Prominent local Democratic Party officials and loyal supporters gathered in Greencastle on June 8th to raise campaign funds and promote candidates for the upcoming election cycle. The event offered a catered brunch hosted by Blue Heron Events. Two Democratic candidates were highlighted, each running for a separate Pennsylvania office in the upcoming November 2024 general election.
Cameron Schroy was the local candidate feted, a Franklin County native who lives in Greencastle. Schroy is running for the 33rd District State Senate seat. Malcom Kenyatta was the second candidate featured. Kenyatta is a Philadelphia resident and current State Representative, and he seeks the Pennsylvania Auditor General office.
The late-morning event started with Franklin County Democratic officials welcoming a supportive crowd. The festive room was decorated in patriotic colors with traditional party symbols. Democratic faithful gathered at red, white, and blue-clothed communal tables and practiced political fellowship by discussing election strategy while enjoying brunch.
Franklin County Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski and Democratic leader John Patterson were present, among other progressive Franklin County party officials and organizers. Cameron Schroy greeted guests not only as supporters, but many as long-time friends. One attendee said Schroy was active in Franklin County Democratic politics from an early age, and she complimented the candidate’s firm grasp of political issues important to area voters.
Schroy was introduced first and thanked the fundraising committee and the event’s sponsors. “We’re so grateful for your support,” he said.
Candidate Schroy then launched a campaign speech, explaining the birth of his candidacy and also policy differences between he and his opponent, incumbent State Senator Doug Mastriano. “You deserve better in Harrisburg,” Schroy said. “As a civics teacher who talks about why democracy is important, why engagement is important, I could not stand on the sidelines.”
Schroy also showed confidence in the task ahead, acknowledging the 33rd district leans toward conservative registered voters. But he noted a recent 17% increase in the local share of Democratic vote tallies and promised that upward trend would continue. “We need to elect Democrats up and down the ballot”, Schroy said, “We have to do the work.”
Schroy thanked the attendees’ commitment and energized his base with a positive outlook, pointing out other areas in the country where Democrats won races in traditional Republican districts. “We win when we decide we need to win.” Pennsylvania Democrats need to flip three Republican seats to regain control of the State Senate.
As a teacher, Schroy stressed his education policies as a top priority. “We need to fully fund our public schools. Every dollar we invest in education today pays dividends in the long term.” Schroy believes building coalitions across the aisle is an intelligent approach to achieve education reform and lasting results- “So we can have a common understanding of what it means to help our public schools.”
Schroy also stressed his desire to protect voting rights and diminish lobbying influences in Harrisburg. “We must strengthen and protect our democracy,” he said.
Then, Schroy introduced his fellow Democrat, saying: “We need an underdog to be the fiscal watchdog to fight for us, and that candidate is Malcolm Kenyatta.”
Democrat Malcolm Kenyatta is a Pennsylvania State Representative elected to serve PA’s 181st district in 2019. He won his race with a 95% vote share in a heavily weighted Democratic district. Kenyatta also launched a U.S. Senate bid in 2022 but lost in the primary to eventual Democratic election winner John Fetterman. Kenyatta won the April 2024 primary for the Auditor General’s Democratic nomination and will face Republican incumbent Tim DeFoor in November.
Kenyatta is a Philadelphia native who graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Public Communications and an M.A. from Drexel University in Strategic and Digital Communications. The Auditor General candidate has received ample praise and positive exposure in high Democratic circles during his political career. Kenyatta was chosen as one of 17 keynote speakers at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Kenyatta began by complimenting Schroy’s candidacy, saying “We depend on leaders like Cameron to step up. Every single community is worth fighting for. I’m happy you’re giving Franklin and Adams County a choice. Thank you for your leadership.”
Kenyatta talked about a reverse coattail effect- how local candidates running for office have a measurable positive impact on candidates running at all levels of a party’s state and national ticket.
Like Schroy, candidate Kenyatta also stressed the importance of protecting democracy at all levels. “Democracy requires hard work,” Kenyatta said, “It’s not on autopilot. I believe having a good idea, then fighting hard and innovating. That has made our democracy the envy of the world.”
Kenyatta stressed how governments shouldn’t infringe on individual medical rights, not only on abortion but also contraception. “If we don’t protect our democracy, then we won’t have access to these rights and our own choice.”
Kenyatta agrees with Schroy about the need for a high quality education system. “We have not adequately funded our schools, not only in urban areas, but rural areas. We’re not doing the investments we need to do.”
Kenyatta joked that many voters wondered aloud what an Auditor General does in Pennsylvania. He said the tasks of the Auditor’s position were to “make sure your tax dollars are tracked and spent wisely, and there is no theft or misappropriation of those funds.” Kenyatta said it made the most sense to track the largest share of those funds, which go toward education.
Current Pennsylvania Auditor General DeFoor has abolished the bureau of education audits during his administration, according to Kenyatta, and Defoor also wanted the Auditor’s office to monitor other issues instead, including elections.
“As your Auditor General I will rebuild the bureau of school audits,” Kenyatta said. “It is wrong and makes no sense to abandon tracking our biggest expenditure. We should investigate and report all spending. That is the most important job of an Auditor General.”
Kenyatta concluded his remarks by discussing his personal history, which included rising from poverty to build a successful life centered around community activism, public service, and education.
As the brunch concluded, Schroy and Kenyatta were presented with blue-ribboned baskets of local Franklin County gifts. The two candidates received warm applause and thanked the crowd for their generous support leading toward the November 5th contests.
Schroy plans other fundraising and campaign events, partnering with additional statewide Democratic candidates in the coming months. Schroy’s website highlights more about his candidacy: www.cameronforpa.com.
Kenyatta, like Schroy, hopes to unseat an incumbent Republican. The Democratic candidate has embarked on an ambitious statewide campaign and offers more detailed information about policy and positions on his website: www.malcolmkenyatta.com.
