As pandemic rages, we can’t give up the fight

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa The election is over — Joe Biden will be the next President of the United States. You know what’s not over? The COVID-19 pandemic. More than 180,000 new cases were reported Friday, some 5,500 in Pennsylvania. Over the last week, Chester County is averaging 100 new cases a day — and generally speaking, we’re doing better than average, But still...

It’s happening: Democrats to outnumber GOP in Chester County

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Well, it finally happened. By Monday, it is very likely that for the first time since before the Civil War, there will be more registered Democrats in Chester County than Republicans. Last week, the gap had closed to less than 65, and Democrats had been picking up a couple of hundred registered voters a week in recent weeks. Obviously, electorally, Chester...

Dinniman announces retirement

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times State Sen. Andy Dinniman Chester County Democratic powerhouse State Sen. Andy Dinniman announced Friday night that he would not seek reelection for a fourth term — just weeks after launching his reelection. Dinniman, a former County Commissioner and Democratic Party Chair, announced Friday that family concerns meant it was time to end a three-decade career in politics,...

A tragic loss hits Chester County’s political world

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Just days after their biggest win in more than a century, Chester County’s Democrats are now grieving one of the biggest losses — a life ended far too soon. Adam Swope, 38, who served as County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone’s Administrative Analyst and myriad other roles with the county party died Saturday afternoon in a fiery crash at the intersection of U.S. 202...

Van de Krol to replace Crossan as Clerk of Courts candidate

Yolanda Van de Krol WEST CHESTER – The county’s Democratic Party announced formally on Wednesday that Yolanda de Krol will replace Maria Crossan on the fall ballot for Clerk of Courts. Crossan withdrew from the race, citing family concerns, earlier this month. The party’s Executive Committee voted unanimously Wednesday night to back Van de Krol. She will face Republican Robin Marcello,...

Chesco Dems back Sestak, Parrish, Balchunis and Hartman

The county’s Democratic Party made key endorsements in the U.S. Senate race as well in three local congressional races at its annual party convention, Wednesday night, backing Joe Sestak for Senate and Michael Parrish in the 6th District, Mary Ellen Balchunis in the 7th District and Christina Hartman in the 16th District. Additionally, the committee endorsed Josh Shapiro for Attorney General over...