Democrats looks to keep momentum in Bucks County with key endorsement

The Fitzpatrick name has been a fixture in Bucks County politics for 20 years, but Democrats are hoping to change that.

Bucks County Democrats are looking to keep the momentum going following last week’s Election Day victories with a big endorsement in the county’s lone congressional race.

Lt. Gov. Austin Davis announced on Wednesday support for Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie in a bid to unseat four-term incumbent US House Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks). 

“Bob Harvie has spent his career delivering for the people of Bucks County — Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike,” Lt. Gov Austin Davis, said in a statement.

“With a bipartisan voting record of over 90%, Bob has proven he can bring people together to get things done. I know he’ll take that same common-sense approach to Washington to fight for working families, protect good-paying jobs, and make life more affordable for Pennsylvanians.”

Harvie, who taught social studies for more than 20 years at Bucks County Technical High School, has served as county commissioner for five years. He will have his work cut out for him trying to unseat Fitzpatrick, a moderate-Republican with major name recognition in the region. 

The Fitzpatrick family has been a fixture in Bucks County politics for the past 20 years. The congressman is the younger brother of Mike Fitzpatrick, who served in the US House from 2005 to 2007 and then from 2011 to 2017. 

However, last week’s election results and recent polling suggest that  the Philadelphia county is ripe for change. 

Democrats in Bucks County voted overwhelmingly to retain all three of Pennsylvania’s Democratic Supreme Court justices with 61% of the vote, swept all four Court of Common Pleas seats, took all five row offices and flipped the District Attorney’s office and Sheriff’s office blue.

Polling showed in September that President Donald Trump’s approval ratings are sinking in the swing county, with 53% of Bucks County residents viewing him unfavorably, while only 42% view him favorably. 

An October poll of likely voters in next year’s midterm elections from the Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling found that Harvie and Fitzpatrick were tied at 41% with 19% of voters remaining undecided. 

“I’m honored to have Lieutenant Governor Davis’s endorsement, because he understands that we need fighters who will deliver real results to drive down costs for Pennsylvania families,” Harvie said in a statement. 

“Austin and I share a belief that the government should work for everyone, not just the wealthy or well-connected. In Congress, I’ll continue to partner with the Shapiro-Davis Administration to deliver for Bucks and Montgomery Counties.”