Candidates for state and federal offices called for party unity and issued campaign promises during the annual Lycoming County Democratic Party Jackson Day Dinner Monday night.
The event, which drew several hundred people at the Holiday Inn, 100 Pine St., featured state Auditor Gen. Jack Wagner.
Wagner, seeking re-election, perhaps summed up the evening best when he called for his party to be “passionate, energized and unified.”
He lashed out at Republicans for the rising national debt, the economy and the Iraqi War, which he made clear, “never should have happened.”
“We all support the troops,” Wagner, a Vietnam War veteran, said. “The best thing you can do for the troops is have a plan to end the war.”
Wagner, a former Pittsburgh city councilman and state senator, said as auditor general he successfully brought about much needed changes with PHEAA. He said his office also audited the state police Web site to help bring people better information about sexual predators living in their neighborhoods.
Other Democratic candidates on hand were: Rick Vilello and Mark McCracken, 5th Congress; Rob McCord, state treasurer; Trey Casimir, 23rd state Senate; Mark Holt and Rick Mirabito, 83rd state House.
Vince Rongione, campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-Dimock, spoke on behalf of Carney, and Charley Wolfe campaigned for state treasurer candidate John Cordisco.
Vilello said that among the 12 candidates seeking the 5th Congressional seat, he is the plow horse who will work for the people.
He referred to his job as mayor of Lock Haven, bringing economic development to the city.
“I have a track record as mayor,” he said. “I want to take my work ethic to Washington, D.C.”
McCracken noted that as Clearfield County commissioner, he helped balance budgets and create jobs.
“Something happened the last eight years and it’s not the Democratic Party,” he said. “We are at war. Gas prices are high. We are in a recession whether we like it or not.”
Bill Cahir, the other Democrat running for 5th Congress, did not attend the dinner.
McCord, a Montgomery County venture capitalist, warned the audience not to forget the “evil” done by Republicans in recent years.
Wolfe said Cordisco stands for better transparency in government finances as well as Growing Greener initiatives.
Rongione said Carney has been successful during his first term in office passing a bill for expanding college education opportunities for national guard and reserve personnel who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He also noted Carney’s record of bringing the most federal money to his home district of any freshman member of Congress.
Casimir, the lone Democrat for the 23rd Senate seat, said as a Lewisburg acupuncturist he understands treating peoples’ problems.
“A lot of people are suffering right now,” he said. “I don’t have the answers. (But) we need to try something new.”
Holt said the fight against Interstate 80 tolls and cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay are among the pressing issues facing the local area.
“We have to get a Democrat down there to represent our area,” he said. “I’ve lived in Williamsport for 25 years. I have kids and grandchildren. I’m concerned they won’t be able to do what I’ve done.”
Mirabito said the two pressing issues are economic development and property taxes.
He called for organizing people into solving the economic problems as well as a Statewide Alliance of Rural Representatives in Harrisburg.
