History Made As Democrats Sworn In

Democrats are now at the helm of Bucks County government.

On Monday morning, incumbent Democratic county Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia, incoming Democratic Commissioner Bob Harvie along with newcomer Gene DiGirolamo, a Republican former state representative, were sworn in. In addition, four Democrats were sworn in for row offices: Kris Ballerini, of Upper Makefield, became the new county treasurer; Linda Bobrin, of Newtown Township, took the role as the new register of wills; Meredith Buck, of Chalfont Borough, began work as the new county coroner; and Brian Munroe, of Warminster, became the new clerk of courts.

The first-floor meeting room – the largest in the Bucks County Administration Building – was packed as the new officials took the oath of office.

Monday marked the first time in memory and recent history that Democrats hold the majority on the commissioners and every row office, aside from the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.

Bucks County Democratic Committee Chair John Cordisco said his party members were celebrating their majority on Monday but will get straight to work on governing the county.

Ellis-Marseglia, a Middletown resident, she took her 12 years serving as a minority party commissioner as training for Democrats taking the lead for the first time since a short period in the 1980s.

She told the gathered crowd that her party is ready to lead and would work for the best interests of the 628,000 residents.

Harvie, a former Bucks County Technical High School teacher and recent chair of the Falls Township Board of Supervisors, said he is proud of his family and he thinks of the new majority as a part of his family.

DiGirolamo, who is from Bensalem, told the crowd that “governing is hard work – we got to make a lot of tough decisions,” but noted that working together can solve problems.

“We will work together to make Bucks County the best place it can be.”