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,...

After the crisis passes, things will change in America

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Obviously, the single most important thing with the current COVID-19 crisis is keeping you and your family safe. We’re reached the point where the virus is impacting everyone, whether it means your business, your kids in school (my son attends Temple, which will close its dorms next Saturday — and we’re awaiting updates on my daughter at Nevada-Reno, which...

The joy (not) of paying the GOP tax

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Say what you will about Donald Trump, but a lot of what either thrills or angers folks is decades in the making. Essentially, Republicans being Republicans. For me, personally, that means grabbing money from me and my family and cheerfully reassigning it to wealthy people and corporations. Until I recently did the math, though, I had no idea how bad those numbers...

Spare me the ‘outrage’ on Sims’ abortion comments

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times So there it was, the screaming email this morning from someone named Marian Casillas declaring “Bully Brian Sims must RESIGN!” Sims is a state legislator from Philly who got a little over the top when calling out anti-abortion protestors (they are decidedly not pro-life when they want to cut food stamps, slash health care, and fight against gun safety) they...

Democrats endorse Sondergaard, Binder, Maxwell & Maddox

WEST CHESTER — Chester County Democrats are on the verge of a third consecutive tear of historic wins as they gathered at Stetson Middle School Tuesday night to endorse countywide judicial and row offices.  Among the 23 candidates presented to the Committee, only two – Deb Ryan for District Attorney and Chris Pielli for Recorder of Deeds — ran unopposed. All came with impeccable resumes...

Why I’m NOT running…

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times So, that went well. After more than three months of mounting a campaign for a county wide office, I pulled the ripcord Saturday and said, “enough.” It became clear that I am not cut out for politics, circa 2019. With the infighting, the false narratives and yes, concerns about corrupt conduct, I knew it was going to be bad, but like Maroon5’s Super Bowl halftime...

Op/Ed: Why I’m running

Mike McGann By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times People run for office for a lot of reasons: ambition, fame, passion, lust for power and yes, a desire to do good works. Put me in the final category. As someone who has been around elected officials for much of my adult life — either as a media member or someone actively involved in politics — I’ve seen those reasons really drive both how that...

Feeling a bit bluer than usual after Election Day

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times So, what to take away from Tuesday’s election results? While the county’s Congressional races and even State Representative races weren’t a surprise (regular readers will note I felt pretty strongly that Democrats could win all but three state house districts unless the national wave was immense, which it was not, and they did), you have to think that the...

OpEd: In 2018, Republicans are fighting for the future

By Val DiGiorgio, Chairman, Republican Party of Pennsylvania Val DiGiorgio A lot has changed in our national political landscape—some for the good, some for the bad—but for the first time in over a decade (thanks in large part to Republican achievement) a record-low number of people are concerned about the economy.  Republican-led tax cuts and deregulation have created an economic boom in...

It’s not even Labor Day and the voters are exhausted

I’m so tired, I haven’t slept a wink I’m so tired, my mind is on the blink I wonder should I get up and fix myself a drink — “I’m So Tired” The Beatles. By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times In a week where the headlines came fast and furious, which few enjoyed unless they were playing Criminal Republican Bingo, it seems like the voting public is dividing into three groups:...