The Schuylkill County Democratic Committee held a convention last Sunday to endorse candidates for the Primary Election to be held Tuesday, May 18.

Tim Holden, of Saint Clair, who has been the representative to U.S. Congress since 1993 to the present, was endorsed for re-election. He represents the 17th Congressional District which includes all of Schuylkill, Lebanon and Dauphin Counties and eastern part of Perry County and northern part of Berks County.Running against Holden is Sheila Dow-Ford, of Harrisburg, making her first political venture. She is married to Les Ford and they have three children. An attorney by trade she is chief counsel to the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. She holds a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, 1985.A newcomer on the county ticket is Jeffrey Faust, of East Brunswick Township, who is seeking the nomination to represent the 124th state legislative district currently held by Republican Jerry Knowles, of Tamaqua. Faust and wife, Karen, have four daughters. He is a graduate of Blue Mountain High School in 1987 and since 2001 has been co-owner and operator of an early education child care center in Pine Grove. He also is current chairman of the East Brunswick Township Board of Supervisors.The other two state legislative districts in the county, 124th, the incumbent is Neil Goodman and the 125th, Tim Seip, both got endorsement for re-election.On the state level the Democratic Committee endorsed Jack Wagner, current state auditor general, for governor. There are two others also running, Joe Hoeffel, Montgomery County commissioner, and Don Onorato, Allegheny County executive.U.S. Senator Arlen Spector, who jumped party by transferring from being a Republican to a Democrat, received the county Democrat Committee's endorsement for re-election. Spector has opposition in the primary from U. S. Congressman Joe Sestak.Endorsed for the state committee were Charles Dries and Linda Decindio. The meeting was conducted by Edward M. Kleha, chairman of the Schuylkill County Democratic Party.