Republican fundraiser sparks criticism from candidate in 39th District state Senate race

The Democratic challenger seeking to oust incumbent state Sen. Kim Ward in the 39th District issued a strong rebuke on Wednesday of Ward’s decision to hold a campaign fundraiser last week in which one elected county leader who attended has since tested positive for the coronavirus.

Westmoreland County Commissioner Doug Chew announced Tuesday he tested positive for the virus after first experiencing symptoms Sunday — three days after he attended the tented outdoor campaign event for the incumbent Hempfield Republican at Stonewater on Broad Street in South Greensburg.

Ward’s challenger, Tay Waltenbaugh, said that fundraiser put county residents at risk.

“Photos from this event illustrate Sen. Ward’s personal failure along with her failure to have her guests practice social distancing protocols of any kind, including wearing masks,” Waltenbaugh said. “It is reasonable to assume Chew either contracted the virus at Kim Ward’s fundraising event or he carried it with him. In either case, a large number of people may be infected because Kim Ward believed her fundraiser was more important than the health and welfare of those in attendance.”

Chew said Wednesday state contact tracers do not consider Ward’s event to be one where he potentially exposed others to the coronavirus. The Oct. 1 event was attended by Chew, other elected officials and Ward campaign supporters. Chew is the only person who attended who has publicly announced a positive test for the virus.

According to guidelines posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contact with someone diagnosed with coronavirus that occurred more than 48 hours before that person showed symptoms does not present a risk of exposure. Ward’s fundraiser was at least 72 hours before Chew said he first experienced symptoms.

“It’s the lowest form of politics when a candidate uses someone’s health diagnosis to fearmonger in order to advance their extreme left-wing agenda. Shameful,” Ward said.

Chew said contact tracers did ask him about a Republican Party committee picnic he attended Saturday at Oak Hollow Park in North Huntingdon, where local GOP officials, including Chew, Commissioner Sean Kertes and Ward attended.

Ward said she is confident she was not in close contact with Chew at that event. She said she has not been tested and is not in quarantine.

Kertes tested negative for the virus Tuesday, but said he will remain in quarantine until Oct. 13. Other staffers in the commissioners’ courthouse office are awaiting test results, including one who also attended Ward’s fundraiser.

Commissioner Gina Cerilli, a Democrat, tested negative for the virus but said she may have been exposed Monday in meetings with another commissioners’ staffer at the courthouse.

“Some of the commissioners’ staff couldn’t get appointments until (Wednesday), so I’m quarantining until everyone gets their results,” Cerilli said.

Commissioners’ offices on the first floor of the courthouse remained closed Wednesday, and staffers will continue to work from home for now, officials said.

As a result of Chew’s diagnosis, commissioners canceled three public meetings scheduled this week, including one for the county’s elections board at which final preparations for the Nov. 3 general election were to be considered. That meeting was rescheduled for Oct. 13.

Chew said Wednesday he is at home and continues to work despite experiencing mild symptoms.