Fellow Democrats, it sure feels good to win. At a time when our country is facing historic challenges and our government is failing to meet the moment, voters have spoken. They demand change. It was this sentiment that drove unusually high turnout in this year’s election — that propelled our candidates to historic victories and moved Cumberland County yet another step closer to a true flip. I’ll never tire of listing our wins, but instead I’ll direct you to my postelection message here: https://cumberlandcountydems.com/what-a-night/

Political analysts are already predicting similar dynamics for next year’s important mid-term elections. Our task now is to seize this opportunity. We can’t rely on negative voter sentiment alone; we will need to organize, fundraise and work harder than we ever have before to lock in these gains and continue this wave into 2026. If voters are demanding change, we must deliver it. That means our newly elected officials must serve our communities well (as they surely will). It means proving to voters that choosing us will help improve their lives. It means listening to those who feel unheard. Finally, it means welcoming voters of all backgrounds into our coalition. 

Here’s our call to action: 

1. Celebrate and rest. Enjoy the holidays, time with friends and family. Take a break and relish the joy of this season. 

2. Make a plan. Set a goal for how you can help us ride this wave. Resolve to get involved in new ways in the new year. 

3. Get to work. Let’s hit the ground running for 2026. Stay tuned for more info on how you can help by volunteering, donating — and maybe even running for office. 

The Democratic Party stands for using the levers of government to improve people’s lives. Let’s prove it, build on these victories and ride the wave until we turn Cumberland County blue!  

— Matt Roan

Chair

Cumberland County Democratic Committee

chair@cumberlandcountydems.com
 

Congratulations to our Democratic candidates on historic wins across Cumberland County! Thank you to everyone who supported our candidates. Our time, money and energy paid off in a big way. 

We worked hard. We worked together. And now we prepare to do the work to earn re-election and create the opportunities for more wins. 

We must govern well, better than anyone has governed before us. We can’t take our wins for granted or believe they are a given.

I’m excited to be on a team of talented people, working with our newly elected Dems to help them as they navigate their leadership roles. 

I’m stoked for the future of the Democratic Party in Cumberland County. We’re riding the big blue wave. I’m pondering a question, though: How do we prevent a wipeout in the midterms? I’d like to know your thoughts. Text me at  717-571-3343 or email me at vargas@comcast.net. If I get enough feedback, I’ll talk about your ideas on social media. 

—  Jean Foschi, Cumberland County Commissioner

jmfoschi@cumberlandcountypa.gov

Young Democrats Update

The South Central Young Dems are proud to celebrate the elections of three members, two of them right here in Cumberland County. Please send congratulations to Montana Hartman (Cumberland County prothonotary), Tia Wolfe (Camp Hill borough council) and Jeremy Zimmerman (Manheim Township commissioner)! We are so proud of the young Dems who have stepped up to serve their communities.

Upcoming winter events include our strategic planning meeting, VAN training and more social events! The best way to keep up with us is through any of the links below.

Become a member! 

Attend an event! 

Follow us on social media! 

Read our newsletter!

— Katie Juliana

In our local newspapers, Cumberland County Dems have called out the injustices of the Trump administration as well as the GOP role in the state budget impasse. Here are two examples, published Oct. 4 in The Sentinel and Patriot-News.

Our State Budget Crisis Deserves More Than Political Stunts
Gov. Josh Shapiro and lawmakers have been engaged in budget negotiations since before the June 30 deadline, yet more than 80 days later, Pennsylvania still has no budget. This impasse has delayed funding for schools, libraries, human services and mass transit. Disputes over spending levels, education, transit and the regulation of “games of skill” continue to stall progress.

Meanwhile, my state senator, Dawn Keefer (R-District 31) is touring the state to promote ending property taxes instead of focusing on resolving this crisis. She even posted a video using a flamethrower on the governor’s proposed budget — just weeks after the governor’s home was firebombed. The reasons young people leave are clear: a $7.25 minimum wage, lack of affordable housing and child care, poor public transportation, no legalized marijuana, weak LGBTQ+ protections, unfair school funding and crushing college debt.

This behavior is reckless and dismissive of the real issues facing our state. At one of Sen. Keefer’s property-tax events, she claimed Pennsylvania must stop being a “destination state for senior citizens” and lamented that young people are leaving.

Pennsylvania is one of only four states with a full-time legislature. Lawmakers earn over $110,000 plus mileage, per diems and annual cost-of-living raises — yet they are scheduled for just 50 session days a year. 

It’s time for our well-paid, full-time legislators to stop the distractions, pass a budget and address these real problems.

— Jo Bitzer, Patriot-News

Addendum: Pennsylvania finally passed its 2025-26 state budget on Nov. 12, after a 135-day impasse.

The Important Work of Helping Refugees

In August 2021, when Kabul fell, I was inspired to assist Afghans seeking refuge in our country. Since then, I’ve volunteered for the Harrisburg office of Church World Service, one of 10 resettlement agencies that have assisted the U.S. Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration with refugee resettlement. Despite drastic staff reductions, due to the brutal slashing of federal funding, CWS Harrisburg is doing its best to serve the refugees who have managed to gain legal entry to our country and provide guidance to volunteers like me.

The Afghan and Sudanese refugees I have assisted with integration into our community are among the most sincere, gracious, generous, peaceful and hard-working individuals I’ve ever met. All are here legally, are college graduates and former teachers who are grateful to be working in warehouses and food service to provide for their families and live independently.

Some hold down full-time and part-time jobs; all are polishing their English skills. Returning to their home countries would be a death sentence, as they are members of persecuted ethnic minorities. How many of their fellow citizens will perish as the U.S. restricts immigration and resettlement while other refugees, such as South Africans, are prioritized?

At this point, the Trump Administration has broken the law (the Refugee Act of 1980), which requires the administration to have meaningful consultations with Congress and to set a refugee admissions goal for the coming year, with a deadline of Oct. 1.

Ignoring this deadline means that all refugee resettlement administered through the United States Refugee Admissions Program is on hold. A reasonable goal, according to Refugee Council USA, would be to admit 125,000 refugees in 2026. This level reflects the global scale of need and fulfills the promise to the more than 120,000 refugees already conditionally approved for resettlement. 

— Sherri Kimmel, The Sentinel

Addendum: On Oct. 31, the White House set the 2026 refugee admissions goal at just 7,500 refugee admissions. This number represents the lowest refugee admissions goal in the history of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program at a time of significant global resettlement need. The slots will primarily be allocated among Afrikaners from South Africa.

The Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee (PADSC) will hold its endorsement meeting Feb. 6-7 in Harrisburg, focusing on gubernatorial and congressional races. Your input is valued. Feel free to share comments or suggestions with any state committee member at  jsmith1063@comcast.net.

Cumberland County’s PADSC members are:

• Jacqueline Smith-Bennett

• Thomas E. Fink

• Sean Quinlan

• Matt Roan (CCDC chair)

• Sandy Wolfe

Details follow on two of these dedicated members:

Jaqueline Smith-Bennett has served the state Democratic Party in many ways. She was elected treasurer of the South Central Caucus, comprising Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lebanon, Perry and York counties; appointed state committee secretary; served on the executive committee and as a forum panelist and spiritual leader of the Constituency Women’s Caucus; founded the Constituency Black Caucus; and was a member of the Constituency Senior Caucus and the Constituency Rural Caucus.

Sandra Wolfe has been a dedicated leader in Democratic politics for decades. Since her election to the PADSC she has served on the Bylaws Committee — twice as chair — where she rewrote and continues to maintain the PADSC bylaws. She pioneered the caucus system and launched the Constituency Caucuses in 1989 as part of her outreach work on the Affirmative Action Committee. A proud member of many of these caucuses, she has represented and spoken on behalf of several state chairs across Pennsylvania.

Sandra played a key role in aligning Cumberland County with the South Central Caucus and continues to collaborate with fellow caucus members and the county chair to strengthen statewide Democratic efforts. A lifelong Democrat, she has inspired others — including her own family — to join the party. Her commitment to grassroots engagement includes past advisory roles with young Democrats. Sandra remains a passionate advocate for Democrats across the commonwealth.