story of his parents' background as Northern Irish immigrants.

He said his parents, who were Irish Catholic, were treated unfairly and were a "disadvantaged minority" in their native Belfast. In the 1950s, the couple moved their family to Philadelphia, where McCaffery's father worked as a printer's apprentice and his mother as a school janitor.

The family's early years in Northern Ireland, McCaffery said, were the main reason they became Democrats upon moving to America. The labor movement became their "adopted family," he said.

"My father realized that, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, there was no place for their family," McCaffery said. "To give them the opportunities he wanted for his children ... the opportunity to be equals with their fellow citizens."

The judge was joined Sunday by Timika Lane and Jill Beck, Democratic candidates for Pennsylvania Superior Court.

Beck, an attorney from Allegheny County, said it will be important to vote for Democratic candidates for the appellate court seats in the upcoming election. She and Lane endorsed Matt Wolf for Commonwealth Court, who was not present at the dinner.

"I'm not overselling it when I tell you that, given everything going on with the federal courts these days, in the next 10 to 15 years, our Pennsylvania courts are going to be deciding whether Pennsylvania is a bastion for fairness or a bastion for hate," Beck said. "I choose fairness."

She said the Superior Court, which is currently split, would hold a 9-6 Democratic majority if she and Lane are elected.

Lane, a judge for the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, expressed concern about U.S. Supreme Court decisions — including last year's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization — that would overturn issues once thought to be "settled."

"We know that everyone deserves a fair trial, everyone deserves to have their voice heard and everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect," Lane said. "That's what we stand for."

Also present at the dinner was Keir Bradford-Grey, who is running for state attorney general in 2024. She said it is important for lawyers to bring "basic qualities of rights" before judges.

"For attorney general, that role is so important," she said, noting the office deals with the "five pillars" of quality of life: economics, education, health, safety and housing.

County Democrats honored

The Schuylkill County Democratic Committee honored Chester C. "Pete" Corse Jr., of Pottsville, who served as parliamentarian for the committee since 1973.

Current parliamentarian Tim Pellish, an attorney from Pottsville, introduced the honoree. He described Corse as a "lawyer's lawyer" and a "truly loyal Democrat" who has always been deeply involved in his community.

Corse was presented with a commendation that thanked him for his 50 years of service and "unwavering support and guidance" to local Democratic Party politics.

Corse, who is originally from Pittsburgh, is an Army veteran and worked for the Pottsville law firm Williamson, Friedberg & Jones for more than 50 years.

In accepting the honor, Corse expressed pride in having served the Democratic Party since he first registered to vote in 1961.

He said that, when confronted with a problem, it is important to confront and not ignore it — a principle that has guided him in his commitment to the "ideals of progress, equality and justice."

"We must acknowledge and address the challenges that confront us today and that lie ahead," Corse said. "Our nation continues to grapple with inequality, discrimination, political division. It's our responsibility as Democrats to confront these issues head-on with courage, dedication and compassion. Together, we must protect the vulnerable and uphold the principles of this great country. Let us seek the common ground and work towards the future where no one is left behind."

Also at the dinner, the committee memorialized the recent losses of four county Democrats: Regina Sharpe, of Tamaqua; Helen McGeever, of Pottsville; and Kathleen "Kitty" and Leo Breznik, of Shenandoah.

Many of the their family members turned out to accept the honor on their behalf.

Also in attendance were candidates for county offices, including commissioner candidates incumbent Gary J. Hess and Rita Anczarski Baldino; Joe Post, treasurer; Tom McCabe, register of wills; and District Attorney Michael A. O'Pake for judge.

Schuylkill Haven Mayor Mike Devlin provided the invocation.

Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085