Democratic State Committee

GRANTVILLE, Pa.- Gov. Rendell and Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll were endorsed without challenges for second four-year terms.

It was a given that Rapid Edward would get the endorsement since he has no opposition. CBK has the backing of the GUV and the other candidates didn't even contest it. I received 2 interesting press releases from the Valerie McDonald Roberts campaign.

Harrisburg, PA March 25, 2006:

Today at the meeting of the Democratic State Committee candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Valerie McDonald Roberts withdrew her request for endorsement.

McDonald Roberts announced her decision in an impassioned speech before Democratic State Committee Members. She stated:

"This is about choice. Everyone has a god given right to choose and you all as popularly elected party officials have the responsibility as well as the right to choose who would be the best person on the ticket. But to my supporters, I see the agony in your eyes; I see that you know what needs to be done but that doing so will cause you difficulty. I don't want anyone to have to go through any more difficulties here on my behalf. So I am going to withdraw name from consideration from endorsement.

Yesterday she received the endorsement of the PA chapter of NOW (National Organization for Women)

Harrisburg, PA March 25—The Pennsylvanian National Organization for Women endorsed Valerie McDonald Roberts last night during the candidate's reception at the Democratic State Committee meeting in Harrisburg.

A statement from PA NOW PAC stated, "Valerie McDonald Roberts is the epitome of what we would want an elected representative to be. Her service demonstrates the feasibility of our requirements for candidates we support"......According to the Women's Institute for Policy research Pennsylvania ranks near the bottom for percentage of women in elected office as well as for political participation overall. Pennsylvania also ranks poorly for women’s reproductive health and in several other key indicators. McDonald Roberts is committed to seeing the standing of women in Pennsylvania improve and to working towards a more inclusive and responsive state government.

The other candidates are Gene Stilp, a citizen activist with a really neat big pig and William A. Hall III, a political newcomer from Northampton County.