Marseglia: Webb is a Democrat

Dozens of supporters crowded the Penndel Fire Company Saturday night to support Democratic Candidate Ritchie Webb Sr.  for State Represenative in 142nd district.

Bucks County Commissioner Diane Marseglia attended  the campaign event.

Marseglia addressed the issue of Webb running as a Democrat.

“Mr Webb is a Democrat. Always knew he was a Democrat in his heart,” said Marseglia.

She explained why she’s endorsing Webb in his campaign to represent the redistricted 142nd, which will cover Langhorne, Lower Southampton, Upper Southampton and part of Levittown.

“I came  to the Neshaminy School Board last year about the Sanctuary Room and the  need to take care of our teenagers who are struggling and he (Webb) understood and worked with me on  it with me.” she said.

The Sanctuary room is a program offered to the NHS students dealing with social and or  emotional  challenges.  The Bucks County Commissioners helped to secure funding for the program  to bring it back for students, according to the county website last year.

Marseglia said Webb helped to meet with county officials to develop a partnership for a way to help the kids and develop the Sanctuary Room without complete reliance on Neshaminy Taxpayers.

“We were able to work together on something important  for both us and taxpayers, and more importantly the students” she said.

Marseglia, the top female Democrat at the county level, has been criticized for her helping to recruit Webb and endorsing his candidacy as  Democrat.

Webb has been attacked for his choice to run as a Democrat by supporters of his opponent attorney Gina Kiley, who lives in Middletown. Webb has said he’s not a beholden to party, but to the constituents of the district.

Webb has been called “a wolf in Democrat’s clothing” in  an op-ed run penned by Suzi Drake, a member of the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers Union (NFT), in March.

Webb said  Saturday night after the campaign event: “I think I’m a moderate and when people check my voting record I’ve always been a moderate and if you checked my voting record on the school  board there have been times I’ve sided with a democrat against Republicans. ”

Webb drew a picture of contrast between his experience in local government and as a business owner  with his primary opponent  Kiley

“I’ve been responsible for putting together big budgets while serving as Neshaminy School Board President and that’s something that comes with experience, he said.

“No disrespect to my opponent, but she doesn’t have that experience to offer voters,” he said

Webb said depicting him some kind of of Tea Party candidate is factually incorrect. “I vote on issues not based on party politics,” he said.