In politics, there are a lot of things that happen behind the scenes that the public never hears about. A LOT of things. The following would have remained one of them, but for the tendency of Democrats – in this case the Lebanon County Democratic Committee – not only to paper over deception and fraud, but to reward it.
The Deception
On February 12, 2024, Democrat Susan Laura Quick filed petitions with the Department of State to run against me for the 102nd District seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Her petitions contained 336 signatures, surpassing the 300 minimum to qualify her to appear on the ballot.
Upon inspection however, it became apparent that dozens of the signatures on those petitions were likely forgeries, all in handwriting curiously similar to that of Ms. Quick.
(See petition Page 1, Side 2, lines 16-30; Page 4, Sides 1 & 2, lines 5-30; Page 5, Side 2, lines 15-30; and Page 10, Side 2, lines 15-30 contained in the downloadable PDF over on my website, or the page images posted at the end of this article.)
Matthew Duvall, who was Chairman of the Lebanon County Democratic Committee at the time, signed as the circulator of Page 4 of those petitions, which contained 26 apparent forgeries (of the 30 total signatures on that petition page).
You can download the paperwork surrounding Ms. Quick’s candidacy by clicking here. These are public documents she filed with the Department of State. Images of the questionable pages are posted at the end of this article.
Confronting Fraud
Although I have a long history of very publicly exposing and successfully challenging flaws in petition filings by my political opponents, in 2024 I had no desire to cause public embarrassment or potential criminal charges for anyone.
Through an intermediary, I privately made Ms. Quick and Mr. Duvall aware of my suspicions, the prospect of a costly legal challenge to the petition filing, and the potential of criminal prosecution for those responsible for any forgeries. The intermediary was well aware of my successful history in these matters.
Ms. Quick quickly withdrew her candidacy on February 14, 2024. There was no reporting of the apparent forgeries nor did any media outlet cover her withdrawal, and I was content to just let it go at that. A kinder, gentler Russ Diamond, if you will. Still willing to fight the good fight but mellowing with age.
Rewarding Deception
Now I am not privy to the inner workings of the Lebanon County Democratic Committee, but this year I was a bit taken aback to see them promote Ms. Quick for election as a member of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee, as well as have her serve as co-organizer of their “Mondays with Meuser” protest group.
Additionally, while Mr. Duvall remained as Chairman of the Lebanon County Democratic Committee during Ms. Quick’s elevation to those two positions, he has since stepped away from that role and will appear as the Democrat on the ballot for the 102nd District on November 3rd, by virtue of a write-in campaign at the primary election, also blessed by their county committee.
Had something like Ms. Quick’s petition fiasco happened within the ranks of the Lebanon County Republican Committee, I assure you heads would have rolled and the individuals involved would no longer serve in any important capacity representing our party.
Sleeping Dogs? Not So Quick
After Ms. Quick’s withdrawal in 2024, I was willing to let sleeping dogs lie. But in 2026, Lebanon County Democrats appear to have rewarded the deception and fraud surrounding her petition submission two years ago. The proverbial dogs no longer sleep and are out barking in public.
Lebanon County Democrats owe voters – especially the voters whose signatures were apparently forged in 2024 – an explanation not just for the circumstances surrounding Ms. Quick’s troublesome petition filing, but also for why she was subsequently promoted to two leadership positions, and for Mr. Duvall’s role in both of these matters while serving as Chairman of their county committee.
Integrity First
When I watch the news, it sure seems like Democrats are willing to do anything – and I mean anything – to win elections and seize the levers of power at the national level. I have personally witnessed the same tendency among some Democrats in Harrisburg. And sadly, it looks like Democrats right here in Lebanon County are no different.
I understand there are people who disagree with my positions on public policy, but I do not believe there are many Lebanon County voters who condone apparent deception, fraud, or forgery. Nor would many approve of rewarding those responsible for such acts.
Public and party offices are positions of trust. That trust can only be offered to individuals who put integrity first.
You can learn more about my re-election campaign online at www.russdiamond.vote and by following my campaign page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/friendsofrussdiamond.
Questionable Pages Mentioned Above
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The one suspicious thing about the signatures is how legible they are.
Well, the Democrats are komrads and they are just doing komrad crap.