Bucks Democratic Committee Backs Finello For Congress

Ivyland Borough Council member and Bucks County courts solicitor Christina Finello got a big boost in her bid for Congress over the weekend, picking up the endorsement of the Bucks County Democratic Committee.

At a meeting of the committee Saturday in Newtown, Finello got the backing of 69 percent of committee members. A candidate must earn at least 60 percent backing to receive the committee's endorsement.

Finello is one of three Democrats hoping to unseat incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, whose district includes Bucks and a sliver of Montgomery County. Also running are Pennsbury School Board member Debbie Wachspress and New Hope technology consultant Skylar Hurwitz.

"Friends, yesterday was a turning point in my campaign, as I gained the endorsement of the Bucks County Democratic Committee with nearly 70% of the votes on the first ballot," Finello said Sunday in a social media post. "It's time to focus on defeating Brian Fitzpatrick.

"I am so grateful to those who voted to endorse me, and will work hard to earn the votes of those who chose a different option," she wrote.

The vote comes a week after Finello similarly received the endorsement of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee.

She also was backed by Judi Reiss, the Bucks County prothonotary and a former supervisor in Lower Makefield Township, who dropped out of the race last month.

The committee endorsement does not guarantee a Democratic primary victory for Finello, but it provides valuable attention and a network of support in the three-way race. It's also a big momentum boost after a week in which Wachspress had announced a big fundraising lead over Finello and Hurwitz and received the endorsement of Scott Wallace, the 2018 Democratic nominee for the First Congressional District seat.