Local Dems rally around Pike candidate for state rep

By Marilyn Rosenthal
MILFORD — Since the 2016 election, Democratic women have been setting records in stepping up to run for office, whether for seats in Congress or in statehouses. Christa Caceres is part of that wave.
“I was completely devastated on Nov. 9, 2016, the morning after the election," said Caceres at a reception held Sunday at Failtes Irish Pub and Steakhouse in Dingmans Ferry. "I was heartbroken to think what would happen Muslims, African Americans, and other minorities. There is no greater indication of how important it is to vote than what happened in the last election.”
Pike County Democrats are rallying around Caceres, who also lives in Pike, in Lehman township. The reception to support Caceres was sponsored by Amy Ferris, Ronald Short, Reneé Edwards-Hoover, Helen Gassman, Theresa Laino, and Sean Strub.
Caceres is running for a seat in the 189th District of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, which has morphed into a huge area because of gerrymandering. The district encompasses 10 towns in both Pike and Monroe counties.
She's running in the primary against Adam Rodriguez, a product designer from Middle Smithfield township in Monroe County and another newcomer to politics feeding the Democratic wave. The winner will run against the incumbent, Republican Rosemary Brown, in the fall. Brown won the seat from Democrat John Siptroth in another wave — a Republican wave — in 2010.
Caceres is a formidable candidate. She is energetic, smart, and determined to bring the democratic ideals to the district. She has a B.A. in Jurisprudence and has been taking courses in law and public policy.
She is endorsed by The Delaware Valley Democratic Club, The Pike County Democratic Committee, Emily’s List, Planned Parenthood, and Moms Demand Action.
Many leading Democrats and other kindred spirits from Pike County were at the reception to support Caceres. Jay Tucker, chair of the Pike County Democrats, and Sean Strub, the mayor of Milford, offered words of support.
The Bipartisan Friends of Christa Caceres was also there to support the candidate.
“My job is to advance your agenda, to make sure your voice is heard," said Caceres. "My mortgage bill is your mortgage bill, my taxes are your taxes.”
She said her other priorities are improving preschool and elementary education, opposing hydrofracking, and increasing the state minimum wage from its current rate of $7.25 per hour.
She clearly won the support of the audience and is now determined to visit every township in the humongous 189th — and she probably will.
There will be a phone bank for volunteers to call on behalf of Caceres on May 6 and also on May 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Patisserie, 403 Broad St. Milford.
For more information visit christaforpa189.com.