John Linder for State Senate

Press Releases

  • Linder Loses to Pileggi

    CHESTER—9th District Democratic State Senate candidate John Linder has been defeated by his Republican opponent Dominic Pileggi. Pileggi won with 74,669 votes, or 58.1 percent of the vote, while Linder received 53,795 votes, or 41.9 percent of the vote.

    Linder addressed his supporters this evening at the Willie Mae Leake Plaza in Chester.

    "Our campaign fought hard to address the needs of the 9th Senatorial District. There are still issues that challenge us, including health care, education funding and putting our economy back on track. I sincerely hope that my opponent will work to address these problems in Harrisburg.

    "Although we did not win, I am very grateful for the opportunity to have taken part in the democratic process in these historic times. November 4th proved that democracy is alive and well in the United States. I believe our campaign strengthened our community here in Pennsylvania. And we can be very proud of that. To my family, friends, and supporters, thank you again for all of your hard work."

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    For more information on John, please visit www.linder08.com

  • Linder Endorsed by Local Steelworkers

     

    CHESTER—9th District Democratic State Senate candidate John Linder today accepted  the endorsement of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 10-1. USW Local 10-1 represents over 700 workers at the Sunoco Philadelphia refinery, the oldest continuously operating  petroleum facility in the world.   
    Local 10-1 President Jim Savage released a statement in support of Linder’s candidacy.   
    "Working families in Pennsylvania deserve a government that serves their needs, not the  same old partisan gridlock," Savage said. "While health care costs continue to spiral out  of control and squeeze working family budgets, Senator Pileggi seems to take pride in  being an obstructionist. The people of the 9th District deserve results, not partisan games.  That is why USW Local 10-1 overwhelmingly endorses John Linder for State Senate."  
    Linder accepted the endorsement and spoke of the growing support for his candidacy.   
    "I graciously accept the endorsement of United Steelworkers Local 10-1," Linder said.  "The hardworking people of Chester and Delaware Counties understand that I am the  candidate who will best represent their interests in the State Senate. I will fight to enact  meaningful health care reform, reduce energy costs, and adequately fund our schools.   
    "My campaign’s momentum is growing by the day. With only eleven days left until the  election, I am confident that we have a real chance to win. My campaign will continue  working hard until the votes are counted. We can win this race."   
    The Linder campaign will be holding a house party tonight in Kennett Square starting at  7 pm. The event is open to the media. For more information, please contact Alex Radus  at 908-797-6421.  
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    For more information on John, please visit www.linder08.com .

  • Linder Campaign Launches "Fresh" Ad


    LINDER CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES "FRESH" AD
    CHESTER--9th District Democratic State Senate candidate John Linder this morning launched his first television advertisement. The ad, entitled "Fresh," highlights Linder's background and commitment to acting on health care reform, energy, and education.
    Linder Political Director Alex Radus spoke of the ad's ability to introduce John to thousands of voters in Chester and Delaware Counties.
    "Dominic Pileggi thought his reelection would be a cinch," Radus said. "But he was wrong. This television advertisement is a demonstration of our campaign's strength. We already are reaching thousands of voters across the district by knocking on doors, making phone calls, and attending community events. Now voters in Chester and Delaware Counties will have another way to learn about John and how he will serve them better than Dominic Pileggi."
    Radus also spoke of the 9th Senatorial District’s role in the
    presidential election.
    "This is a very exciting election year," Radus said. "Our campaign hopes to build on the enthusiasm for politics generated by Barack Obama and Joe Biden. We know that this is a swing district in the presidential election as well. Over the next twelve days, we will do everything we can to turn out voters for the Democratic ticket. If we do that, John Linder and Barack Obama will win this election."
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    For more information on John, please visit www.linder08.com.

  • Linder-Pileggi Debate on Monday


    CHESTER—9th District Democratic State Senate candidate John Linder will be participating in a candidate forum on Monday, October 20th at 7:30 pm at Riddle Village Retirement Community in Media. The forum is sponsored by the Chester County League of Women Voters and is open to the media.


    WHAT: League of Women Voters Candidate Forum, featuring 9th District State Senate candidate John Linder
    WHEN: Monday, October 20th at 7:30 pm
    WHERE: Riddle Village Retirement Community, 1048 West Baltimore Pike, Media
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    For more information on John, please visit www.linder08.com .

  • Linder Speaks on Fall Legislative Session

    CHESTER—9 th  District Democratic State Senate candidate John Linder participated in a conference call this afternoon to discuss the progress made in the fall legislative session.  The call showcased selected candidates running against members of the Senate Republican leadership.   

    "It is a moral obligation for us to insure more Pennsylvanians," Linder said. "10% of the adults in my district go without any form of insurance. It is time for Senate Republicans to recognize that most people without health insurance don’t choose not to purchase it.   

    "We must work toward covering every Pennsylvanian, and we can do this without an across-the-board tax increase. Incentivizing employers to insure their workers is a sensible way to do this. And by investing in preventive care now, we stand to save lives and dollars in the future. We will recoup the initial investment by reducing chronic illness treatment and emergency room costs."   

    Linder also criticized his opponent, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, for opposing efforts at health care reform.   

    "I am very disappointed that my opponent led Senate Republicans’ opposition to all of the compromise proposals put forth by Governor Rendell and House Democrats," Linder said. "Cover All Pennsylvanians became the ABC Plan and then Model E, but Senator Pileggi still would not insure a single more Pennsylvanian. That is a disgrace, and I will right that wrong in Harrisburg."  

      --  For more information on John, please visit www.linder08.com .

  • Democratic Senate Candidates Challenge Harrisburg Status Quo


    Democratic Senate Candidates Challenge Harrisburg Status Quo

    HARRISBURG—The Democratic State Senate Campaign Committee held a conference call this afternoon to discuss the fall legislative session. The call featured three candidates running against members of the Senate Republican leadership: John Linder, 9th District; P.J. Symons, 29th District; and Judy Hirsh, 15th District. Each candidate talked about an important issue in his or her district that the Senate has failed to address adequately.

    Linder, whose district includes parts of Chester and Delaware Counties, spoke about health care.

    "I am very disappointed that my opponent, Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, led Senate Republicans' opposition to all of the compromise proposals put forth by Governor Rendell and House Democrats," Linder said. "Cover All Pennsylvanians became the ABC Plan and then Model E, but Senator Pileggi still would not insure a single more Pennsylvanian. That is a disgrace, and I will right that wrong in Harrisburg."

    Symons, whose district includes parts of Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, and Schuylkill Counties, spoke about electric deregulation.

    "As the recent worldwide economic crisis has illustrated, we cannot just strip away governmental regulation and let the market run its course," Symons said. "But that is what my opponent, seven-term incumbent James Rhoades, has advocated for decades. I am very disappointed that he was one of only three Senators to vote against House Bill 2200. That is a slap in the face of the working families in my district who will have trouble coping with electric rate increases that could exceed 35% next winter."

    Hirsh, whose district includes parts of Dauphin and York Counties, spoke about job creation and economic development.

    "Offering tax incentives to manufacturing companies would help to create and keep jobs here in Pennsylvania," Hirsh said. "In addition, for those who have lost their job, we must offer vocational training to help get them back on their feet. I also will support measures that regulate practices that would defraud working families of their earnings. This includes Senate Bill 100, which would allow for easier prosecution of home improvement fraud. Sadly, my opponent, former Senate Majority Whip and Consumer Protection Committee member Jeff Piccola, was the only Senator to oppose this bill in 2007."

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    For more information on the DSSCC, please visit www.dsscc.org .

  • Linder: "We need health care reform. And we need it now."

    CHESTER—9th District Democratic State Senate candidate John Linder today issued the following statement on the progress made during the current legislative session:

    "My opponent, Senator Dominic Pileggi, is the Senate Majority Leader. He and his friends in the Senate Republican leadership are in charge of the legislative calendar. So the people of my district and I hold him more responsible than most Senators for what goes on in Harrisburg.

    "Senator Pileggi, we need health care reform. And we need it now. There are only three days left in the current legislative session, not just until the election, but through the end of the calendar year. If the Senate does not act by Wednesday, health care reform will be delayed until 2009. And that means that the thousands of people in my district without health insurance will remain one illness away from physical and financial ruin. We owe it to our fellow citizens to do better, and we can do better.

    "It is time to fix our broken health care system. Senator Pileggi, the ball is in your court."

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    For more information on John, please visit www.linder08.com

  • Linder: Pileggi may lead most self-serving legislature in state history

    CHESTER—9th District Democratic State Senate candidate John Linder held a press conference in Chester Wed, Sept 10th on the state of health care and urged passage of the Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care (ABC) plan. Linder was joined in delivering petitions in support of the plan and at the press conference by State Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland.

     

    In front of Republican Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi's office in Chester, Linder criticized Pileggi for not bringing the House-approved ABC bill to a vote.

     

    "The State House said: shame on us for not looking after our brothers and sisters," Linder said. "It passed a version of the Access to Basic Care plan, which would provide insurance to 270,000 Pennsylvanians. Unfortunately, the plan also had to be ratified by the State Senate, led by our Senator Dominic Pileggi.

     

    "And there the story takes a sad turn. You see, our Senator may lead the most self-serving legislature in state history. So what happened to the ABC Plan bill? Nothing. Just like nothing happened with the special session on ethics, reducing home heating prices, fully funding our public schools, or banning mandatory overtime for nurses."

     

    Linder spoke of the difficult choices that families in his district are being forced to make due to Senator Pileggi's inaction on health care legislation.

     

    "I view health insurance as part of my family's basic needs," Linder said. "Sadly, many families in our area are being forced to make tough decisions: whether to put food on the table and gas in the tank or to pay for health care. Health coverage has become unaffordable and of poor quality for too many people in Chester and Delaware Counties."

     

    Linder made the case to be elected the next Senator from the 9th District.

     

    "We are given the opportunity every four years to vote poor legislators out of office," Linder said. "I hope you will take that opportunity on Tuesday, November 4th and show Dominic Pileggi the door. You can count on me to be a voice for the needs of our working families. Please give me a chance to fight for you in Harrisburg."

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    For more information on John Linder, please visit www.linder08.com .

  • John Linder's Speech at Widener Convention Watch Party

    "We cannot afford to let one person--one person--we know not come out to vote on November 4th," John Linder said in an impassioned speech last night before a 100-plus audience at Widener University. "I am proud to be a part of this historic political year. Pennsylvania is important to Barack Obama; Delaware County is important to Pennsylvania; and Chester City is important to Delaware County. I am going to work hard to be your next state Senator, but my real job this year is to help elect Barack Obama President of the United States. We must be relentless."

  • Linder Week in Review - 08/26/08

    John Linder was very active in the 9th district, canvassing in Chester, Media, and Sadsbury Township and attending Sadsbury Township Community Day, the Chester City Community Fair and Block Party, and Urban Expression Dressing for Success. At Dressing for Success, John was interviewed by WYBE-TV, and the segment will air at Lincoln and Cheyney Universities.


    "One of the doors we knocked on in Sadsbury Township belonged to a very nice woman who was a long-time Republican," Linder said. "She was cordial but rushed- she was watching Joe Biden's speech and did not want to miss it! She told me that both Barack Obama and I had her vote in November.

    "People are ready for a change at both the local and national levels. Polls alone cannot convey the enthusiasm for my candidacy. I am proud that my campaign connected with over 1,000 people this past week, and I plan to reach out to thousands more over the next ten weeks."

  • Praise from the Media Press

    "Professor Linder, who teaches social sciences at Delaware County Community College, is a sincere, intelligent fellow who has dined with Nancy Regan, Princess Diana and President George H.W. Bush. Sen. Pileggi might have more work cut out for him than he expected to keep his seat."

    Bill Lawrence, Editor

    The Media Press

  • Linder, Kirkland to Hold Press Conference on Recent Violence in Chester City

    Chester, PA – Area leaders are calling local officials and residents to action in the face of a recent rash of violence in the city. On Sunday, August 17th, State Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland (D-159) and State Senate Candidate John Linder will hold a press conference unveiling their new “Lights, Camera, Action” crime-fighting proposal.

    In the past week, six homicides have been reported in Chester City, bringing the total for 2008 to 16. According to a Daily Times editorial, Chester has the highest homicide rate among municipalities of 25,000 to 50,000 people. These statistics and the human suffering they represent are the impetus for Kirkland and Linder’s new proposal. “More can be done, and more must be done,” said Rep. Kirkland. “The city needs a plan of action.”

    The conference will be held at 4pm on Sunday at 7th and Pusey St. near Woodrow, the site of Saturday night’s double homicide that claimed the lives of Chester residents Natalie McCready and Richard Salters. Family members of recent victims will be in attendance; residents are encouraged to come.

  • John Linder's Statement on the tragic loss of AR Democratic Party Chairman Bill Gwatney

    "I would like to extend my condolences to the family, friends and coworkers
    on the loss of Chairman Bill Gwatney. My prayers are with them during this
    tragic time."

  • *LETTER TO THE EDITOR* Let's move ahead on health reform

    Published July 29th in the Daily Times

    I am writing in response to Senator Dominic Pileggi’s letter on the status of health care reform in Pennsylvania that was published in this paper on July 22. He is correct in writing that any consideration of health-care legislation has been delayed until the fall. However, it is insincere to say that it was Governor Rendell who ‘decided to delay consideration of health care legislation until the fall’. As Majority Leader, Senator Pileggi decides which measures are considered on the Senate floor and when they will be considered.

    Four months ago, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care, a series of health care measures that would provide over 270,000 uninsured Pennsylvanians with access to basic care and assist small businesses that are doing the right thing by providing coverage for their employees. Since that time, it has been Senator Pileggi, not Governor Rendell, who has decided to delay consideration of these much-needed health care reforms.

    Governor Rendell did take health care reform off the budget negotiations’ table this year because the issue of covering uninsured Pennsylvanians was too controversial for Senator Pileggi and the Republican-controlled Senate. Frankly, providing all Pennsylvanians with access to even fraction of the care that our state legislators enjoy should not be a matter of debate. But Senator Pileggi’s dilemma is whether to do what is right for the citizens of Pennsylvania or do what is best for the special interest groups that fill his campaign coffers. Unfortunately, the latter is winning out.

    During the 2003 budget negotiations that Senator Pileggi referenced in his letter, the Senate Republicans, who at the time didn’t see the point in investing in early childhood education, were playing games with our children. Now Senator Pileggi is playing games with the uninsured in Pennsylvania. I intend to go to Harrisburg to work with Governor Rendell to see to it that these games stop. I will work hard to bring results and positive change to the people of Pennsylvania, and to see that all Pennsylvanians are given the access to health care they deserve.

    John Linder
    Democratic Candidate for the 9th Senatorial District
    www.linder08.com

  • John Linder and Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland to Hold Town Hall Meeting in Parkside

    Chester – On Saturday August 9th at 9am, 9th District Democratic State Senate Candidate John Linder and Representative Thaddeus Kirkland (D-159) will take questions from the public at a town hall in Parkside. Hosted by the Parkside Democratic Committee, the town hall is open to all residents. Republicans and Independents are encouraged to attend.

    “I’ve spent the last two months knocking on doors around the district, and have enjoyed meeting the community,” Linder said. “Bids for elected office ought to be about spending time with people, addressing their concerns, and giving them the chance to meet you face to face. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to do just that.”

    The Town Hall will be held at Parkside Borough Hall at 22 East Elbon street in Parkside. For more information, please contact the campaign at 610.874.1875 or organizer Scott Sidlow at 610.220.1088.

  • Dominic Pileggi Fails On Education

    (Chester) - On Wednesday, PA Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi led his fellow Republicans in a partisan vote against education for Pennsylvania’s children. In stark contrast to the recommendations of their own Costing-Out Report--which suggested that Pennsylvania’s schools were being shortchanged by 4.6 billion each year--Senate Republicans chopped 40 percent from Governor Ed Rendell’s proposed basic education funding for 2008-09.

    John Linder, the Democratic nominee running against Pileggi in the 9th Senatorial District, believes this is the wrong message to send to the families of Chester and Delaware Counties.

    “While I am greatly disappointed by my opponent’s failure to support education in our district, I’m afraid I am not surprised,” said John Linder, a professor at Delaware County Community College and Headmaster of Village Charter School. “As a lifetime educator and resident of Delaware County, I have encouraged him time and again to be more supportive of our schools. His inattentiveness is one of the main reasons I chose to run against him this year. I believe the families of District 9 deserve a Senator who will work with Ed Rendell to make sure our children have the tools they need to succeed.”

    The Senate vote cuts $118 million dollars earmarked for next year’s proposed education budget. Particularly affected is the Oxford Area School District which saw three quarters of a million dollars slashed by Pileggi. Property taxes in the area will need to increase by 3% to cover the revenue lost.

    “Between energy and health care costs, our residents are already fighting unprecedented financial burdens. To make them pay more for a public education is a policy failure. The Governor and the House want to support public education. I will work hard to see that the Senate supports it as well,” said John Linder.

  • JOHN LINDER LAUNCHES GENERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN WITH A “CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF AND OFFICE OPENING CELEBRATION”

    *For planning and public notification purposes only*

    Chester, Pa. - John Linder, the Democratic nominee for the 9th Senatorial District, will be launching his general election campaign on Saturday, June 28th with a “Campaign Kickoff and Office Opening Celebration,” at his new Chester Office from 2 to 5pm.

    John has extended invitations to elected officials throughout the region, as well as Democratic organizations in Chester and Delaware Counties. Residents are encouraged to attend to meet John and his campaign staff.

    “I am honored to be the Democratic nominee for District 9, and am ready to work hard for change in 2008. I believe that a new course needs to be set, not only at the national level, but at the local level as well. The people of Chester and Delaware Counties deserve a Senator who will work with Governor Rendell for reforms that will bring health insurance to more Pennsylvanians, and save them hard-earned dollars on their energy bills. They deserve a government that will make investments in education and job creation. As a state Senator, I will work hard to get the results Pennsylvania needs for real change,” said John Linder.

    John Linder Campaign Kick-Off and Office Opening Celebration

    June, 28, 2008.

    2-5pm: John Linder Chester Campaign Office 29 E. 5th Street, Chester

    John Linder is a lifetime resident of Chester, an educator and community activist. He has been a professor at Delaware County Community College for twenty years, and is the Headmaster of the Village Charter School.



Paid for by the Friends of John Linder