Chairman Hugh Reiley, Schuylkill County Democratic Committee, announced that at a recent county convention of the elected committee persons of the county Democratic Party, candidates seeking the party's nomination in the Primary Election to be held April 24 received endorsements.

Barack Obama, for U.S. President; Robert P. Casey Jr., for U.S. Senate; Eugene Dipasquale, for State Auditor General; Tim Holden, for U.S. Congress; Tim Seip, for state senator; Neal Goodman, for State Representative of 123rd District; Vicki Harman, Hegins, for State Representative 125th District.Reiley added, "We are proud to again present Congressman Holden and Representative Goodman to voters of Schuylkill County. They are well known incumbents who have served the citizens with distinction and their records clearly establish that they should be continued in office." He continued, "We are also pleased to endorse former Representative Seip for the State Senate seat. Tim brings a wealth of experience and keen understanding of the legislative process to his candidacy and we welcome Vicki Harman as the candidate for representative."Only Congressman Holden has opposition in the primaries. He will be opposed by Attorney Matthew Cartwright, of Lackawanna County.The 17th Congressional District has been realigned. The new district ranges from Schuylkill County to Scranton. Dauphin and Lebanon counties were taken away from the district. Holden has served 19 years in congress and has a high ranking seniority on major committees.There are a number of important dates to remember for the Primary Election.Last Wednesday, Feb. 15, was the first legal day to circulate and file nominating papers nominating independent candidates of political bodies or candidates of minor political parties. Tuesday, Feb. 21, is the last day to file objections to nomination petitions for the primaries. Objections must be filed in the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the candidates' petition was filed. Wednesday, Feb. 29, candidates will cast lots for positions on the ballot. Monday, March 5, is the first day for absentee ballots are to be mailed to those qualified to vote by absentee ballot. Monday, March 26, is the last day to register to be eligible to vote in the primary election. Tuesday, April 17, is the last day for election boards to receive voted absentee ballots.In this year's Primary Election the offices to which nominations will be voted are as follows:President of the United States, United States Senator, Representative to Congress, State Attorney General, State Auditor General, State Treasurer, State Senator, State Representative from the 123rd, 124th and 125th Schuylkill Legislative Districts.The county Democratic Party will elect four males and four females as delegates to the Democratic National Convention and one male alternate delegate to the national convention.The county Republican Party will elect three delegates to the Republican National Convention.