Published: March 05, 2008 11:32 pm      

Local Democrats kick off rallies

Cambria County Democrats will kick off the spring primary campaign with a rally at 7 p.m. today at Ace’s Lounge in the Cambria City section of Johnstown, county Chairwoman Helen Whiteford said.

It’s the first in a series of six rallies that will culminate in the annual spring breakfast at 9 a.m. April 19 at Ace’s.

She’s urging Democrats to turn out for the rallies because of the choices the party faithful will be making in the April 22 primary – not only for a presidential nominee but also for nominees for two open state House seats in the county.

“It’s democracy in action. It’s a good, healthy situation. (We Democrats are) alive and well,” she said.

Whiteford said that she hasn’t heard whether Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama will be making campaign stops locally before the election.

In the 71st district covering the city of Johnstown and several suburbs, six Democrats are vying for the party’s nomination: Bryan Barbin, Leonard Benjamin Britt, Thomas Chernisky, Denny Conahan, J.J. Livingston and William Stasko.

In the 72nd district, which includes parts of both Cambria and Somerset counties, seven people are contending for the Democratic nomination: Frank Burns, David Gehlman, Dave Kuhar, Jared Lambie, James Lamont, Nick Molnar and Stephen Yesenosky.

The other rallies, all scheduled for 7 p.m., are as follows:

East Taylor fire hall, a change from Westwood, March 13; St. Michael Firehall, March 27; Joey Dell’s Lounge, 2001 Bedford St., April 3; North Central Recreation Center, Ebensburg, April 10, and St. Benedict Community Center north of Ebensburg, April 17.

Whiteford said that election supplies will be distributed to committee members April 12 at the courthouse in Ebensburg and April 15 at Ace’s.