State Committee

State Committee Meeting Information

February Meeting Information

Our next Democratic Party Weekend is scheduled for February 5^th & 6^th.

August Meeting

In the first-ever Democratic Party Straw Poll for governor, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato has gained some early momentum by winning the most votes in the pursuit of the 2010 nomination. All candidates who have either announced or have indicated their intent to run in the Democratic primary were placed on the ballot. Attendees of the All-American Family Picnic were additionally given the option to write-in a favorite candidate of their choice.

“This Democratic party-building event is a testament to the strength or our candidates. More than a year before we select our next governor, the Democratic field of candidates are demonstrating their outreach and organizing efforts, and are clearly preparing themselves for a victory next year,” said Democratic Party Chairman, T.J. Rooney. “Even when it rains on a picnic, Democrats in Pennsylvania find a way to shine,” Rooney said.

Other candidates who were in attendance to compete in the straw poll were state Auditor General Jack Wagner and Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel. Philadelphia businessman Tom Knox and Mayor Chris Doherty of Scranton were not in attendance but their names did appear on the ballot.

Supreme Court nominee, Jack Panella oversaw the vote counting for what was considered to be an overwhelming turnout The final results were as follows:

Write-in Totals
Chairman Rooney	-	4
Rep. Mike Gerber	-	2
Sen. Specter	-	1
Rep. Sestak	-	1
Rep. Brady	-	1

Final Results
Onorato	-	591
Wagner	-	215
Knox	-	207
Hoeffel	-	160
Doherty	-	103

In keeping with the theme of party unity for the weekend, by a unanimous voice acclamation, The Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee today nominated Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Teresa Sarmina to fill the fourth spot on the November ballot for the Pennsylvania Superior Court created by the resignation of Judge Maureen Lally-Green. If elected in November, Judge Sarmina would become the first Hispanic woman to hold a seat on the Judge Teresa Sarmina Superior Court and would be the first Hispanic elected to state-wide office in Pennsylvania.

Judge Sarmina joins fellow Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Anne Lazarus, Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Robert Colville, and Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney Kevin McCarthy on the Democratic ticket for the Superior Court. Earlier this year, Judge Sarmina received a “highly recommended” rating from the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the organization’s highest recommendation for judicial candidates.

Judge Sarmina is serving her second ten-year term on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, where she is a member of the elite Homicide Program and has presided over more than 100 trials since 2003. After receiving her Master’s degree from the University of Chicago, Judge Sarmina earned her law degree at Georgetown University and spent part of her early career working in Philadelphia as an Assistant District Attorney to then-District Attorney, now Governor, Edward G. Rendell.

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