New head for Montco Democrats

NORRISTOWN After 21 years as chairman of the Montgomery County Democratic Party, Marcel Groen stepped down last week, and former vice chairman Joe Foster was elected to replace him.

Groen, a lawyer from Abington, was elected in September to chair the state Democratic Party but retained his county role through the November municipal election.

During his tenure, Montgomery County switched from a Republican stronghold to a Democratic lead in voter registration and fund-raising.

Come January, Democrats will hold every county row office with the exception of the one commissioner seat reserved for the minority party.

"Marcel will be a very difficult act to follow," said Foster, who lives in Bala Cynwyd and teaches American history at Temple University.

Moving forward, Foster said, his primary goals will be to maintain party unity and begin assessing state legislative seats that may be vulnerable to a Democratic switch. - Jessica Parks