The Lock Haven Moose Family Center on South Hanna Street was packed on Thursday, Sept. 20 as Democrats from around Clinton County and beyond turned out for the Clinton County Democratic Committee’s annual Fall Picnic.
This year’s picnic featured Democratic nominees seeking election this Nov. 6, including Marc Friedenberg, candidate for PA’s 12th Congressional District, and Mike Hanna Jr., candidate for PA’s 76th Legislative District; as well as state Democratic Committee Chairwoman Nancy Patton Mills, state Rep. Mike Hanna Sr., and Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins, who spoke on behalf of U.S. Senator Bob Casey.
Local Democratic Party Chairwoman Rose Reeder welcomed roughly 130 attendees to the event and introduced each of the featured speakers throughout the evening. She called on Democrats to be positive and work hard through Election Day and beyond. That theme was echoed throughout the evening.
Each of the candidates and featured guests took a few moments to speak about their passions and reasons for running in this year’s election. The speakers touched on the need to elect fair leaders with integrity who will work for the middle class by supporting Social Security, fighting for public education, providing access to affordable healthcare, safeguarding individual freedoms, pushing for broadband internet access in rural America, and protecting the environment for future generations.
Patton Mills, new state party chair, said she was excited to be invited to Clinton County for this event and introduced herself by describing her Democratic lineage. She spoke about the importance of being active and engaged even in times when elections are not taking place, or when there is not a big ticket name on the ballot.
Before the evening concluded, past Clinton County Democratic Committee Chairman Joe Waltz also spoke.
Through a humor-filled anecdote about his time as a high school basketball coach, and later referee, Waltz explained how he first met Mike Hanna Sr., a “vociferous” sports fan and enthusiast. Waltz said Hanna Sr. took that same energy to Harrisburg to fight for constituents of the 76th District for more than two decades.
The CCDC then honored Hanna Sr., and wife Susan, and presented each of them with a small gift as tokens of appreciation for their years of service to the community. Hanna was also presented with a framed personal letter from Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, who is also seeking reelection this year.
Hanna Sr. thanked the crowd for their support and said this year’s election is very important. He said he was proud to represent the 76th District and took the opportunity to encourage voters to support Mike Hanna Jr. in his election bid, adding, “There is no way to the majority without electing Mike Hanna Jr.”
The picnic kicked off with a social hour and musical entertainment provided by local musician Phil Reeder. In addition to the dinner, the event also featured a silent auction, opportunities for attendees to gather election materials to learn more about candidates on the ballot, and a clothing drive to support the recently-started Clinton County Dems Kick Cancer Relay for Life Team.
Clinton County Democratic Party 