Webb to challenge incumbent Frank Farry

From the Bucks County Courier Times (2/27/2014):

Ritchie Webb seeks to challenge State Rep. Frank Farry
By Christian Menno Staff writer

Former Neshaminy school board President Ritchie Webb confirmed Wednesday he will run as a Democrat in the May primary in an effort to face off against state Rep. Frank Farry, R-142, in November’s general election.

The lifelong Republican said he was recently approached by Democratic officials to see if he had any interest in running for the position.

“I had to give it a lot of thought in a short amount of time but I asked myself if I could help the school districts and the state (if elected) and I thought that I could so I said yes,” Webb said. The move to switch political parties was something Webb, 60, said he was OK with, adding that he’s “always been a down-the-middle person” during his time on the school board from December 2003 through 2013.

“I’ve always tried to come out and say pretty much what I think is correct — whether it aligns with the Democrats or the Republicans. The bottom line is the Republicans already have a candidate and he will receive the endorsement and all the financial support and benefits of being the endorsed candidate,” Webb said.

He added that the GOP does not typically host open primaries, with the resources usually going toward the endorsed candidate.

Farry announced that he will seek re-election last month during a press conference that featured several Republican officials. He has held the seat since the 2008 election.

When reached for comment Wednesday, Farry said he is “looking forward, as this race moves forward, to talking about the legislation that we’ve passed to make our community a better place and our efforts to create more jobs.

“I will reserve comment on Ritchie’s recent revelation that he has become a Democrat,” Farry added.

Farry, a Langhorne resident, works as an attorney and serves as chief of the Langhorne-Middletown Fire Co. He served as assistant township manager in Middletown from 2000 to 2008.

Webb, who lives in Middletown, currently works as Bristol Township School District’s food service director. He also operates a tax and accounting business and a food safety training business.

He became the face of the school board during the contentious, five-year-long contract dispute with the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers which was eventually settled last June. Because of recently approved redistricting, the 142nd will soon be comprised of Langhorne Borough, Langhorne Manor, Upper Southampton, Lower Southampton and a portion of Middletown. It will no longer include Hulmeville and Penndel.