Lebder era ends as Davis takes over as county Democratic chairman
For 45 years, Fred Lebder has led the Fayette County Democratic Committee with his sage advice to political newcomers and staunch support to those who have upheld the party’s values through the good times and the bad times.
On Thursday, he passed the leadership torch to his successor, attorney James T. Davis, who garnered not only Lebder’s support but that of the committee that had joined together at the Uniontown Knights of Columbus to choose a new chairman and vice-chairman.
The passage of the chairmanship was a bittersweet moment for Davis, who has long admired Lebder’s commitment to the county and Democratic Party.
“He’s an iconic figure,” said Davis. “I have been interested in the chairmanship in the past, but have always advised those that have approached me or during my conversations with Mr. Lebder about it, that as long as he wanted to hold the position, I would never challenge him.”
Party rules require the county committees to meet within 30 days of a primary election in a gubernatorial election year to elect a chairman.
Lebder, 93, of Uniontown announced earlier this year that he would not seek re-election.
“I’m pleased and very comfortable with Jimmy being the new chairman,” said Lebder as he greeted long-time friends and fellow Democrats.
Davis said that, although he has garnered the support of the local Democrats, he does not believe he should be seen as a replacement for the long-time party chairman.
“No one can fill Fred Lebder’s shoes,” he said. “Mr. Lebder has accomplished a lot in his long and prestigious career, and I know that I cannot replace him.
“He is blessed with a wonderful mind and political acumen that few possess.
“I may replace him in title, but, certainly, I don’t see myself doing the many things that he has accomplished.”
Davis was raised in a Democratic household, so it came as no surprise when he joined in the elation of the country as Massachusetts Sen. John F. Kennedy was elected president in 1960.
To Davis, it was the beginning of his involvement in the political arena and an extension of his love for his country and pride in being an American citizen.
“A lot of my relatives were staunch supporters of JFK, and my interest grew from there,” he said. “I feel very fortunate to be an American and very fortunate to live in this country.”
Over the years, Davis has represented Fayette County and the Democratic Party at various state and national conventions and aided local candidates seeking public office.
“I feel as though I do have some experience in the field,” he said. “However, I do not have the years and years of experience or the many political attributes of Fred Lebder.”
Davis said that during the coming months he will be urging the committee and county Democrats to support those candidates seeking election or re-election to state offices, including state Rep. Deberah Kula, D-North Union, who is seeking the 32nd District senatorial seat held by retiring state Sen. Richard A. Kasunic, D-Dunbar.
Kula is being challenged by Republican political newcomer Pat Stefano, a Dunbar businessman.
Perry Township Supervisor A.J. Boni garnered the Democratic nod in May in his quest to fill Kula’s seat in the state House of Representatives. He will square off against Republican candidate Ryan Warner of Perryopolis, who secured a spot on the November ballot through a write-in campaign. State Rep. Peter J. Daley, D-California, will face GOP nominee Bud Cook in the fall.
Other candidates, including state Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-South Union, and state Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, do not have opposition in their respective bids for re-election.
“We must vigorously support our Democrats in the fall,” he said. “We need to also get actively behind our gubernatorial candidate, Tom Wolf.”
His greatest challenge will be to stem the apathy that has been expressed by the county voters in recent elections.
“It is risky and dangerous not to vote,” said Davis. “President Franklin Roosevelt said it best, ‘Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves, and the only way they could do this is by not voting.’
“It was bothering Roosevelt more than 50 years ago, and it is continuing today.”
The remedy is to get the electorate more engaged in local issues, with registered voters encouraging their neighbors to register and vote, said Davis.
“We need to talk to our neighbors and friends about issues of the day and to get them out to vote and let them know if we do not vote we could become prey to a very minority group of people who would be making decisions for us,” he said. “I don’t want to see that happen.”
Part of the solution, too, is for all — whether a member of the Democratic Party or GOP — to end the dissension and begin a dialogue to solve the local, state and national problems.
“There is such a lack of discussion or crossing the aisle in Harrisburg or Washington, D.C., and we need to see that changed,” said Davis.
Lawmakers should be more ready to listen than to speak.
“Seems that everybody is talking and no one is listening, so it is very difficult to reach a consensus,” said Davis. “We need to listen more and talk less.”
The committee, meanwhile, elected Gloria Dillon and Pam Hudson as co-vice-chairwomen.
When the two women were nominated, the membership agreed to conduct a secret ballot with each garnering 45 votes.
Instead of a second ballot, the members agreed to amend the bylaws and permit the two to share the duties for the next four years.
Dillon and Hudson replace Rose Durbin, who has held the position for more than 40 years.
Davis, meanwhile, lauded the decision.
“Perhaps this is the first step to bringing the party back together and on the same page,” he said.