[bctt tweet=”Pennsylvania held a Primary election last Tuesday that wasn’t just business as usual. ” username=”@sheilakcollins”]The state had drawn a new map to replace a gerrymandered Republican map the State Supreme Court had ruled illegal. Democratic women all across the state took advantage of this unique opportunity to enter the political arena in record numbers.
A week before the primary, when I met candidate Stephanie Walsh at a neighbor’s house, I became excited about her and what she was bringing to the table. A former teacher turned budget analyst in state government, she got inspired to run when she and her daughters went to the Women’s March in Washington in 2016.
I too went to the Women’s March in Washington and became convinced we need more women at the table where governing is suppose to be happening. I was inspired to help her campaign, though I knew it was a long shot. But I also knew we have to take a longer view. A new candidate rarely wins their first time out,but they have to start somewhere.
Like most everyone these days, my schedule was quite full but I worked it out somehow. I walked a neighborhood on Sunday and called voters on Monday evening and Tuesday morning. I didn’t have anyone to do these activities with, but I enjoyed the time I took to do my part. Hearing the voices on the phone or in person, of actual people I didn’t know, and walking neighborhoods I’d never been to, made politics real for me.
I loved moments like a woman waving off the flyer I was trying to hand her at a polling place. She said with a proud smile, “I’ve met her and she’s wonderful. I’m definitely voting for her.” Another woman told me she wasn’t a Democrat but pointing to the man walking behind her, she said, “Talk to him. He is.” Whenanother woman responded negatively to my question, “Are you a Democrat?” I told her, “What a shame. You won’t be able to vote for this fabulous woman.” “Her retort, “I’ll see you in November.” My candidate didn’t win so no one will be able to vote for her this November. But congratulations to the many women who did win last Tuesday. And thank you Stephanie for being one of the many Pennsylvania women who gave this election an honest try.
