Professor of broadcast journalism and digital media at PennWest Edinboro, Jim Wertz has been leading the Erie Dems since 2018.  He was reelected unanimously in 2022.  But now he's stepping down from that position, because he's considering a run for PA Senate in the 49th District, the seat currently held by republican Dan Laughlin.

If there's a legacy for his tenure, Wertz believes it's that he reengaged rural democrats by opening regional office in places like Union City and North East. "Everywhere we went, people greeted us with open arms and said it's been a long time since we've seen the democratic party, we're glad you're here," Wertz said. 

And he worked to draw in young democrats, encouraging and preparing many to run for public office. "I think having younger folks not only as a part of the committee but also involved in a way to run for public office is incredibly important," the outgoing party chair said.

Now Wertz is taking a slice of his own advice, and considering a challenge to two-term republican Senator Dan Laughlin, and he didn't mince words about why. "He has showed the people of Erie County that he doesn't always have their best interest. As someone said to me - "he's lost his way" - and I feel strongly, not just from a party perspective or a partisan perspective, but from a community perspective, that he needs to be held accountable," Wertz said.

Once political friends despite their different party affiliations, Dan Laughlin and Jim Wertz have been engaged in a drawn-out lawsuit over an opinion piece Wertz wrote for the Erie Reader in July of 2022 about lawmakers questioning 2020 election processes in PA, and the outcome of the presidential race.  Laughlin sued for defamation.  If he runs, Wertz said that feud will not be the reason. "As folks get to know me better, and the folks that do know me through my writing in the Erie Reader over the past 10 years, and through my work with the democratic party, know that I come at any opportunity with fervor with the best interest of this community in mind not my own personal gain."

Wertz expects to make a decision on whether or not to run by the end of the year. "We're still talking about this as a family, still talking about this with people who are supportive of me looking at these opportunities. Regardless of what my decision is at the end of the day I feel very strongly that Dan Laughlin needs a challenger in the 2024 election cycle," Wertz said. 

According to the bylaws of Erie Dems, a person can't be chair of the party if they're exploring other opportunities in the political sphere.  Erie County democrats will meet on Saturday to elect a new chair.

We asked Senator Dan Laughlin for a response to a possible challenge from Jim Wertz.  He declined to comment on that until Wertz makes an official decision on his candidacy.  The Pennsylvania primary is scheduled for late April 2024. Laughlin will be seeking his third term in the Senate.