Ann's Choice Hosts Candidate Expo

When the one day of the election cycle comes when politicians are permitted to campaign on the grounds of the largest voting district in Warminster and third largest in Bucks County, it's a sure bet that the candidates will jump on the opportunity to visit Ann's Choice.

Such was the case Wednesday night as township, school board and county incumbents and their challengers set up shop for two hours at Ann's Choice's Candidate Expo. Organized by the retirement community's Political Interest Group, residents were given the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the people vying for public office on Nov. 5.

"We used to have debates, but they took up so much time," said Sally Rosen-Plon, president of the Political Interest Group. "This is a much better, non-partisan way to get to know the candidates."

The guests for the expo came from local offices, including the Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler, running unopposed, and the Bucks County Sheriff candidates Edward Donnelly, the incumbent, and his Democratic challenger Dennis McCauley, but many Ann's Choice resident wanted to talk national politics.

"A lot of them wanted to just vent over the shutdown," said Brian Munroe, running for township supervisor. "The dynamic has definitely changed. Two weeks ago the township was on people's minds, but now the federal government is the number one topic."

While the foot traffic was not as heavy as the last two years' expos, the candidates saw a steady stream of interested voters visit each table. As the township candidates listened to the frustrations over Washington, D.C., the school board candidates learned that education trumps all.

"This is an older community," said Betty Huf, running to keep her seat in Centennial's second district, "but they are still very concerned about their grandchildren's schools and the quality of their education."

As the weeks count down to election day, all of the candidates are preparing for the final push to get the vote out. There's no misconceptions that an off-year election with no major state or national offices up for grabs will be a barn-burner. 

"There's no question that this year is all about turnout," said Dan McPhillips, the incumbent Republican candidate for township supervisor. "It's going to be about which side can get more of the party faithful out to the polls."