Politics & Government

Former County Commissioner to Take on Greenleaf

Ruth Damsker, a Democrat, is looking to unseat 36-year incumbent Stewart Greenleaf.

A former Montgomery County commissioner has announced a bid for state senate.

Ruth Damsker, a resident of Upper Gwynedd, is running to represent the 12th congressional district, a seat that has been held by Republican Stewart Greenleaf for 36 years.

The 12th District includes parts of Bucks and Montgomery Counties, including Hatboro, Horsham Township, Montgomery Township, Warminster Township, Upper Southampton Township and Warrington Township. 

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Damsker is a two-term Montgomery County Commissioner who has served in Europe with the U.S. Amry Community Service Program. She was the Cheltenham Finance Officer and Controller for 12 years as well as Montgomery County Commissioner from 2000 to 2008.

She also served in leadership roles in the American Cancer Society, Rotary International, the American Association of University Women and the United Parent Group, according to her bio. 

Find out what's happening in Lower Morelandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

She said her platform includes plans to restore education funding, introduce a extraction tax on natural gas, protect state lands and create jobs.

“My opponent, 36 year incumbent Senator Greenleaf, has gone along with the right wing agenda of Governor Corbett, voting for a $1 billion cut in education funds, supported the tax giveaway to natural gas drilling companies as well as placing state lands, forests and natural resources at risk.” said Damsker in a statement announcing her candidacy.

Damsker graduated from Temple University and has three sons, Jason, Keith and David, who are physicians and a daughter, Rebecca who is a secondary Social Studies teacher. Damsker has six grandchildren.


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