‘Get people out to vote’: Wolf rallies Luzerne County Democrats

PLAINS TWP. — The Luzerne County Democratic Committee hosted Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday, and he hammered home the point that his party brethren must do more this election season than ever before.

“This year, we cannot afford to sit it out,” Wolf said during his brief stop at The Woodlands Inn. “We’ve got to get people out to vote.”

Wolf said it was important the Democratic Party’s principles remained rooted in things like values and social justice because “these things actually work.” However, he joked “values” might not be a good word for what happens in Washington, D.C.

Before heading back out on the road, the governor hit on the party’s main talking points, such as the importance of labor unions and access to education. He also urged Democrats to “take our democracy back” from the current GOP majority in the federal government.

Wolf was not the only speaker at the event, which was a veritable who’s who of the local Democratic Party. Other speakers included Congressman Matt Cartwright, state Senator John Yudichak, state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, state Rep. Gerald Mullery, and the chair of the county’s Democratic Party, John Pekarovsky.

All the speakers mentioned in one way or another the importance of the party doing the groundwork necessary to secure more voters in the upcoming November general election. They made frequent references to the supposed “Blue Wave,” a theorized deluge of Democratic voters in the election largely in response to the election of President Donald Trump.

“The eyes of America are on you,” Cartwright, D-Moosic, told committee members in a packed ballroom. “It’s time to show that Luzerne County is a Democratic county.”

In a firebrand speech by Pashinski — after which Yudichak jokingly called him “the Reverend Eddie Day” — the lawmaker claimed the GOP has been trying to reverse headway made by Democratic politicians over the years, including benefits such as Social Security and the Affordable Care Act.

“You gotta make sure you vote,” Pashinski shouted. “Why are you voting? You’re voting to save your own life!”

Luzerne County Democratic chairman John Pekarovsky greets Gov. Tom Wolf after introducing him to the Luzerne County Democratic Committee at a rally at The Woodlands Inn in Plains Township on Tuesday.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/web1_Luz-Co-Dem-Rally-1-1.jpgLuzerne County Democratic chairman John Pekarovsky greets Gov. Tom Wolf after introducing him to the Luzerne County Democratic Committee at a rally at The Woodlands Inn in Plains Township on Tuesday. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader

State Sen. John Yudichak, D-Plymouth Township, right, introduces state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, during the Luzerne County Democratic Committee rally on Tuesday.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/web1_Luz-Co-Dem-Rally-4-1.jpgState Sen. John Yudichak, D-Plymouth Township, right, introduces state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, during the Luzerne County Democratic Committee rally on Tuesday. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic, fired up the crowd at the Luzerne County Democratic Committee rally Tuesday. Gov. Tom Wolf also spoke.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/web1_Luz-Co-Dem-Rally-5-1.jpgU.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic, fired up the crowd at the Luzerne County Democratic Committee rally Tuesday. Gov. Tom Wolf also spoke. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader

Gov. Tom Wolf made an appearance at the Luzerne County Democratic Committee rally at The Woodlands Inn on Tuesday. Wolf urged local Democratic officials to work hard to get out the vote this fall.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/web1_Luz-Co-Dem-Rally-2-1.jpgGov. Tom Wolf made an appearance at the Luzerne County Democratic Committee rally at The Woodlands Inn on Tuesday. Wolf urged local Democratic officials to work hard to get out the vote this fall. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader