Politics & Government

Warminster Democrats Seek Balance in Township

Members of the Warminster Democratic Committee want the public offices to become a little more even after the Nov. 5 election.

If one looked at the GOP-laden board of supervisors and school board, he or she could easily think that Warminster is a Republican township. Not that long ago, that was indeed the case when 3,000 votes separated the two parties.

However, with the upcoming municipal elections in November, that number has been winnowed down to only 300 votes. Now, it's just a matter of getting those voters into the polls.

"We're pretty much 50-50, according to the voter registration numbers," said Brian Munroe, who joined the rest of the township's Democratic Committee for a campaign reception at Giuseppe's Friday night.

Munroe is making a run for Dan McPhillips supervisor seat. If successful, he would join Frank Feinberg as the Democratic minority on the board. They may not have enough to drive the agenda, but two voices can make more noise than one.

"We would be able to second each other's motion and bring an issue up for debate," said Feinberg, who faces a challenge from Jason Croley. "Besides, I don't think anybody wants to see a 5-0 board in favor of any party."

Feinberg hopes that balance would trickle down to the citizen boards. Since the Republicans gained a three-vote majority in 2011, which turned into four votes with the resignation of Ellen Jarvis and selection of McPhillips as her replacement, seats on the major committees, including planning, zoning and the municipal authority, have all gone to Republicans, Feinberg says.

"It's at the point that Democrats won't even apply," Feinberg said. "Which is a shame because these are volunteers willing to give up their time."

Just like their counterparts, the Democratic candidates have hit the streets and knocked on doors since July, generating good response. This is Munroe's first run for supervisor, but he has some experience with the campaign after making an unsuccessful bid against State Rep. Bernie O'Neill in the 2012 election.

"I was not a politician until that election," said Munroe. "I knew that I did not have any experience with campaigning, so I had to depend on people who knew more I did. I am using that experience now."


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