Pennsylvania Democratic Party

Stars

300 North Second Street, 8th Floor,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101

Phone: (717) 920-8470 - Fax: (717) 901-7829

Email: info@padems.com Website: www.padems.com

Jim Burn	Penny Gerber	Ann Bursis
State Chair	Vice-Chair	Treasurer

CONTACT: Patrick McKenna
PHONE: (717) 920-8470

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2010

Saidel Appointed As Head Of Transition Team

HARRISBURG, Pa: Newly elected Pennsylvania Democratic Chair, Jim Burn today announced the appointment of Jonathan A. Saidel, former Philadelphia City Controller, to head a transition team charged with evaluating all aspects the State Democratic Party operations including staffing, fund raising, communications and more.

"Jonathan Saidel has an undisputed reputation as an innovative manager with the ability to maximize an organization's efficiency by conducting a thorough analysis and applying out-of-the-box thinking," Burn said. "He played a major part in bringing the City of Philadelphia back from the brink of bankruptcy in the 1990's and he is a passionate and tireless advocate for our party's mission and the working families of Pennsylvania," according to Burn.

Specifically, Burn has asked Saidel to expedite the search and interview process for key staff positions, analyze fund raising practices and opportunities, assess internal and external communications including the use of new media and internet technologies, examine the Party's role in coordinating and contributing to the campaigns and elections of Democratic candidates at all levels and identify existing strengths as well as areas where changes will increase efficiencies and effectiveness.

Saidel, who missed winning the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor in the May primary by less than half of a percentage point, is a well-known and popular figure among active Democrats. His decision to stop the automatic recount process in the 2010 Lt. Governor primary was seen by Democratic insiders as a positive step, allowing Democratic gubernatorial nominee Dan Onorato and his Lt. Governor running mate, Scott Conklin, to launch their General Election campaign without an unnecessary distraction and potentially divisive and expensive recount process.

"I am honored that Chairman Burn has trusted me with this important responsibility," Saidel said. "There are limitless numbers of talented professionals who can be called upon to help build our party by bringing their expertise to the table in the transition process. I look forward to conducting an expeditious, open and inclusive transition process working with our nominees for Governor and U.S. Senate in a coordinated effort that focuses first on victory this fall while balancing the longer-term interest of building our party", Saidel said.

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