EBENSBURG —
Helen Whiteford, who was thrust into the chairmanship of the Cambria County Democratic Party three years ago, will be stepping down later this month when the party’s committee members meet to elect a new chief.
Whiteford, who was the vice chairwoman from 1984-2007, automatically was elevated into the chairmanship upon the death of party chief William Joseph.
She decided not to run for the chairmanship this year but said Monday that she will continue to remain active in Democratic politics.
She is the first woman to lead either major political party in Cambria County.
Three men are viewed as contenders for the chairmanship:
• Heath Long, an Ebensburg lawyer and first assistant district attorney. He has been a behind-the-scenes campaign chairman and worker for years for county judges, district attorneys and county commissioners.
• Charles Vizzini Jr., also an Ebensburg resident and state Democratic committee member.
• Frank Fantauzzo of East Taylor Township, who works in labor training programs. He has been a county committeeman and long active in Democratic politics.
One prominent Democrat has taken himself out of the running for the chairmanship. County Controller Ed Cernic Jr. said that he decided against seeking the position and is supporting Long as the new party chief.
Whiteford said that as soon as she gets official confirmation from the county election office on the names of people elected to the county Democratic Committee, she will set the meeting. Those meetings are held in the county courthouse in Ebensburg.
In addition to chairman, the committee will be electing a vice chairman, a position now held by Anthony “Tony” Perry.
Whiteford, a widow, is a retired administrative assistant from the United Mine Workers District 2 office in Ebensburg. She served an interim two-year stint as county jury commissioner in 2000-01.
“Absolutely, I’ll continue to be active in Democratic politics,” she said. “I’ve always been active, and I’m also active in the Democratic Women. I’m not going away.”
During her three years as chairwoman, she said that Democrats have continued to hold a 2-to-1 voter registration edge in the county, all county Democratic officeholders were re-elected and Barack Obama carried the county in the presidential election.
“The most traumatic thing was the death of Rep. (John) Murtha,” Whiteford said. “That was a hurdle.”
Challenges this year for the new chairman will include the election of U.S. Rep. Mark Critz to a full two-year term in the 12th district and the U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections, Whiteford said.
Fantauzzo said that while he has not yet taken himself out of the running, “I’m leaning toward not doing it.”
Long declined comment and Vizzini could not be reached for comment.
Local News
Related Photos
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Helen Whiteford File Photo
Discussion
Cambria top Dem quitting
Whiteford served as party chairwoman for three years
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