A Letter From The Mayor Of Milford October 8, 2021October 7, 2021 But first . . . Reagan’s deputy solicitor general, who was also Bush 41’s deputy attorney general, argues: The Supreme Court Has Gone Off the Rails. Which is why I argue we should Depoliticize the Court. What red-blooded patriot could be against that? Check out Andrew Yang’s Forward. It’s filled with good ideas, but the most fundamental would reform the primary elections so moderates can run and win, depolarizing our badly divided country: Mail everyone a ballot, so it’s not just the most passionately strident on each side who vote. Institute “open” primaries, where people can rank their first five choices regardless of party affiliation. The white supremacist or Holocaust denier might still get 30% of the votes, but that would no longer be enough to win. And now . . . Dear friends, I’m writing to you and others, both near and far, with an update on my campaign for reelection as Milford’s Mayor. While it is a race for the mayor of a small municipality in Northeast Pennsylvania, the race has broader implications for our Congressional seat, which is one of the top targets for the Republican National Committee. The Pennsylvania 8th district went for Trump by 19 points in 2020 and 26 points in 2016. It is one of only seven in the country that went for Trump while electing a Democrat to the U.S. House. That Democrat, Matt Cartwright, is part of the U.S. House Democratic leadership team and we must win races like mine to build our organization and strength in each municipality to reelect him in 2022. My mayoral opponent comes from an old local family, her husband is a well-known local veteran, and they both are connected to ultra-conservative extremists. One of them is Teddy Daniels, who is the Republican candidate for Congress running against Matt Cartwright. Take a look at Daniels’ new TV ad and you’ll get a sense of what we’re up against. Daniels participated in the January 6 rally to overthrow the election results. A few days ago, he mocked the Capitol police officers who were injured, saying they “weren’t real cops,” criticizing them for getting emotional when describing that day and their injuries at a Congressional hearing. Last spring, Daniels interviewed my mayoral opponent, Lisa Emery, which you can see in this clip. They attack my “Mexican husband” (Xavier is a native-born American citizen, from Puerto Rico) and my flag display practices. I’m not kidding, they claimed I was flying a Mexican flag when, in fact, it was a flag of Ireland we had put up for St. Patrick’s Day! Here’s a Washington Post video from last year’s presidential race, that includes interview footage with both Lisa Emery, my opponent, and me. This weekend, Teddy Daniels, Steve Bannon and other ultra-right figures on the circuit are featured speakers at the Rod of Iron Freedom Festival, a local annual showcase for extremists, insurrectionists and others. I have no doubt Lisa Emery will be there campaigning. If there were debates, or a candidate forum or a daily newspaper covering the campaign, voters in Milford would be better informed about their choice. Unfortunately, my opponent refuses to participate. Our local League of Women Voters chapter sent out a candidate questionnaire and invited us both to participate in a forum on the mayor’s race they would sponsor. She did not even respond. That makes it even more important that I have the resources necessary for mailings, ads, videos and an effective election day turnout effort. This isn’t just about my reelection, it is about building the longer-term organizational infrastructure necessary to elect candidates in our region who believe in science, fair elections and aren’t driven by QAnon, conspiracy theories or other extreme ideologies. I’ve got a great record and enjoy a lot of support, including from rational Republicans–a lot of them–who reject what their party has become. (If you have Amazon Prime, there is a documentary now streaming, My Friend the Mayor, about my 2017 campaign, made by Dutch journalist Max Westerman). I am cautiously optimistic but realize we have a lot of work to do. Whatever you are able to do to help, or donate will be very much appreciated. If you live in Milford Borough, register to vote, update your registration and/or request a mail-in or absentee ballot. If you live in or near Milford, letters to the editor of the Pike County Dispatch and Pike County Courier are helpful. If you are able to donate, you can do so at this Act Blue link or by mailing a non-corporate check to “Sean Strub Campaign Committee”, P.O. Box 1233, Milford PA 18337. We’re carrying on the good fight here in Milford and very much appreciate your support! Sean Strub Have a great weekend!