Following Schuylkill County District Attorney Michael A. O’Pake’s announcement of his decision to switch his political affiliation from Democrat to Republican, the Schuylkill County Democratic Committee (SCDC) has issued a pointed and critical response.
SCDC Chairman Todd Zimmerman expressed disappointment but noted that the move was not entirely unexpected. He referenced efforts by Republican-aligned business groups to entice O’Pake into changing parties several years earlier.
“The Republican Chamber of Commerce’s wealthy donating circle tried to seduce O’Pake to change parties four years ago,” Zimmerman stated. “O’Pake assured the committee that he was a committed Democrat and eventually ran unopposed.”
Zimmerman directly challenged O’Pake’s assertions that the national Democratic Party’s policies have strayed too far from core values of law enforcement and public safety. He rejected claims that Democrats support defunding the police, pointing instead to Republican actions and rhetoric that he argues threaten law enforcement institutions.
“It was Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol and wounded Capitol police,” Zimmerman said. “Hundreds of insurrectionists were arrested and convicted by local juries. We also need a strong FBI to combat foreign and domestic terrorists. Kash Patel, Trump’s choice to lead the FBI, has said he wants to blow it up. To me, that is defunding the police!”
Addressing O’Pake’s remarks about border security, Zimmerman acknowledged bipartisan agreement on the need for comprehensive immigration reform but laid blame on political pressure from former President Trump for derailing recent legislative efforts.
“Conservative Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma helped create a bipartisan immigration reform bill in early 2024,” Zimmerman said. “But Trump pressured the House to kill the deal. Without legal immigrants, many local businesses will struggle as mass deportation plans take effect, and American citizens with foreign accents could be targeted by white supremacists.”
Zimmerman also tied gun reform and child safety together, emphasizing broad public support for common-sense measures.
“Most Americans want solid background checks and limits on military-style weapons like the AR-15,” he argued. “Our children and grandchildren shouldn’t have to be trained for active shooter situations. These are the real threats we face today.”
He further disputed O’Pake’s critique of economic policies, noting President Biden’s legislative successes. Zimmerman highlighted the Inflation Reduction Act, Infrastructure Bill, and CHIPS Act as measures that have revived manufacturing and reduced costs for essential medicines like insulin.
In closing, Zimmerman predicted political challenges for O’Pake, who has long been a fixture in Schuylkill County politics. “While O’Pake might be welcomed by Republican donors, the MAGA base doesn’t tolerate political chameleons. I expect they will primary him in May. After his comments about Democrats, he won’t get much, if any, support from us.”