James Myers of Norristown Patch writes:

Democrats and their supporters braved the bitter cold and biting winds this morning to gather on the steps of the Montgomery County Courthouse and announce the party’s ticket for coming county elections.

Topping the list of hopefuls are Josh Shapiro, state Representative for the 153rd District, and Leslie Richards, Whitemarsh Township Supervisor, both running for spots as Montgomery County Commissioner.

See our video highlights from today’s press conference.

Read the full story here

Keith Phucas of The Times Herald writes:

COURTHOUSE — State Rep. Josh Shapiro and Whitemarsh Supervisor Leslie Richards officially kicked off their 2011 campaign Monday on the steps of the Montgomery County Court House.

The Montgomery County Democratic Committee endorsed in February Shapiro and Richards, who are pitted against commissioners candidates Republican Bruce L. Castor Jr. and Jenny Brown.

Following the rally, the candidates filed petitions with more than 2,600 signatures, more than five times the number required to qualify them for May primary ballot. Read the rest of this entry »

Margaret Gibbons of The Intellegencer writes:

Montco Dems launched their ‘historic journey’ to take back the courthouse.

More than 75 Montgomery County Democrats on Monday stood shoulder to shoulder on the steps of the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown to begin what county Democratic Chairman Marcel L. Groen described as a “historic journey.”

The journey will end in January when the party’s two endorsed commissioner candidates, state Rep. Josh Shapiro of Abington and Whitemarsh Supervisor Leslie Richards, are sworn into office and take control of county government, predicted Groen at the kickoff rally for his party’s county candidates.

Democrats made unprecedented political inroads four years ago when they captured five of the nine row office positions (elected department heads) but they have never held two seats on the three-member board of commissioners. Read the rest of this entry »