Mannion endorsed to challenge Smucker; Lanco Dems affirm official slate

In what Lancaster County Democrats called a “show of unity,” party committee members cast near-unanimous votes to endorse a slate of candidates for state and national offices at their meeting at the Farm and Home Center Wednesday night. Democrats are looking to flip a number of red seats in the county.

“We’re coming out of a year where we had unbelieveable success with our candidates and that’s attributable to you,” Lancaster County Democratic Committee Chairman Tom O’Brien told the crowd to applause.

O’Brien pointed to several wins last year in council, school board, and mayoral races along with the stunning victory in the 36th State Senate race. Democrat James Malone edged Republican Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons, ending GOP control of the seat that had lasted for more than 130 years.

Malone received the party’s endorsement to defend his seat against State Representative Tom Jones, who received the Republican endorsement to run. Mary Jo Huyard just announced she will not challenge Jones in the primary.

Republicans vowed at their committee meeting last week they will not be caught with their guard down again and plan to take back the Senate seat.

Malone said he’s been working with colleagues in the Pennsylvania House and Senate to move forward in lowering prescription drug and other costs.

“Reelecting me would be awesome and supporting everyone will reinforce there are valid ways to show that in Pennsylvania, you can serve all of us,” Malone said in accepting the endorsement.

Nancy Mannion, a nurse and health care worker from Manheim Township, will challenge Republican incumbent Congressman Lloyd Smucker in his 11th District.

In her speech, Mannion attacked Smucker for his support of President Donald Trump.

“Unlike my opponent, Lloyd Smucker, I will not be silent or complicit when the rule of law is violated and the U.S. Constitution is treated as an inconvenience,” she said. 

Smucker serves on the powerful Ways and Means Committee in the House, advocating for lower taxes and less spending. He’s a five-term incumbent who won his last race by  25 points in the rural 11th District which covers southern Lancaster and York counties. It’s been a Republican stronghold.

Mannion, possibly foreshadowing her election strategy, repeatedly tied Smucker to Trump. She pointed to the president’s struggling poll numbers. 

“Donald Trump is underwater across Pennsylvania, and Lloyd Smucker is deeply aligned to with him and his losing policies,” she said.

Mannion concluded her speech by saying, “My race is your race. I’m fighting with you and for you, and for America.”

Democrats also endorsed candidates for State House seats based in the county. Republicans hold seven of the nine of them.

Incumbent Democrats Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera received uanimous endorsements in the 49th and 96th District races.  

“We are not ceding an inch,” said Smith-Wade-El. “We are not going back.” 

Democrat Brad Chambers will take on Republican incumbent Brett Miller in the 41st District which includes Columbia, East and West Hempfield Townships, located west of Lancaster City.

Chambers told the audience, “I am running for the most vulnerable seat for Republicans in Lancaster County. I want to advocate for health care, affordable housing, and fair funding for schools.”

Democrat Chad Gleissl will challenge Republican incumbent Mindy Fee in the 37th District. Democrat Bryan Peirson will take on Republican Keith Greiner in the 43rd House District.

In other endorsements, Democrat Jess Branas will run against Republican Steven Mentzer for the 97th House seat, Ethan Gabrick is set to challenge Dave Zimmerman in the 96th, and Hugh Darlington earned the party’s support for the 98th District. He will face Clerk of Courts Nicky Woods who is running on the Republican side. That’s the seat being vacated by Jones, now seeking the 36th Senate seat.

Darlington said, “I started as a Republican, but the party left me.”

Democrats did not field a candidate for the 100th District seat. Republican and former State House Speaker Bryan Cutler is stepping down. Republicans Kelly Osborne and Dave Nissley are facing off in the primary for that district. Democrats also did not endorse for the 48th Senate District, a position currently held by Republican Chris Gebhard.

As the midterms approach, O’Brien told Democrats it’s time to turn around the party’s fortunes in Lancaster County where Republicans have dominated elections for years.

“We are moving to a blue county,” he said. “We’re on an express track. We’re not going to stop now.”

Barbara Barr is a former reporter for WGAL in Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna Valley where she led political coverage that earned a Walter Cronkite Award.