Four mayoral candidates in Pennsylvania are vying for a spot as the state’s first openly LGBT mayor in the Nov. 5 election, which will also see a number of other out candidates looking to break into, or be reelected to, public office. New Hope has long been known as an LGBT getaway in Bucks County, and Donna Deely, 52, is looking to helm the town. The out lesbian, who serves on the fundraising committee for the Bucks County Playhouse and as a volunteer for Aid for Friends, told PGN she hopes to enhace the communication among elected officials and residents in New Hope. Hailing from another small town, out businessman Doug DiPasquale hopes to lead his town, Lansdale, in a new direction. DiPasquale, 29, owns Minuteman Press and serves as president of the Lansdale Business Association and as the LBA liaison to the borough’s economic-development committee. He also serves as vice president of Discover Lansdale, a nonprofit organization that brings new events to the town. DiPasquale told PGN he has already begun conversations with the borough’s council on crafting an LGBT-specific nondiscrimination ordinance. Hatboro mayoral candidate Bill Godshall is also no stranger to small businesses, operating his own florist company, Rose In Bloom. The retired and decorated military veteran pledged to be a more visible mayor if elected and hopes to open a cultural center in Hatboro. Godshall currently sits on the board of directors of Hatboro’s Chamber of Commerce and is a new member of the Hatboro Rotary Club. He defeated incumbent Democratic mayor Norm Hawkes in the spring, but Hawkes is now running as a Republican write-in candidate. Harrisburg mayoral candidate Dan Miller’s race has been a unique one. Miller, who lost the Democratic primary in May, will run as a Republican next week. Miller has served as Harrisburg’s city controller for the past four years and also served on City Council prior to that. Miller’s plans for state capitol focus on fixing its weak financial position. If elected, Miller would become only the second openly gay mayor in a state capitol in the United States. Across the river, Don Guardian is running for mayor of Atlantic City, N.J. Guardian served as an executive of the Boy Scouts of America from 1976-91 and was an executive assistant to the president of the Claridge Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. In addition to mayoral races, out candidates are running in a number of other races. Political newcomer and Army veteran Andrea Myers is looking to join Hatboro Borough Council, which she worked closely with in pressing for an LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance in the borough. Lori Schreiber is seeking another term as Abington Township Commissioner. In the central part of the state, Ben Allat is looking to join Harrisburg City Council and Jenn Black is seeking to become the Loyalsock Township Supervisor, while Chris Dietz is seeking re-election to Millersburg Borough Council. In Western Pennsylvania, Robert Langley is pursuing re-election to the Meadville City Council.
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