About
Chester County Democratic Committee
Freedom, Fairness, and Opportunity for all Americans, regardless of what they believe, who they are, and where they came from are the founding principles of the Chester County, Pennsylvania Democratic Committee. We strive to share these ideals within our neighborhoods, communities, county and country. We work to elect candidates who believe in these as well.
Learn More about the Democrats who are fighting for our values
Democratic representation
Zones
Chester County’s Democratic Party is broken into 20 zones. Get involved locally. Find your group.
Elected Officials
Meet the Democrats who represent you in Chester County, Harrisburg, and Washington.
State Committee Members
Elected official who help decide the Democratic platform and endorse federal and state candidates.
CCDC OFFICERS
Leadership
CCDC officers are selected by the Chester County Democratic Committee following the election of Committeepersons at the primary election of gubernatorial election years (most recently May 2018). Any vacancies are filled by the CCDC Executive Committee. The 5 officers meet regularly as the party’s Executive Board.
Tap or click the photo or name for contact information.
CCDC OFFICERS
Leadership
CCDC officers are selected by the Chester County Democratic Committee following the election of Committeepersons at the primary election of gubernatorial election years (most recently May 2018). Any vacancies are filled by the CCDC Executive Committee. The 5 officers meet regularly as the party’s Executive Board.
Charlotte Valyo
ChairChair Charlotte Valyo was elected on June 9, 2021. A resident of Schuylkill Township, she was previously chair of zone 11, the Northern Chester County Democratic Committee, which includes Schuylkill and East Pikeland Townships and Spring CIty. She was Chair of the Zone Leader Caucus from 2019 until her election as CCDC Chair.
Charlotte Valyo
Chair Charlotte Valyo was elected on June 9, 2021. A resident of Schuylkill Township, she was previously chair of zone 11, the Northern Chester County Democratic Committee, which includes Schuylkill and East Pikeland Townships and Spring CIty. She was Chair of the Zone Leader Caucus from 2019 until her election as CCDC Chair.
Jerry Pyne
Vice ChairVice Chair Jerry Pyne, of East Whiteland Township, is a retired IT professional with experience in multiple startups and industry leaders like IBM. He is also retired from the Nation Guard. He is currently serving as a Trustee for a church. Jerry has served as a volunteer, assistant zone leader, zone leader, and CCDC System Administrator.
Jerry Pyne
Vice Chair Jerry Pyne, of East Whiteland Township, is a retired IT professional with experience in multiple startups and industry leaders like IBM. He is also retired from the Nation Guard. He is currently serving as a Trustee for a church. Jerry has served as a volunteer, assistant zone leader, zone leader, and CCDC System Administrator.
Alex Teplyakov
SecretarySecretary Alex Teplyakov, Secretary since 2020, is currently Chief of Staff for PA State Rep. Joe Ciresi in Spring City, and previously worked for State Reps Greg Vitali and Mark Painter. He is passionate about public transportation options, and coaches high school mock trial in his spare time. Alex lives in Phoenixville.
Alex Teplyakov
Secretary Alex Teplyakov, Secretary since 2020, is currently Chief of Staff for PA State Rep. Joe Ciresi in Spring City, and previously worked for State Reps Greg Vitali and Mark Painter. He is passionate about public transportation options, and coaches high school mock trial in his spare time. Alex lives in Phoenixville.
Elva Bankins Baxter
CCDC TreasurerCCDC Treasurer Elva Bankins Baxter, a 30-year resident of Tredyffrin Township, is actively engaged in get-out-the-vote efforts in Chester County. She is a business owner, executive coach, and leadership consultant. A former PA Democratic State Committee member, she served on several boards, including the Chester County Women's Commission and Benchmark Federal Credit union.
Elva Bankins Baxter
CCDC Treasurer Elva Bankins Baxter, a 30-year resident of Tredyffrin Township, is actively engaged in get-out-the-vote efforts in Chester County. She is a business owner, executive coach, and leadership consultant. A former PA Democratic State Committee member, she served on several boards, including the Chester County Women's Commission and Benchmark Federal Credit union.
Theresa Soja
Chair of the Zone Leader CaucusTheresa Soja was elected Chair of the Zone Leader Caucus on June 9, 2021. A resident of West Bradford township and zone leader for the Bradford Democrats (Zone 7), Theresa has been a committee person since 2017. She is a graduate of West Chester University. Theresa believes Chester County is a wonderful place to live, filled with diverse people, and would like to continue our efforts to make our party a reflection of all ...Read More
Theresa Soja
Theresa Soja was elected Chair of the Zone Leader Caucus on June 9, 2021. A resident of West Bradford township and zone leader for the Bradford Democrats (Zone 7), Theresa has been a committee person since 2017. She is a graduate of West Chester University. Theresa believes Chester County is a wonderful place to live, filled with diverse people, and would like to continue our efforts to make our party a reflection of all those voices.
Charlotte Valyo
Chair Charlotte Valyo was elected on June 9, 2021. A resident of Schuylkill Township, she was previously chair of zone 11, the Northern Chester County Democratic Committee, which includes Schuylkill and East Pikeland Townships and Spring CIty. She was Chair of the Zone Leader Caucus from 2019 until her election as CCDC Chair.
Jerry Pyne
Vice Chair Jerry Pyne, of East Whiteland Township, is a retired IT professional with experience in multiple startups and industry leaders like IBM. He is also retired from the Nation Guard. He is currently serving as a Trustee for a church. Jerry has served as a volunteer, assistant zone leader, zone leader, and CCDC System Administrator.
Alex Teplyakov
Secretary Alex Teplyakov, Secretary since 2020, is currently Chief of Staff for PA State Rep. Joe Ciresi in Spring City, and previously worked for State Reps Greg Vitali and Mark Painter. He is passionate about public transportation options, and coaches high school mock trial in his spare time. Alex lives in Phoenixville.
Elva Bankins Baxter
CCDC Treasurer Elva Bankins Baxter, a 30-year resident of Tredyffrin Township, is actively engaged in get-out-the-vote efforts in Chester County. She is a business owner, executive coach, and leadership consultant. A former PA Democratic State Committee member, she served on several boards, including the Chester County Women's Commission and Benchmark Federal Credit union.
Theresa Soja
Theresa Soja was elected Chair of the Zone Leader Caucus on June 9, 2021. A resident of West Bradford township and zone leader for the Bradford Democrats (Zone 7), Theresa has been a committee person since 2017. She is a graduate of West Chester University. Theresa believes Chester County is a wonderful place to live, filled with diverse people, and would like to continue our efforts to make our party a reflection of all those voices.
District Leaders
One District Leader is named for each of the PA House of Representatives districts in Chester County.
District 13: Russ Phifer
District 26: Kevin Burk
District 74: OPEN
District 155: Alexa Manning
District 156: Nancy Lorback
District 157: Donna Shipman
District 158: Kevin Houghton
District 160: Wes Jamison
District 167: Susan Drummond
Committee Chairs
Audit Committee: Mary McCracken
Bylaws Committee: Elizabeth Swain
Candidate Recruitment and Development Committee: Russ Phifer
Communications Committee: Bill Phifer
Data Analysis: Gretchen H. Grant
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee: Carrie Stare
Labor Advisory Board: John Hellmann
Planning Committee: David Rhoads
Property Management: Jim Bannan
Strategic Planning: Ashley Gagné and J Wesley Jamison
Voter Outreach:Â Alan Yockey
English
Spanish
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Vietnamese
Japanese
Hindi
Haitian Creole
Russian