The Blue Wave is being led by women

Yes, the party that holds the White House historically loses seats in the mid term elections. We all know that a record number of women are running for office and winning primaries for Governor, Congress and State offices in record numbers. But the thing I'm seeing is the intensity of their supporters beginning with the Women's March in January of 2017 that has not abated.

All the evidence points to a big year for the Dems with bigger than normal  turnouts in primary and special elections but very few Democrats have actually won special elections for Congress unless the GOP candidate is just ridiculous like Roy Moore or Rick Saccone. On the state level they have done much better. 

I'm always cautious about expectations because the Republicans have some advantages. First is almost unlimited money. Millionaires and Billionaires can write checks to dark money groups because of Citizens United that go to so called social welfare groups. They then can spend that money painting Democrats as the equivilant of  devil worshipers who want to take you guns, murder babies and give people health insurance.

The second is gerrymandering.  Things have improved in PA but many states have carved up the districts to give the GOP a big advantage. Just look at Ohio 12. In a fairly drawn district the Democrat would have won easily.

So that leads us to our little corner of the world. The Democrats are playing defense with Governor Wolf, Senator Bob Casey, Congressman Matt Cartwright and State Rep Eddie Day Pashinski on the ballot. Their opponents have gone all in with Trump. Although we don't have  women  running for office the Democratic women are leading the charge to keep these men in office.


After many years of being dormant the Luzerne County Democratic Party is coming roaring back. We are being led by Polly Delaney and Wendy Cominsky. This dynamic duo have organized many events past and future and are looking for ideas from the rest of us to just get people to vote.

Senator Bob Casey in town

Senator Bob Casey gave one on the most passionate speeches on health care  that I have ever heard. He threw out out a lot of statistics about how the ACA has covered thousands of people in Luzerne County. Then he gave examples of people who have benefited from the law.

The longer he talked about health care the more angry he got about the sabotage of the ACA

Some much about the Sleeping thing that the Republicans are pushing

While you were not looking

I know it's hard to keep up with all the news out of the 3 ring circus going on in Washington. It's like trying to take a drink out of a fire hose, you may get your lips wet but if you try to swallow it all your head will get blown off.

Now the EPA want's to relax the rules and bring back Asbestos. This is after 40 years and billions of dollars trying to get rid of the stuff that is scientifically proven to cause cancer just by breathing it. 

EPA is now allowing asbestos back into manufacturing

 I really can't blame the part-time occupant of the White House for this because he has no idea what is going on in his own administration. 

 

The Russian company  Uralasbest, one of the world’s largest producers and sellers of asbestos, has taken to adorning pallets of its product with a seal of Trump’s face.

Ned Evans shows how not to respond to a controversy

Wilkes-Barre Area School Board member Ned Evans posted something stupid and tasteless a few days ago on Facebook that has created a firestorm.

CV:

Outrage began growing after the Wilkes-Barre Area Save Our Schools page posted a screen shot Monday of board member Ned Evans’ comment about an article on a 27-year-old Arizona teacher who was charged in March with having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old student.

The article that was shared features a crude headline referring to the teacher performing oral sex on the boy.

“Probably broke her teeth on it. Lol,” Evans wrote.

He initially apologized on his Facebook page "I wasn’t trying to convey anything. It was a stupid, idiotic, insincere comment that I made, and I apologize for it. I have no excuses. I apologize for it."
If he left it at that he might have been able to get through this after the outrage calmed downed. But then he added “It just was a stupid back-room-with-the-boys comment and I should never have made it. That only inflamed the situation, he's not Trump. His Facebook page has since been scrubbed or may have been deleted. The first rule of being in a hole is to stop digging.

I called him out on it and he responded by calling me a loser for being defeated in the election last year. Then the Superintendent and the rest of the board called for his resignation. He attacked some members of the W-B SOS group for his troubles. City council member Beth Gilbert pointed out  the continuous misogynistic comments by this man and he responded by attacking her.

Now he is threatening to sue people for his troubles.

CV:

Despite personal pleas from colleagues for him to resign, Wilkes-Barre Area School Board member Ned Evans on Thursday insisted he’s staying in office.

“Oh yes, absolutely,” he said Thursday.

In fact, Evans said he’ll soon be going on the offensive.

Amid the controversy over a crude comment he made online about a student sex case, he claims he has been defamed by certain people and plans to file a lawsuit.

“I cleary plan to sue,” Evans said, noting he has retained a lawyer.

He declined to name the possible targets of his litigation

This is so sad to see someone I know and like go so far off the rails.

 

Jerry Kairnes for Congress

 

 

 

My name is Jerry Kairnes; I'm 48 years old and I live in Cogan Station. I'm a father, and I earn a living as a building materials salesman. I'm running for Congress because I want our kids and grandkids to have the same shot at the American Dream that you and I had.

It's Time For All Americans To Put Country Over Party

I'm launching, for a second time, an Independent campaign in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional district, challenging both four-term incumbent Tom Marino and the district's two announced major party primary challengers.

I am motivated to run because of the complete absence of leadership demonstrated during the government shutdown by all three of the candidates running for Congress in our district. Not one asserted that we should not negotiate policy under the threat of government shutdown, or use policy as a concession to reopen the government. We must never allow functioning government to become just another bargaining chip at the negotiation table. Now is the time for all Americans to put country over party!

A Call To Action

Our common sense campaign is a call to action to those in the district who seek to fix our nation’s broken politics and restore the American dream for future generations. I seek to unite our neighbors around the principles of fiscal and environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, and equality under the law. We need leadership who will put country over party, follow the facts, and pledge to work together to solve problems.

It’s as if our house is on fire and two fire companies have shown up, but instead of putting out the blaze, they are content to argue with each other until our house is in ashes. We only get one Republic; if we burn it down, there is no empty Republic across the street to move into.

It's not a political choice to grab the hoses and start to put out the fire, it is a necessity.

The government shutdown turned me into a firefighter. Join me; our Republic needs you!

Our District Needs Centrist Leadership

I announced our first bid for Congress in 2016 when no candidate filed papers to challenge Tom Marino, but withdrew when a Democrat achieved ballot access via a write-in campaign, effectively removing the path to victory for our independent challenge. That Democratic candidate got 89,923 votes to Tom Marino's 211,282. A Centrist Independent most certainly has no worse a chance of winning than any Democrat.

A Problem Solver Platform

Our problem-solver platform is unchanged from 2016: if elected, I won’t be going it alone. I’ll work tirelessly towards the goals of a balanced federal budget, to secure the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds, for American energy independence, and job creation. Send me to Washington! I’m ready to join dozens of other members of Congress who’ve pledged to put labels aside to advance solutions to our nation's biggest challenges.”

Here are the specifics:

• A balanced federal budget by the year 2030
• Secure Social Security and Medicare for another 75 years.
• 25 Million new jobs over the next ten years.
• American energy independence by the year 2024

You’ll Never Question Whether My Vote Is For Sale

Our campaign will only accept campaign contributions from individuals - real people - and never from Political Action Committees, special interests, lobbyists or unions. Additionally, Big Dollars from far away place should not fund campaigns in our district that is why I will cap campaign contributions at $250 from anyone who does not have a vote in the 10th District election.

Transparent Representation with No Strings Attached

I pledge to be an automatic “No” vote on any bill that has not been made available for three days of public review. Other folks have made that promise and broken it; I mean it! To prove it, we can start calling it the “Kairnes Rule” beginning today!

If elected, I will only accept a salary equivalent to the median wage of families in the 10th District - $52,199 - and return the balance of the Representative's salary of $174,000 back to the U.S. Treasury. If elected, I’ll make what you make, and I won’t get a raise unless you do.

A People's Campaign For The People's Seat

To earn access to the ballot our campaign must turn in 4,226 valid signatures from Pennsylvania 10th district voters by August 1st in order to get on the November ballot as an Independent candidate.

We can't earn a place on the ballot without your help and we won't win without you. We're just getting started! Send us as email at  team@jerrykairnes.com to learn what you can do!

A Campaign of Necessity

I believe we all share a responsibility to participate in our own governance in whatever way we are best able. I'm a building materials salesman; I was not expecting to launch another campaign for the people's seat but necessity demands it. I'm simply unwilling to expect of others what I am not willing to do myself.

The objective is simple: make sure our kids and grandkids still have a shot at the American dream. We can’t just sit back and do nothing while the politicians tell us that our problems are just too big, that we are too divided a nation to work together to find solutions, and that future generations of Americans will just have to figure it out for themselves

Judy Herschel for Congress

Judy Herschell had a rally  tonight that attracted an overflow crowd and did not mince her words.

 She said that healthcare is a basic human right and blasted the profit driven health care system and endorsed Medicare for All.She said she would not sell out to Pharmaceutical companies. Unions are essential and teaching is a noble profession.

She also addressed the mechanics  of the race. She needs a bunch of money and many volunteers. It will be hard to beat Tom Marino.

Municipal Races 2017- Part Deux

Walter Mitchell

The Voice of God was reaffirmed as the President for Life of The People's Republic of Bear Creek Village winning 98.82% of the vote. He was so sure that his apparatchiks would deliver an unanimous vote that he was on a cruise on election day visiting his offshore accounts. The lone dissenter will be sent to a reeducation camp in Nescopeck Pass.

Walter Mitchell (R)  84
Write-In                      1


Hazelton City Council

The incumbents were not reelected. Jack Mundie and Professor Obvious finished last in a six person race for 3 seats. My guy just missed. John Keegan and I are joined together as fellow bloggers who will argue about about everything then go for a drink. He is really good at research and would be an asset to any organization. Allison Barletta won a seat, where I have heard that name?

 

David Sosar (DEM)		880
Tony Colombo (DEM)		1,243
Jack Mundie (DEM)		831
Allison Barletta (REP)		1,439
Jim Perry (REP)		1,139
John Keegan (REP)		1,031
WRITE-IN		46

Plains Township

Plains is a good place to live. We have first class fire and ambulance service and the road Department always responds to me in a day or 2. Trash bags are 50 cents. No wonder that all the incumbents won. 4 Year Commissioner Robert Sax (DEM) 1,088 Jerry Yozwiak (DEM) 992 Barry C. Kresge Jr. (REP) 524 Mike Mikie Mike Timek (REP) 507

Election results 2017- Municipal races

Some selected results from some down ballot races that I had an interest in because friends of mine were in the running. Spoiler alert, most of them lost. Sometimes I feel like the black cat of politics.

John Cordora at Blogfest

Longtime Kingston resident John Cordora ran for for Mayor of Luzerne as a Democrat. John has been a Republican candidate for State Rep and Mayor of Kingston. I always found him to one of the more entertaining people on the local political scene. He was always a good sport taking my snark in stride even when I said he resembles Vincent Price.

James Keller (R)  280
                                                          John Cordora (D)  235

Luzerne County Young Republican Prez John Lombardo  made his first run for elective office as a candidate for the Pittston Area School Board. It was just a matter of time before we saw his name on the ballot and it won't be the last. He's been a guest blogger on Gort42.   John is a lot like the young Gort becoming a political junkie at a young age.  He ran a great race and came close.

Joseph Salvo (DEM)		2,714
John Lombardo (REP)		2,384

 Keep an eye on what goes on in Kingston Township in the near future. I predict they are heading for  all sorts of legal challenges involving sunshine law violations and of conflicts of interest. The winning candidate is the son of of one of the present Supervisors who works for the township  road
Department.

Liz Martin has been a hard working public servant who deserved reelection.

Robert Wagner (R)  841
Liz Martin (D)         774

2017 Election Results- Luzerne County Council

Matt Vough and Chris Perry

My candidate came up a bit short but I am very proud of the race Wendy Cominsky ran. She is someone without money or powerful friends who just wanted to make a difference. She offered solutions to the problems the county faces and worked as hard as any candidate I've ever met. I'm grateful for her friendship and trust. She came darn close and somehow I feel I let her down.

The top 3 vote getters was not a surprise. Incumbents Linda Houck(D) and Harry Haas(R) ran their record and the people rewarded them with another term. Sheila Saidman was top of the poll in the primary and it carried over.

The surprises of the night were Matt Vough (D) and Chris Perry (R). They also worked their tails off and I saw them just about everywhere.

The great thing about this election was the lack of acrimony.  For the most part the candidates seemed to genuinely like each other and want to work together regardless of party



I want to congratulate all the candidates for offering themselves for public office. It takes guts to run and put up with the nonsense like the anonymous cowards who comment on the local newspaper websites.

x Sheila Saidman (DEM)		21,406
x Linda McClosky Houck (DEM)		20,369
Wendy Cominsky (DEM)		19,365
x Matthew Vough (DEM)		20,386
John Gadomski (DEM)		18,342
x Harry Haas (REP)		20,319
x Chris R. Perry (REP)		20,125
Marc Dixon (REP)		19,115
Stephen J. Urban (REP)		19,758
Gregory S. Wolovich Jr. (REP)		16,620

2017 Election results-Luzerne County Controller

The top  race in Luzerne County was for the Controller position between incumbent  Michelle Bednar (D) and former Controller Walter Griffith (R). I was surprised that no other Republican ran in the primary considering Walter's baggage about the wiretap thing and his aggressive style.

In an interview with the Citizens Voice he promised to be a kinder, gentler Walter. Yeah right, the Walter I know is at his at his best when he is being a pain in the ass. I mean that in a good way. The message from his campaign was that he would be a watchdog, not a lapdog. So much for the kinder thing.

Michelle ran the campaign on her accomplishments without running to the press every time she found a problem but worked for a solution.  She refused to criticize her opponent when given the chance. From the CV:  Bednar declined to offer an opinion on Griffith, who resigned as controller in 2013 as part of a plea agreement in a wiretapping case.
“I would leave that to the voters,” she said. “That’s their choice.”

The Result:

Bednar       24,458  54%
Griffith       20,609  46% 

Wendy Cominsky for County Council

In my many years of politics I have been able to sort out the people who want to be someone verses the people who want to do something.

Wendy Cominsky is someone who want's to do something. She has all sorts of ideas to improve Luzerne County. I may not agree with all of  them all but let's put them out for discussion.

Her platform is on the website:

Wendy Cominsky for Luzerne County Council

A snippet:

Alternative Energy

We also should be considering alternative energy as well as protecting what is left of our natural resources. Apparently some people did not learn their lesson from the coal companies. Tunkhannock is seeing a dramatic drop in local business since the gas drilling craze is fading. When we run out of gas, like the coal mines, those companies will be gone and many people will be without jobs and many businesses without customers. This can cause economic collapse and we need to prevent it. Everybody was sold on gas because it would bring jobs to the area and lower energy costs. Here’s the exciting news: so will the development of renewable energy sources! By shifting our focus to renewable energy, we will lower costs and still have fossil fuel energy to rely on in times of crisis. Environmentally speaking, I believe that clean water will become more valuable than gold in the not so distant future. We absolutely need to protect our natural springs as if they were our children, because frankly, our children will pay the price if we don’t.

Meuser at the Grotto

Tens of people came out to hear former PA Revenue Secretary and unsuccessful 2008 PA 10th CD Republican candidate give his pitch for electing him to the 11th CD seat being vacated by Lou Barletta.

Luzerne County GOP Chair Ron Ferrance did the intro saying we need someone in Congress that will support the President. Other notables in attendance were State Rep. Karen Boback, Bear Creek Village Mayor Walter Mitchell, the next DJ in the back mountain Brian Tupper, Old Forge School Director Frank Scavo and Luzerne County candidate Marc Dixon.

Meuser tied himself firmly to Trump and Barletta.

Meuser said he was a conservative problem solver who wants to get behind the President's Make America Great Again (MAGA)  agenda. Tax reform, repeal Obamacare, strong military, border security, term limits and drain the swamp (DTS) , etc. He said he was urged by Barletta to run for Congress if Lou ran for Senate. The way he explained it was almost like a Quid pro quo. 

I was surprised by how much he discussed the nuts and bolts of the campaign. Everything from yard signs to money. Meuser said he was outworking the other candidates and claimed the support of 8 GOP county chairs. He said he will need $750,000 to win the primary.

He took some shots at Democrats saying the Republicans are the party of the red, white and blue who's favorite holiday is the 4th of July while the Dems celebrate April 15th. Senator Casey has gone extreme left and brought up Nancy Pelosi. 

At the end someone asked him about combating the lies that politicians tell. Meuser said he would give them a pass the first time but would lose his support if they did it again. Then he went on about draining the swamp and MAGA.

Maybe he should read this fake news article:

Trump's Lies



 Updated July 21: The president is still lying, so we've added to this list, and provided links to the facts in each case.

                                                  

Denny Wolff for Congress

Another Democrat has joined the race to succeed Lou Barletta (R) in the PA 11th CD. He joins USAF vet Alan Howe on the Democratic side.

Wolff was PA Agriculture Secretary under Governor Ed Rendell. He was appointed by  President Clinton and held over by Dubya on the WTO Agriculture Technical Committee.

From his website :In addition to his farm work and public service, Denny is the proud founder of Camp Victory, a camp for children with special needs that’s adjacent to his farm. The camp today hosts over 1,500 children and their families from across the country each summer. Denny was inspired to start Camp Victory after his youngest son, Nicholas, was born with a life-threatening liver disease and spent most of the first two years of his life in hospitals until he received a lifesaving liver transplant when he was eighteen months old.

Website: Denny Wolff for Congress
 
Facebook page: Denny Wolff for Congress

The crowded field that is the race for the 11th congressional district

 
Six people so far have announced they are candidates for the 11th Congressional District seat, now held by Lou Barletta. They are,  Dan Meuser, Stephen Bloom, Robert Alan Howe, and Denny Wolff, Andrew Shecktor and Andrew Lewis.

Marino the Drug Czar

Lou Barletta and Tom Marino

This report in the WaPo is shocking but not surprising. PA 10th CD Congressman Tom Marino (R) took $150,000+ from pharmaceutical companies then wrote a law to get the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) off their backs.

For years, some drug distributors were fined for repeatedly ignoring warnings from the DEA to shut down suspicious sales of hundreds of millions of pills, while they racked up billions of dollars in sales.
The new law makes it virtually impossible for the DEA to freeze suspicious narcotic shipments from the companies

 This tells you every thing you need to know about Marino. He called the cops when reporters wanted to interview him. Marino declined repeated requests for comment. Marino’s staff called the U.S. Capitol Police when The Post and “60 Minutes” tried to interview the congressman at his office on Sept. 12. 

This is nothing new. He has helped drug dealers in the past.

 
 By Michael R. Sisak / Staff Writer

A prominent central Pennsylvania car dealer once described as a “friend” by former U.S. Attorney Tom Marino has racked up an extensive rap sheet since leaning on Marino to have a cocaine dealing conviction cleared from his record more than a decade ago, court documents obtained by The Citizens’ Voice show.

Jay W. Kilheeney, an admitted drug addict and alcoholic, has been busted three times since Marino clumsily and unsuccessfully interceded in the drug case, in June 1998, and has been accused in protection from abuse petitions of leading a violent, vagabond home life.


His lies about his relationship with Louis DeNaples and permission letter from the DOJ.

Marino changes story

 Tom Marino, Republican candidate for Congress, has changed his story six months after he told a Wilkes-Barre talk radio reporter that he had gotten permission from his superiors in the U.S. Department of Justice before lending his name as a reference for a convicted felon who was seeking a casino license...He also denied that he had ever claimed that he received, or could provide, written authorization from the Justice Department allowing him to give a personal reference to former casino operator Louis DeNaples.

 Even the Bush Administration thought he was incompetent 

 

Marino almost got fired before he quit

 Marino's effectiveness questioned

A senior Justice Department official recommended firing Marino in September 2006, saying he "perceived that Marino was not leading his office," according to the report, which has taken on fresh relevance as the Republican challenges Democratic incumbent Chris Carney in the 10th Congressional District.

D. Kyle Sampson, the chief of staff to then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, subsequently placed Marino's name on a list of U.S. Attorneys he said the department, "should consider pushing out," based on "problems" he learned about in summer 2006, according to the report.
You can read the report at this link.

The only thing that saved his tail was the Justice Department didn't want to piss off Senator Arlen Specter. 

And he is such a charmer with the voters

 

 

Blogfest Fall 2017

The Bloggers and the Blogcon Squirrels

Another great Blogfest was held at the River Grille in Plains. In addition to the political types NEPA Blogcon joined us for their after party. There is always a prize for the person who traveled the farthest and this time it goes to PA Lt. Governor candidate Aryanna Berringer who came all the way from Pittsburgh. Aryanna is no stranger to our area, she lived in W-B a few years ago.


Two 11th Congressional District candidates also traveled a bit. Democrat Alan Howe from Carlisle made another appearance in the area and Republican Andrew Shecktor left the wilds of Berwick to
join us.




 Many Luzerne County hopefuls were there. Both Controller candidates, incumbent Michelle Bednar (D) and former Controller Walter Griffith (R), worked the crowd. County Council Democratic nominees Wendy Cominsky, Matt Vough mixed it up with Republicans Marc Dixon and Greg Wolovich. Municipal candidates included Luzerne Mayor candidate John Cordara (D?), incumbent Dallas Twp. Supervisor Liz Martin (D) and Plains Twp. Commissioner nominee Barry Kresge (R).
Plus W-B City Councilman Tony Brooks (R) and State Rep Jerry Mullery.

The NEPA Blogcon group were a lot of fun and added energy to the gathering.

Local TV coverage

Bloggers meet political candidates in person

Liz Martin for Dallas Township Supervisor

Liz Martin (D) is running for reelection as Dallas Township Supervisor and met with her supporters tonight to give her pitch.

Since her election in 2011 she lists many accomplishments the most important being putting the town on a sound fiscal footing without raising taxes in the last 3 years. She said the finances were a mess when first elected with the Supervisors juggling accounts just meet payroll. Today Dallas Twp. has a $3 million budget with a $3 million reserve fund. Martin heaped praise on her fellow Supervisor Bill Grant (R) for his cooperation and foresight. Looking to the future her top priorities are relocating the Municipal Building from a garage to a better facility and improving the parks.

It was a bit of a shock when Martin defeated Glenn Howell by 44 votes in 2011.
I don't think a Democrat had won an election out there since Ike was President. Landslide Liz.

Her opponent is Dallas township road department employee Robert Wagner (R). His father happens to be Dallas Twp. Supervisor Frank Wagner (R). I wonder how he got that job? All sorts of conflict of interests questions come to mind. One person at the meeting tonight said people will be voting for Wagner the younger thinking it's Frankie. I know about that kind of name confusion.

Her Facebook page: 

Liz Martin, Dallas Township Supervisor

1000 Words

 Evan Vucci AP

 

 

 

Trump tossing paper towels at Puerto Rico hurricane victims was vintage populism

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/andres-oppenheimer/article176881196.html#storylink=cpy

Fall 2017 Blogfest

Saturday, October 14 at 5 PM - 7 PM

River Grill670 N River St Suite 100, Plains, Pennsylvania

Since it's inception Blogfest has been described as the best non-political political event of the season. No speeches are allowed and the rule is to agree to disagree but don't be disagreeable. Many local and statewide candidates will be attending. All are welcome, and there is no charge for admission.

Since it's revival in the Spring after a short hiatus people have been asking us to do it again. Started as an informal political mixer it became a networking event for bloggers, voters and political candidates.

This a joint venture of NEPA Blogs, The Lu Lac Political Letter and Gort42.

We are thrilled to announce that NEPA Blogcon will join us by having their after party with us!


Facebook event pagehttps://www.facebook.com/events/689685034556574/

Michelle Bednar for Controller 2017

Incumbent Democratic Luzerne County Controller had a nice gathering of supporters at Bentley's on Friday. It attracted a nice crowd including a few Republicans including District Attorney Stephanie Salavantis. The Democratic Party heavyweights State Reps. Eddie Day Pashinski , Jerry Mullery and State Sen. John Yudichak sang her praises. Her campaign team touted her accomplishments including weeding out incorrect homestead tax breaks wrongly granted to some Luzerne County property owner. Her opponent Walter Griffith  had received the break on two homes and an auto repair business he owns.

Democratic County Council candidates Wendy Cominsky, Matt Vough and John Gadomski  offered their support and Republican Chris Perry showed up. Perry has been to almost every event D or R I've been to. He is running hard.

Other notables were Judge David Lupas who is up for retention and George Brown who should have been the Mayor of W-B. I asked Judge Lupas about mandatory minimums and he gave me a  lawyers answer saying they could act as a deterrent but Judges should be able to fit the punishment to the crime.

                                          


Luzerne County sending bills to recipients of incorrect homestead tax break

Steve Bloom for Congress

There is now a 3rd Republican candidate to replace Lou Barletta in the PA 11th CD with a few more to come. State Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland)joins Dan Meuser and Andrew Shecktor looking to join the swamp in Washington. Alan Howe is the only Dem in the race so far. 

                                                        

He didn't send out a traditional press release or announce his candidacy at a rally but put up a  YouTube video. 

You can view it at his website: https://actnowcongress.org/

Bill O in the TL sums up his platform 

Obamacare bad, secure the border, give the Pentagon more money, bad trade deals
and end taxpayer subsidies for the heartbreaking abortion industry.


Also from his website: 
 
As a husband, parent, and grandparent, I can’t imagine losing this once-in-a-generation opportunity to do good. That’s why I’m running for Congress. It’s time for action.