Paul Drucker

Set against the backdrop of an historic presidential campaign and record voter turnout across the nation and region, the hotly contested race to succeed retiring State Representative Carole Rubley in the 157th House District ended in the early morning hours today, as Paul Drucker prevailed over Guy Ciarrocchi by about a 600 vote margin.

The spirited campaign, which featured two candidates with starkly different backgrounds and experience, was too close to call for much of election night.  Only after ballots from precincts in Schuylkill Township and the Borough of Phoenixville were counted late Tuesday evening were the results final.

Drucker expressed his gratitude to the residents of the District for their vote, and promised to faithfully represent their interests and concerns in Harrisburg.
 
“I want to thank the people of this community for putting their faith in me, and I want every resident of the 157th District to know that I understand and take very seriously the responsibility that has been given to me tonight,” Drucker said.  “I have said throughout this campaign that our community is comprised of thoughtful people who expect and deserve moderate, common-sense leadership by their elected officials, and that is exactly what I pledge to provide as a state representative.”

Drucker said that he would begin the work of a transition in the coming days, and said he is looking forward to meeting with current and retiring members of the legislature.  Drucker reiterated his priorities of legislative reform, economic revitalization and health care as topics that will be front and center in all his discussions.

Paul Drucker is a dedicated public servant who has spent nearly 40 years working on behalf of his community and neighbors in the greater Philadelphia region. Paul Drucker is running as the Democratic candidate for the State House of Representatives because he wants to add his voice to the team of legislators working to bring accountability to the General Assembly, and most importantly, to faithfully represent the people in the 157th district on their most pressing concerns.

Please click here to read Paul’s full bio.

Go here to see all of the people and organizations who have endorsed Paul’s candidacy.

Go here to read the truth about Paul’s time on the Board of The Bank of Philadelphia.

The highest ranking Democrat in Pennsylvania’s Congressional Delegation, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, has endorsed Paul Drucker, candidate for the State House of Representatives 157th District, it was announced today.

Senator Casey joins Pennsylvania’s Governor, Ed Rendell, along with Congressman Joe Sestak, State Senator Andy Dinniman, Mayor Leo Scoda and others in endorsing Drucker for the State House.

“Pennsylvania is facing many challenges ranging from stimulating the economy and creating new jobs, to funding our schools and providing access to affordable healthcare,” said Casey.  “We need serious leaders who will make the right decisions for us in the state legislature. Given his knowledge of the community, as well as his experience, dedication and fairness, Paul Drucker will do an excellent job as your State Representative and I am pleased to endorse him.”

Elected in 2006, Bob Casey is already a well-respected member of the United States Senate.  Casey has used his position on the Banking Committee to provide a swift response to the current economic crisis, and has been an outspoken leader on this issue.   On the important issue of health care, Senator Casey recently led the effort to expand and improve the State Children’s Health Insurance Program that covers over 150,000 children in Pennsylvania, putting the Senate on record for this important issue.  Casey’s father – the late Governor Robert P. Casey – signed into the law the Pennsylvania children’s health insurance bill that was the model for the current law.

In eight years as Pennsylvania Auditor General and two years as State Treasurer, Bob Casey compiled a record that focused on making government more accountable and responsive to the needs of Pennsylvanians. He has been a fiscal watchdog who made nursing homes safer, child care more affordable and government more accountable. He led the fight to reform Megan’s Law to better protect Pennsylvania communities and children.

“I have deep respect for Senator Bob Casey and I am honored to receive his endorsement,” said Drucker.  “Bob Casey is an example of the very best of our Commonwealth.  From his experience serving in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps through his time in Harrisburg and now his service in the Senate, Bob Casey has brought a dedication, determination and passion to public service that I deeply appreciate and consider an inspiration.”

“Particularly on the issues that I have pledged to work on if elected – ethics reform in Harrisburg and providing health care to those who need it – there is no better role model than Bob Casey,” Drucker said.
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Go here to view “United with Governor Rendell”.

Paul has been endorsed by CeaseFirePA, an organization dedicated to the goal of stronger handgun laws in Pennsylvania.

“Pennsylvania is at a critical point on the gun violence issue,” said Joe Grace, CeaseFirePA Executive Director in the endorsement letter.  “Gun crimes are on the rise across the Commonwealth.  We need action and the public is demanding change.  We believe you intend to be a vocal force for change in Harrisburg on these issues.”

Grace pointed to polling that shows 96 percent of Pennsylvanians support legislation requiring a lost or stolen handgun to be reported to authorities, and 81 percent of voters want candidates who support stricter, common-sense handgun safety laws like one-handgun a month purchase limits and a ban on assault weapons.  Yet the current legislature refuses to take action on bills that would provide these reasonable measures.

Paul Drucker supports the lost or stolen legislation as well as one-gun a month restrictions, and will work to see such common-sense legislation passed if he is elected.

“Handgun violence isn’t just a problem for urban centers like Philadelphia,” said Drucker.  “We have gun violence in the form of armed robberies and other crimes right here in Chester County.  While I support the Second Amendment, I believe we can enact reasonable laws that will allow law-abiding individuals to own guns for home security or hunting, while limiting the availability of handguns to those who commit crimes.”

Drucker has also been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police – both FOP Lodge #11 in Chester County and Lodge #14 in Montgomery County.

Senator Harris Wofford
Washington, D.C.  

Dear Friend:

As someone who has fought for Democratic values for more than 50 years, as a member of the Kennedy Administration, the Secretary of Labor and Industry in Governor Bob Casey’s cabinet, a Senator representing Pennsylvania in Congress, and in many other roles, I am writing you today to reinforce what is at stake this election year.
 
Our nation faces great challenges, from the future of Social Security and health care, to questions about energy and foreign policy. 

But I am full of hope this year.  Good candidates have stepped forward – a new generation of leaders who are prepared to carry the torch on the issues we care about.

I write today to recommend to you a candidate for the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Paul Drucker, who is running to succeed Carole Rubley in parts of Chester and Montgomery Counties.

Paul is a thoughtful man who has lived in the region all his adult life and has raised his family here.  He understands the values of our community, and he has the right priorities.  He knows how to work across the aisle and get things done, and he is more concerned about doing what’s right than he is about getting the credit for it.

Most importantly for older Americans, he can be trusted to do what is right on matters such as reducing property taxes and long-term care.  For example, he would go to Harrisburg and support legislation that takes the surplus generated from gaming and apply it to property tax relief for seniors. This is one of his top priorities.

Paul Drucker is an example of the kind of candidate we must get behind this year.  I hope you will join me in supporting him.

Warmly,
 
Harris Wofford

State, local educators endorse Drucker
Thursday, October 23, 2008 6:19 AM EDT
By G.E. Lawrence
The Phoenix Correspondent
PHOENIXVILLE — Democratic candidate for the 157th State House District Paul Drucker yesterday received endorsements from both state and local education groups.The endorsements were announced at a press conference held at Phoenixville Library by Susan Gobreski, President and Executive Director of Education Voters Pennsylvania, and Mary Myers, President of the Phoenixville Area Education Association and a representative of the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

“We believe that Paul Drucker is going to be a huge asset in Harrisburg, and help implement the change that is really needed to start transforming public educa
tion,” Gobreski said.

“For too long, the legislature has failed to tackle important education policy challenges, including funding,” she continued. “We have an over-reliance on property taxes. We focus on testing rather than teaching. When people start talking about how complicated it is, they throw their hands in the air and say its just too hard.

“We’re looking for people who are prepared to take on the challenge, and believe that Paul Drucker is that person,” she said.

Myers seconded Gobreski’s comments. “Paul has the endorsement PSEA and the Phoenixville Area Education Association,” she said, “We know that after he’s elected, we expect to have a lot of help with the issues that public education faces today, most of them being everything relying on property taxes.”

In Phoenixville, Myers said, “property taxes have continued to go up. The Board is going to look hard at it. But as a state we have to come up with alternative ways. And Phoenixville until recently has not done too much to help itself. That’s changing, but we still do not have a [business] tax base.”

In thanks for their support, Drucker said that both groups “understand my commitment to public education, how important the vitality of the school system is for the future of Phoenixville, the district, and the future of the Commonwealth, the future of all of us.”

Drucker said that Phoenixville fit a common model: that there is here “too much of a school system for the property tax to handle.”

About alternative financing sources, Drucker spoke first about gaming revenues to offset the pressure of property tax rates on the elderly, but stressed proposals discussed by both State Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-19) and retiring 157th District representative Carole Rubley for “a mix” of sales taxes, income taxes and other sources.

“‘One size fits all’ doesn’t work” in all areas of the state, he said.

Education Voters PA is an independent nonprofit organization established “to ensure our political leaders adopt and implement a pro public education agenda, and hold political leaders accountable if they fail to do so,” Gobreski said.
PSEA represents some 186,000 public school teachers, support professionals, education students and retirees throughout the state.

Paul has been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #14, in Montgomery County. The announcement follows a similar endorsement from FOP Lodge #11 in Chester County.
 
Lodge #14 represents more than 1300 members in Montgomery County – including those that serve Lower Providence and West Norriton Townships.
 
In a letter announcing the endorsement, Al Fazio, the Chair of Lodge #14’s Political Action Committee, wished Paul success, saying “Your genuine concerns regarding positions that are important to law enforcement and law enforcement officers are greatly appreciated.”
 
Drucker said he was proud of the endorsement – both from the FOP in Montgomery and Chester Counties.
 
“We enjoy a very high quality of life in our region and one of the most important factors contributing to our success has been the dedicated men and women of law enforcement, who keep our families and neighborhoods safe,” said Drucker.  “I am honored to receive this endorsement from the FOP, and as a state representative I will do everything in my power to ensure that our law enforcement personnel receive the resources and support they need to continue their outstanding service to our community.”
 
Drucker said that his priorities are in line with those of law enforcement, whether they are broader issues such as social security, strong schools and access to health care, or issues more specific to police like providing pension benefits and collective bargaining rights.
 
“Our law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way every single day, and they deserve to have advocates in Harrisburg who not only appreciate their service but will provide leadership on the issues important to them,” Drucker said.

This is an important election year. We are at a crossroads in this nation and voters are looking for their elected officials to step up and show true leadership.

I believe Paul Drucker would be such an elected official and therefore, I am endorsing Paul for the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 157th District. Paul is a natural leader who has shown throughout his career a willingness to fight on behalf of his fellow citizens. He is a man of principle who isn’t afraid to fight for the things he believes in, and who has never compromised his values.

As a member of the Board of Supervisors, Paul has worked across the aisle to bring people together based upon common sense solutions. As a member of the State House of Representatives, I know that Paul will continue his bi-partisan work and will be a true citizen legislator, who puts the concerns of his constituents first. He will work on the issues that matter to voters. Paul is exactly the kind of person that we should all hope to have representing us.

I urge you to vote for Paul Drucker on November 4th. We have the chance to elect people this year who will get our state - and our nation - on the right track, and electing Paul Drucker would be a step in the right direction.

Sincerely,
Congressman Joe Sestak

Congressman Joe Sestak is a former 3-Star Admiral, who successfully ran for Congress in 2006, after completing his 31-year military service to our country.  Joe is the senior military veteran serving in Congress and the highest ranking former military officer ever elected to Congress.

Joe was born and raised in Delaware County, where he always maintained his residency.  He attended Cardinal O’Hara High School with his brother and six sisters.  The son of a Navy Captain who fought in World War II, Joe followed in the footsteps of his father and attended the U.S. Naval Academy where he graduated 2nd in his Class.  Joe also earned a Masters in Public Administration and a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University.  After his 31-year distinguished military career, Joe returned home to Delaware County with his family, where his parents and siblings also live.

Paul has been endorsed by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 - the latest in a growing list of organizations dedicated to improving the lives of working families in Pennsylvania who back his candidacy.
 
UFCW Local 1776 has 23,000 employees in Southeastern Pennsylvania.  In a letter announcing the endorsement, Wendell W. Young IV, UFCW 1776 President said that all the union’s members in the region would be notified of the endorsement and encouraged to support the Drucker Campaign.
 
UFCW members work in a variety of fields, including retail food stores, food processing and manufacturing and other industries. 
 
“The most important issues facing average Americans today are the poor economy, the decreasing availability of good-paying jobs, access to health care and quality schools,” said Drucker.  “These are the issues I plan to work on as a state legislator, and I appreciate this endorsement from UFCW.”
 
The UFCW joins the following organizations in their endorsement of Drucker:  the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the United Auto Workers (UAW), Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), and the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF), among others.