Chestnut Hill will have a new state representative in 2022, thanks to redistricting.

The Woodmere Art Museum held a community forum last week so that Chestnut Hill residents could meet and learn about the two candidates, Pam DeLessio and Tarik Khan.

Shamefully, the DeLissio campaign undermined the good will that should have made the event a true exchange of ideas. The most egregious offender was Patrick Baeringer - DeLissio’s campaign manager, who questioned Khan as if he were just a member of the public, without bothering to identify himself as her campaign manager.  He was later seen talking with a local news reporter, clearly giving his “impressions” of the event. 

This letter is prompted by that underhandedness. It did not have to be this way, and DeLissio should apologize.  Tarik’s mother was in the audience and she did not feel it was appropriate for her to talk in an event which was designed to inform Chestnut Hillers. DeLissio supporters from as far away as East Falls evidently had no such scruples.  

I admit with pride that I support Tarik, but I also believe in fair play. I am from Mt. Airy and volunteer for Tarik.  I too did not ask questions in a setting which was supposed to inform neighborhood residents about the two candidates 

This forum should have been an example of democracy at its best, where the public has a chance to learn about the candidates. Instead, the public meeting was manipulated in such a manner that it became yet another example of political deception. 

I applaud the public spirit at Woodmere and thank them for their good work.  Their event deserved to have both candidates honestly engage with the audience. Next time, let’s aim higher.