Dear Neighbor,
Thank you for reading my District Round-up. As your candidate for Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District, it is my honor and pleasure to deliver to you where I’ve been and what issues I’ve tackled in the past week. Criss-crossing the counties of Adams, Franklin, Fulton, Bedford, Cambria, Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Cumberland, and Somerset gives me great opportunities to meet with voters, hear what is on your hearts and minds, and the chance to voice my fight for Everyday Americans. If you would like to contribute to my campaign, please donate here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/beth-fa,rnham-for-congress-1
In Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, Democracy isn’t safe.
Today, Kelcie, co-chair of the Mercersburg Halloween Parade, sponsored by Lions Club International, told me that I could not use my navy and pink banner that reads, “They sacrificed for our Democracy” to honor my relatives who died in service to our country.
In 1944, my great-uncle, 2nd Lieutenant Harrison Robins III, deployed to India with the 20th Air Force, 58th Bomber wing, 468th Bomber group, 792nd Squadron and was shot down over Yawata, Japan on August 20th of that year. In 1949, when his remains were finally found and recovered, a telegram indicating such was received by his father, my great grandfather, Harrison Robins II, who promptly had a heart attack and died. My family held a double funeral for them.
In 1953, my paternal grandfather, Captain Wesley Yeo Clement, of the United States Air Force brought his family to Frankfort -Rhine Main AFB, Germany while he participated in the Allied occupation of Germany, ensuring fascism would not rise again there. After a mid-air collision took his life and those of his fellow airmen, their remains were interred together at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery and my family moved back to the United States.
Kelcie explained that my banner couldn’t be used because it had the word, “Democracy” and that if it had said, “They died for our Freedom” or “They sacrificed for America” that might have been okay, but “Democracy” was not. She even added that my name was a problem and only the colors “red, white, and blue” could be used. When I asked for clarification, she repeatedly claimed that it was “a gray area” and alluded to potential controversy.
But the “Freedom,” or even America, Kelcie refers to doesn’t come from a monarchy.
Freedom doesn’t come from fascism.
Freedom doesn’t come from a dictatorship.
Freedom doesn’t come from any kind of authoritarian rule.
Freedom only comes from Democracy.
When the granddaughter and great-niece of those who died in service cannot openly campaign or even honor them in a public parade in a small town in America, then that Freedom doesn’t exist and the only thing these veterans get from Lions Club International for all of their sacrifices is a proverbial slap in the face.
I am a proud descendent of not only those ancestors who served in World War II and the American occupation of Germany, but also those who served in the American Revolutionary War and on the side of the United States of America in the Civil War and World War I. When I, a woman, campaign as Beth Farnham for Congress, I honor them, whether I carry their memorials in the colors I wish or I promote my slogan, “Choose Democracy.” They sacrificed so I could be free to do exactly these things.
Oh sure, the Lions Club claims to be politically neutral and non religious, but in the Mercersburg Halloween Parade 2025, they’ve authorized at least two churches whose messages include, “Feed us with your grace, and grant us the treasure that comes only from you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord” and “We exist to share the good news of Jesus Christ by reaching out to others…” from their websites. Those aren’t subtle, especially if someone isn’t expecting any church to be in a Halloween parade.
And yet, squeezing out democratic norms, but asserting Christianity, happens all the time in Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional district. It’s why church events and participation are widely visible, but no Chambers of Congress, no newspapers, and no institutions of higher learning in the counties of Adams, Franklin, Fulton, Bedford, Somerset, Cambria, Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Cumberland, and Somerset have ever sponsored a debate between me and our US Representative, multimillionaire John Joyce.
It’s why John Joyce doesn’t hold in-person town halls or even attend those in Gettysburg and Altoona to which he was invited this year.
As long as you don’t get to participate in the Democratic process, or see candidates in public parades, you might not know what you’re missing. You might not recognize your power to change things for the better instead of losing your job, your healthcare, your food assistance, your Social Security, or anything else you value that comes from the government.
Or maybe Kelcie is just looking out for our safety.
On September 13th, Mercersburg resident Christina Palesky, her husband, Don Palesky who is running for Mercersburg Borough Council, and their minor child, were threatened with physical violence, all because Christina dared to hold a demonstration on the square of Mercersburg several Saturdays in a row.
Perhaps Kelcie is concerned that the Mercersburg families in attendance can’t be trusted not to:
Hurl insults or curse words at an American candidate.
Throw things at an American candidate.
Yell death threats at an American candidate.
Shoot an American candidate.
And so, when we consider what the Mercersburg Halloween Parade of 2025 is, we realize that it’s not about a small town in America losing its charm, but hiding its evil.
I am Beth Farnham, Fighter for FOOD SECURITY.
No one in this country should go hungry.
That Republicans are so unwilling to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies that they have shutdown the government resulting in the denial of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to hungry Americans beginning November 1st, speaks to their never-ending cruelty.
Remember, in aid to the neediest Americans, Democrats in Congress acheived the social safety nets of:
Medicare
Medicaid
National School Lunch Act
Unemployment Benefits
Social Security
Affordable Care Act
Food Stamp Act (renamed SNAP in 2008)
I am proud to be a Democrat and fight for the basic rights and services of Everyday Americans such as Universal Healthcare, increased minimum wage, and expanded benefits where needed. I would never have voted to take away food assistance or healthcare as our own US Representative, multimillionaire John Joyce, did this year.
While Republicans wallow in cruelty, food pantries will be the last resort for Pennsylvanians about to lose their SNAP benefits. In PA-13, those people number over 110, 000 including children and the elderly. Please give to your local food pantries if you can:
Adams County
https://www.adamscountypa.gov/…/Food_Pantries_Kitchens…
Franklin County
Fulton County
https://www.centerforcommunityaction.org/…/fulton…
Bedford County
https://www.centerforcommunityaction.org/…/food…
Cambria County
https://www.unitedwaysa.org/…/2024%20Food%20Guide…
Blair County
http://www.juniataumc.net/…/blair_county_food_pantries…
Huntingdon County
https://www.huntingdonuw.org/food-resources
Juniata County
https://www.yelp.com/…/juniata-county-food-pantry…
Mifflin County
https://www.mifflincountypa.gov/…/41e31…/October-2025-MC
Perry County
https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=foodbanks…
Somerset County
https://www.unitedwaysa.org/…/2024%20Food%20Guide…
And many thanks to SCAAP for yesterday’s Empty Bowls event to support The Gleaning Project of South Central PA. It was a delightful afternoon of good food and fellowship.
Together, we #ChooseDemocracy and FOOD SECURITY!
https://www.axios.com/…/gov-shutdown-snap-payments…
If you’re like me, you love this country as much as I do and work to make a positive difference. In the midst of this Constitutional Crisis, please consider reaching out to your local Democratic committees or Democratic candidates so that we can strengthen our Democracy instead of letting it slide into fascism.
We don’t just #ChooseDemocracy, we choose Pennsylvania, we choose The United States of America, we choose Humanity and I am deeply glad to work along side you.
Sincerely,
Beth
Beth Farnham for Congress 