by Charlie Deitch
PITTSBURGH – Veteran U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-18, along with elected officials in western Pennsylvania such as state Rep. Austin Davis of Allegheny County and Lindsey Williams of Allegheny County are calling on the chairwoman of the Allegheny County Democratic Party to resign after he defended a pair of controversial support for two House of Representatives races.
County Chair Eileen Kelly and Pittsburgh City Councilman Anthony Coghill held a press conference Tuesday to respond to the controversy over the party endorsed the candidate for the 36th House District, Heather Kass despite her history of inflammatory social media posts. At the same press conference, Kelly downplayed Allegheny County Councilwoman Bethany Hallam’s previous struggles with drug addiction.
on Wednesday, Kelly called for support “the purest form of democracy… the people on the committee know the candidates best.”
The committee voted 49 to 19 in support of Kass, the handpicked successor to retiring MP Harry Readshaw. Kass gave the nod to Benham, a progressive who has the support of Williams and other high-ranking Democrats, including Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto.
According to WESA-FM’s Chris Potter:
“Kelly went further, saying some critics were less understanding of Kass — who says she took office during a health crisis — than they were of Hallam, who spoke openly about his struggle with addiction which led to a stay in the county jail. “But we have Bethany Hallam, who has her own past that she talks openly about, and then she comes out and says, ‘I’m sorry, blah blah blah,’ and she’s forgiven. … So why is it good for them and not for [Kass]?”
In a statement, Doyle, dean of Pennsylvania’s Democratic delegation on Capitol Hill, called Kelly’s remarks “disturbing and unacceptable.”
“It is clear to me and many other Democratic Party leaders and stakeholders that the chairman must resign for Democrats across the county to have faith in our party and remain united,” Doyle said. “It is time for new, fresh leadership and a re-examination of our bylaws to ensure that we unite our party around our shared values in this critically important election year.”
It looks @USRepMikeDoyle calls to @AlleghenyDems Eileen Kelly chair (@AlleghenyDemsCh) to resign as chairwoman of the Allegheny County Democratic Party. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/f7BqX6RXvC
— Jon Delano (@JonDelano) February 20, 2020
In a tweet, Davis, the county party’s vice chair, called Kelly’s remarks a “disgrace,” adding that “[believes] in the Democratic Party” and that it is clear that Kelly “does not share our values and should not lead our party.”
This is a disgrace! I believe in the Democratic Party! I believe in the people who built and are creating this event! It is known that the chairman @AlleghenyDems he does not share our values and should not lead our party! https://t.co/yDKzcXNMhp
— Austin Davis (@AustinDavisPA) February 20, 2020
Williams expressed a similar sentiment:
“A good leader is someone who not only inspires others to follow her, but is also willing to constantly learn and grow from those around her,” she said. “It is clear that Eileen Kelly is not the leader of our district party. She should step down immediately.”
Charlie Deitch is the editor of the Pittsburgh Current where this story first appeared.
