NEWS
The latest from Adams County Democratic Committee
Democratic Committee Forum Raises Funds for SCCAP
The Adams County Democratic Committee hosted a public forum on November 13 for an evening focused on the hunger and healthcare crisis in Adams County. The event raised $1,335 for South Central Community Action Program (SCCAP).
The forum featured two presentations by Carly Auchy, co-chair of the Adams County Food Policy Council and Monica Oss, CEO of OPEN MINDS, Gettysburg.
Auchy provided a data-based presentation on the rapid rise of food insecurity across the region
“Food insecurity in Adams County has grown by 53 percent since 2021, and child food insecurity has increased by 60 percent.” Auchy said. “More than one-third of Adams County residents now experience some level of food insecurity.”
Auchy and Oss also described the severe effects of the recent federal shutdown and state budget impasse, which delayed SNAP benefits for the first time in history and disrupted food distribution networks statewide.
“Thousands of Adams County residents were suddenly left without assistance while food pantries simultaneously lost access to state supply programs,” she said.
Oss presented an overview of large-scale federal funding reductions and policy changes emerging from the new administration. The most significant developments she noted were reductions in premium subsidies in the healthcare exchange, known as Penni; an estimated $1 trillion reduction in Medicaid funding over next 10 years, as well as imposing new work requirements, and narrowing eligibility.
“[Cuts to] Medicare and Medicaid will increase the number of uninsured residents and could shift financial responsibility for safety-net services onto states and local communities and potentially strain local providers and nonprofits,” said Oss.
ACDC chair Marcia Wilson stated the purpose of the forum was not only to inform but to mobilize support for community partners working on the front lines. Donations collected during the forum directly support SCCAP’s mission to reduce poverty and expand food access across Adams County.
ACDC Chair responds to Oct. 18 article in the Gettysburg Times
I must respond to the front-page article in the Saturday, October 18th edition of the Gettysburg Times. It contains several inaccuracies regarding election processes and the role and actions of local Democrats and Adams County Democratic Committee in local elections.
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Gettysburg Mayor Rita Frealing is quoted as saying that she received no support from the Democratic Party in her campaigns in 2021 and 2025.
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Adams County Democratic Committee does not provide any direct support nor make endorsement of candidates in municipal elections. We provide no financial support to any candidate.
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We provide guidance and training sessions for all interested candidates. We provide space for candidates to display their campaign materials, and all Democratic candidates in the Primary Election are encouraged to take advantage of that offer.
After the Primary Election, only materials from the duly-nominated candidate remain on display.We provide candidates with access to a potential pool of volunteers and donors. Candidates are invited to attend a committee meeting to introduce themselves and their campaign and ask for volunteers and donors.
Members of the committee, as all Democratic voters, are free to support their candidateof choice in Primary Elections – the Committee does not support one over another.
We offer candidates access to the Democratic proprietary voter database for a nominal fee. We circulate nominating petitions for candidates and provide free notary service, as well as offering to review all petition forms to assure compliance with election laws. We hold campaign events and invite people to speak. Ms. Frealing received all of the above opportunities and took advantage of some during both the 2021 and 2025 campaigns.
In 2021, she was elected in the Democratic Primary Election, whereupon the materials for other candidates for mayor were removed from our Headquarters, and she appeared on our election materials as the Democratic candidate in the General Election.​ This led to several individual members of the Committee supporting her campaign through door-to-door canvassing and donations. Even her Primary Election opponent, Chad-Alan Carr, conceded the election promptly and supported her campaign through the General Election.
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In 2025, she did not win the Primary Election, and so her materials were removed from our Headquarters, while the materials of the duly-nominated Democratic candidate for mayor, Chad-Alan Carr, remain and he appears on our election materials as the Democratic candidate for the General Election.
Ms. Frealing was treated no differently than any other candidate. If individual committee members chose not to support her candidacy in 2025, that is an individual decision and the privilege of all Democratic voters, whether they are members of the Committee or not.
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The other inaccuracy in the article is regarding “cross-filing.” According to Pennsylvania election laws, only candidates for school board or judicial offices are permitted to “cross-file,” meaning they obtain signatures from voters of both Democratic and Republican parties prior to the Primary Election and then appear on the ballot of both parties.​ There is no option for candidates for any other office, including mayor, to “cross-file.” Prior to the Primary Election, Ms. Frealing sent letters to Republicans in the Borough of Gettysburg asking them to write in her name on their Primary ballot. Since there was no Republican candidate for mayor on the ballot, she got enough votes to be shown as the Republican candidate in the upcoming General Election.
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I hope this helps to clarify some admittedly confusing matters for voters.
Marcia Wilson, Chair
Adams County Democratic
ACDC Statement on Sheriff James Muller
Adams County Democratic Committee is appalled by the shocking image posted on social media by Adams County Sheriff James Muller on Saturday, June 14. The image featured an apparently bloodied vehicle with the implication that it had plowed through a group of peaceful citizens demonstrating their First Amendment right of assembly. The post appears to condone, and thereby, incite politically motivated violence.
Sheriff Muller's action violates his duties, as listed on the Adams County Sheriff’s Office website: “To provide first-class professional, dignified, and courteous service to the citizens of the county. [to] serve with integrity and distinction and [a duty to] uphold the trust of the public we serve.”
Sheriff Muller’s action proves he no longer represents the people who voted for him and is not a role model for his department. He has shown disrespect for the citizens of Adams County.
We are disappointed in the public statement from two of the Adams County Commissioners. The statement does not condemn the actions of the sheriff nor provide any repercussions for those actions.
The Adams County Democratic Committee demands that Sheriff Muller immediately offer a public apology, not only to the citizens present on Saturday, June 14, but to every citizen who has ever participated in a rally to express opinions and beliefs.
We demand his immediate resignation. Sheriff Muller has forfeited his right to remain in office until the end of his term.
If Sheriff Muller refuses to resign, we demand the Adams County Commissioners and the Court of Common Pleas to explore all avenues to sanction Sheriff Muller and help quell the spread of this violent ideology within his department.
Recent graduate, Quaide Clark received a $500 scholarship from the Adams County Democratic Committee. An ACDC volunteer, Quaide will be studying at Union College in the Fall. Pictured here are (l-r) ACDC Community Outreach Co-ChairAngela Sontheimer, Quaide Clarke, ACDC Chair Marcia Wilson, and Meghan O'Brien, ACDC Community Outreach Committee Co-Chair.
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Large crowd attends "Supporting Our Immigrant Community" Forum
A large crowd attended ACDC's public forum on supporting our immigrant neighbors Friday evening at Headquarters.
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Carly Auchey, Gettysburg College Center for Public Service and Yaime Bautista.
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The pair discussed the current policy changes and societal pressures on the immigrant community and what we can do to help.
Here are a few tactics:
* Take 15 minutes a day to call your representatives. 5Calls.org is a great resource.
*Educate yourself on current policies and the many changes taking place.
*Encourage our friends to see legal sources to help with immigration problems.
*Donate to and attend local immigrant community events and organizations. Our support for these organizations is vital.
*Be loud and proud about your support. Wear t-shirts and buttons that support our immigrant neighbors.
*If you see something, say something.