Calling all 2026 Candidates Seeking CCDC Endorsement

Planning to run for legislative office in 2026?

For the 2026 election the Chester County Democratic Committee (CCDC) election endorsement will follow the process outlined below for all the legislative District offices. This process is being used due to the large number of incumbent candidates, which makes the endorsement process much easier. The Candidate Evaluation and Recommendation Committee (CERC) will not be interviewing candidates and will not be making recommendations for endorsement but will be providing information to the voting members of the County Committee of CCDC. In addition, CCDC will hold district forums for District races that will have contested primaries or in which non-incumbent candidates are running to allow CCDC voting members within those districts to hear from candidates and ask questions. CCDC intends to hold separate forums for the statewide candidates.

The process is simple and is as follows:
Candidates seeking CCDC endorsement will submit a letter of intent to run.
Non-incumbent candidates will submit a brief resume.
The candidates will receive an online questionnaire to be completed by December 20, 2025.
There are two versions of the questionnaire, one for incumbent candidates and one for non-incumbent candidates.
The purpose of the questionnaire is to share your accomplishments and relevant experiences.
Background checks will be conducted for all non-incumbent candidates. These will not be shared. The results of the background checks will be sent to the CCDC treasurer, Ann McNally.
Individual candidates will be contacted by the County Treasurer or Chair if there are questions resulting from the background checks.
Resumes and completed questionnaires will be shared with the members of the County Committee by district.

CCDC will host at least one forum in each district that has more than one candidate seeking endorsement for an office or in which the candidate is not an incumbent.

The CCDC Endorsement Convention will be scheduled within one week of the beginning of the petition signing period as required by the CCDC bylaws.

The following district offices are up for election:
Congressional District 6
State Senate District 44
State Representative Districts 13, 26, 74, 155, 156, 157, 158, 160, 167

To be considered for CCDC endorsement, please submit a brief letter of intent to run which includes your name, office sought, district, and contact information to Marcy Cornell at office@chescodems.org by November 30, 2025. Non-incumbent candidates should also submit a resume to Marcy Cornell at office@chescodems.org by November 30, 2025.

All candidates who submit a letter of intent will receive an online questionnaire to complete by December 20th. The resumes of non-incumbents and all completed questionnaires will be shared with the CCDC voting members in each district.

Thank you,

Vanessa Pope-Babinecz, Secretary
Chester County Democratic Committee
Chair of the Candidate Evaluation and Recommendation Committee