What Are Democrats Doing?
- DPOYC
- Aug 4
- 5 min read
I often hear the question “What are Democrats doing?”
It’s a fair question – especially at a time when our democracy is being challenged in ways that were once unthinkable. But I can assure you: YORK COUNTY DEMOCRATS ARE WORKING HARD – every single day – to fight back, build power, and defend the values we all share. This past month of July was no exception.
You might think summer is the slow season in politics. For York Dems, this July was a roller coaster. And through the highs and the lows, we showed up.
We watched the Republican majority ram through the “Big Bullsh** Bill”—a reckless piece of legislation that guts critical safety net programs to fund tax breaks for billionaires. Personally, I had just returned from family vacation when this devastating bill passed. I immediately put out a press release responding to the bill, highlighting how reckless this was and how local Congressmen were taking away basic programs needed for many from our area to survive.
Now, let me share how proud of our clubs and organizations we are. These groups have stepped up in a HUGE way this year and July was no exception:
On Saturday, July 12, Hanover for Progress volunteered and covered all shifts for the Snacktown Street Fair (Hanover) for the day. They registered voters and handed out a ton of information regarding our candidates, including South Western School District and judicial retention.
The Western York County Democratic Club and Hanover for Progress continued to plan for their annual fundraiser, a Celebration of Democracy, to be held on Saturday, August 16. They announced that form Representative and one-time Senate candidate Conor Lamb will be the keynote speaker. RSVP’s are still being accepted by clicking here!
Hanover for Progress, Mason Dixon 4 Democracy, York County Federation of Democratic and the Northern York Democratic Club have stepped up their activism activities including rallies in Hanover Square, Visibility Brigades at highway overpasses in Southern and Northern York County, and viewing parties for the Representative John Lewis documentary.
Most clubs held their monthly meetings with the Northern York Democratic Club hosting Kadida Kenner from the New PA Project to discuss the importance of the Judicial retention votes, Mason Dixon 4 Democracy had over 45 individuals at their July meeting, including candidates for Congress in 2026, and the York County Federation of Democratic Women hosted Samantha Dorm, a local historian, to discuss prominent and influential women of color in York County’s history and how they figured in to the Civil Rights activism of the 1960’s.
Mason Dixon 4 Democracy July meeting Mason Dixon 4 Democracy in collaboration with the non-partisan League of Women Voters, hosted the Federal Money Matters forum in Southern York County. This event was well attended, received media attention and prompted a public reply by Congressman Lloyd Smucker!
Mason Dixon 4 Democracy members marched in three local parades as well, Shrewsbury Fireman’s Parade on June 28; New Freedom Lion’s Club parade on July 5 and the Eureka Fireman’s parade in Stewartstown on July 19.
Our volunteers continue to be the bedrock of the Democratic Party. In July, our volunteers stepped up to participate in events, organize activities, and so much more:
The York State Fair ran for 10-days at the end of the month. In total, over 250 volunteer hours were filled in those 10 days to help staff our booth and get critical information out to voters in our area. For the first time in 15 years, there we no volunteer shifts left to sign up for as the fair began.
Volunteers in the Red Lion area helped to coordinate the Southern York Happy Hour at which nearly 30 folks from the area joined to chat about what is going on politically and how they can get more activated in the Red Lion area.
Plus, we can’t discount the volunteers who helped with all of the activities listed above with our clubs and organizations!
One of the key objectives of the York Dems is to offer opportunities for training, education, and tools to better enhance voter outreach in the area. In July, we once again organized several opportunities for this:
Each month we have hosted our New Volunteer Info Session. This is an opportunity to see everything the York Dems do and how to get involved. Our next session is this week, August 7 and you can sign up here!
We held a York Fair Volunteer Session prior to the start of the fair for any volunteers who may have never helped or needed a refresher on some of the details about volunteering at the fair and staffing our booth.
We hosted Citizens for York County an expanded coordination and training opportunity for candidates for school board in York County.
Finally, your leadership team and Executive Committee for the York Dems had a flurry of activities going on as well:
The York Dems Executive Committee met and approved two candidates for ballot vacancies to be filled for the general election. The committee selected Wes Andersonfor Dallastown School Board – District 2 and Jesuita Christ for Judge of Elections for York City 12-1. The committee will meet again in August to fill two additional vacancies for Township Supervisor in Codorus and West Manheim townships.
I met with various chairs from around the state to discuss tactics for Vote Yes Initiatives for the statewide judicial elections
A few members of our leadership team met with various organizing groups in the area to discuss further collaboration and support for the many activities and needs in the county right now
Several members of the Executive Committee were in attendance for the Janelle Stelson’s Campaign Launch for the Congressional 10th district in 2026
Janelle Stelson speaks to supporters after receiving Governor Josh Shapiro's endorsement for her candidacy for US Congress. I participated in two webinars discussing the 2025 Vote By Mail Acquisition Project and Voter Registration initiatives being organized by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.
Multiple members of the executive committee have attended every meeting, activity and event listed in the above list.
And finally, statewide candidates and elected leaders visiting York County took a major step forward this past month:
Washington County Judge Brandon Neumann, candidate for the PA Superior Court, spent time at the York State Fair where he met with voters, volunteers, County Commissioner Doug Hoke, State Representative Carol Hill-Evans, York City Councilperson Betsy Buckingham, and West York Borough Council member Alan Vandersloot. The Judge also enjoyed an amazing chopped cheese steak from the York Fireman’s Association stand under the grandstands!
Judge Brandon Neumann, candidate for PA Superior Court, stopped by the York State Fair and met our incredible volunteers! Governor Josh Shapiro and PA Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding stopped by the York State Fair and talked with constituents, met with local 4-H members, had a refreshing lemonade, and showed off their sewing skills at the quilt display in Old Main Hall. The Governor continued to show his support for our farmers and agricultural community and lauded York County as well.
Governor Shapiro spoke with a family at the York State Fair. Representative Jamie Raskin from Maryland joined Congressional candidate Janelle Stelson in York to show his support the campaign and to discuss the fallout from what is happening in DC. Over 200 supporters were on hand to hear the Representative who also brought with him over 100 young people to canvass in York City for the critical retention votes on the ballot this year. (This happened August 3, but we're counting it as part of July!)
Representative Jamie Raskin speaks during an event for Janelle Stelson.
The work that the York County Democrats do is never-ending and now, more than ever, is critically important. And we couldn't do it without our candidates, volunteers, and each and every person that plays some role in our efforts. Thank you to those who have volunteered and I hope to see so many more of you joining us in August and beyond.
In Solidarity,
Chad Baker, Chair
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