McFall takes helm of Westmoreland Democratic committee

Michelle McFall knows just how difficult a job she has.

McFall, 53, of Murrysville was elected to lead the Westmoreland County Democratic Committee, an organization that in recent years has seen its influence in local politics erode as voter registration numbers plunge and ballot box losses mount.

“We’re now the scrappy underdog party. We have nowhere else to go but up,” McFall said Monday.

Democrats elected McFall, a local political organizer and former teacher, as the new party chairwoman. She narrowly defeated Ceil Kessler of Greensburg in a divided leadership vote at the party’s June 24 reorganization meeting.

The party’s leadership team has a Murrysville flavor, which for decades has been a Republican stronghold in the county. Ravi Balu of Murrysville was elected as the party’s vice chairman, and Jeremy Davidson of Murrysville was appointed by McFall as the new party treasurer.

Bibiana Boerio of Unity was named committee secretary.

McFall succeeds Tara Yokopenic, who did not seek another term.

McFall’s task is to lead the party that for decades dominated local politics but in recent years has become the minority. With more than 95,000 members, Democrats account for about 39% of registered voters in the county while Republican registered voters number more than 120,000.

Democrats hold one countywide elected office.

Gina Cerilli Thrasher, the lone Democrat on the county’s board of commissioners, supported McFall’s election as to head the committee.

“Westmoreland County still holds power in statewide elections. Michelle’s leadership will put Westmoreland on the map for statewide races,” Thrasher said.

McFall said the county still is in a position to have a substantial voice in state politics. She said voter engagement and outreach is essential to rebound the party’s political influence.

Few races on the November ballot for representatives in the state House will have Democratic candidates, but efforts are underway to ensure the party will have candidates to seek every elected office on the 2024 ballot, McFall said.

She suggested the political climate — through national politics and Supreme Court rulings — has given Democrats hope for the future.

“We have to reach out and reach voters in a way that is reasonable. The Roe v. Wade decision is a game changer for us. It’s an opportunity to tell voters why we elect Democrats,” McFall said.