Looks like Valerie Arkoosh will get the chance to serve in government office after all.
The Democratic health care activist has been selected to fill the open Montgomery County Commissioner seat vacated by Leslie Richards, who was chosen as Gov. Tom Wolf’s transportation secretary.
Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro announced the selection Wednesday on Twitter, expressing his excitement to have her on the board and announcing his intent to run for re-election with her.
Arkoosh’s first shot at elected office came last year, when she waged an unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic nomination for the 13th congressional seat. Rep. Brendan Boyle, who beat out Arkoosh and two other candidates for the nomination, now holds the seat.
Arkoosh, however, may have to contend with three other Democrats as former county commissioners Joseph M. Hoeffel III and Ruth Damsker and former county prosecutor David Keightly have all expressed interest in the seat.
Along with Shapiro, Arkoosh will run for re-election to the commissioner seat in November. Their fellow commissioner, Republican Bruce L. Castor Jr., announced earlier this month that he will not run again, opting instead to pursue the county’s District Attorney seat.
Two Republicans have already jump started their campaigns for the commissioner seats. Former Montgomery County Commissioner Thomas Ellis announced last week that he seeks the party’s endorsement. On Monday, West Norriton Commissioner Stephen Tolbert announced his intent to run.
State Reps. Kate Harper and Tom Murt, who were thought to be considering campaigns, have both declined to run.
Loading ...
8 Responses
Thanks, UD, can’t tell the players without a program, I guess. Really surprised to see Arkoosh attacked from the left for a county commissioners race. But give it time, the Repubs will be piling on, too.
MontcoPA Dem – you have that backwards. “Observer” is a hard-left liberal democrat.
Links to all of her campaign finance reports are right here, Observer: http://ballotpedia.org/Valerie_Arkoosh
Show me any proof whatsoever that “She was backed by cash from Big Pharma, the Health Insurers, and every doctor’s group in the country.” Montco Repubs just love the lying smear.
As Josh’s Health Advisor,” she signed of on the disastrous Privatization of the county nursing home – which included a giveaway of a hundred acres of open space for pennies on the dollar – just so that Joshie-boy could pretend to balance a single year’s budget. She was backed by cash from Big Pharma, the Health Insurers, and every doctor’s group in the country. NO progressive organization backed her – cuz she has never done anything for the little guy. She’s just another opportunistic DINO – which is why Josh likes her.
You have that right.
Though she was selected…wouldn’t Arkoosh have to run in the Democratic Primary this May? She doesn’t just get to go the general election in November. Do I have that right?
Go Val! Can’t wait to have her as our Commissioner!
Didn’t she come in 3rd in the Montco portion of PA-13?