Race To November: Pro-Team Holds Fundraiser

Independent Democratic candidates, self-described as "The Pro Team," held a fundraiser Wednesday to kick off their campaigns for the Bristol Township Council elections in November.

Nearly 50 guests were treated with a DJ, buffet trays of finger foods and an open tap at the fundraiser. Attendees were asked to donate $25 for a campaign contribution. Event coordinators also held a 50/50 raffle for participants.

Current Bristol Township Councilman Bob Lewis was among those at Wednesday's event. Lewis said he officially endorses the Pro Team candidates.

"I came to celebrate the (Primary Election) victory of these new candidates … whose hearts are in the right place, and are heading in the right direction," Lewis said.

Attendance at the event was considerably less than their previous event in May, with about half as many guests. Candidate and former Bristol Township Business Coalition President Craig Bowen said he was not caught off guard by the number.

"It's summer. I figured that we were going to get a lighter turnout," Bowen said.

Bowen spent the majority of his time at the event shaking hands and discussing politics at length with the myriad of residents at the meet-and-greet.

According to Bowen, the major talking points of the event were "the usual" including roads, school, and a "thirst for a different energy in politics."

"When you talk to the people here, you find that they are just sick of the current trends in politics; from the lowest local levels to the federal stalemate (with the debt ceiling debate); they just want their government to work," Bowen said.

The attendees were diverse, a mixture of voters of all ages, genders and even party affiliation.

Despite being a registered Republican, Bristol Township resident Beau Pustiak said he supports the Pro-Team.

"I'm here to support (the Pro-Team) because I've always been taught to use your head, and to not just go by party politics," Pustiak said.

For him, it's less about the party, and more about honesty. As candidate Bowen would say, the Pro-Team is not "business as usual" in the local political spectrum.

"I'm not a fan of underhanded and dishonest politics. Unfortunately, that's what's currently wrong with this township," Pustiak said.

That air of honesty is what brought fundraiser attendee Mike McCann to the event, as well as being on board with the candidates.

"It's going to be a big job. I think they are going to go into it not as individuals, but as a team -- that will make a difference," McCann said.

Currently, the Independent Democratic Candidates are planning to hold similar fundraising events at Hurricane Jack's the 4th Wednesday of every month until Election Day.