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SCRANTON, PA – On Tuesday night, the Lackawanna County Federation of Democratic Women, Pennsylvania Democrats, and eight other Democratic ally organizations hosted the Good Trouble Fest – a new kind of event modeled like a civic action fair.
Roughly 200 attendees participated in the event, moving through stations where they could register to vote, sign up for local protests, and contact their elected officials. Other tables provided resources on running for local office, working the polls, joining environmental efforts, and engaging in community volunteering. At one station, over 20 attendees signed up to receive follow-up information about running for local office.
In one powerful moment, one lifelong Republican attended the event out of curiosity and left having switched his registration to Democrat.
The Good Trouble Fest is part of a broader effort by Democratic organizations across America to fill the void left by Republican lawmakers who are absent from public town halls and constituent events. Beyond state and local partners, this event was supported by national organizations including the DNC and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).
One example of this growing GOP silence is in PA-08, where newly elected Republican Congressman Rob Bresnahan declined to hold an in-person town hall. Instead, opting for tightly controlled telephone town halls, where questions are screened and accountability is avoided.
President of Lackawanna County Federation of Democratic Women, Patti Reider, released the following statement:
“We are excited about the success of last night’s event, Good Trouble Fest. Hundreds of supporters and community leaders demonstrated a powerful display of unity and purpose for the future. Last night’s event is a clear signal that we are ready, willing, and able to continue to advocate for working families, protect our democracy, and organize for our future.”
Deputy Political Director of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and Lackawanna County native, Kait Ahern, released the following statement:
“As PA Democrats, we know that all politics is local. That’s why we were so proud to work hand-in-hand with local allies across Lackawanna County to bring the Good Trouble Fest to life. While Republicans go silent, it’s our neighbors and local leaders who step up and fight back. This event shows what real democracy looks like: powered by the people, rooted in towns like Scranton, and ready to cause good trouble.”