Welcome to the O'Keeffe 2010 website. Patrick O'Keeffe is the Democratic candidate for the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives in the 97th district. The district includes all of Warwick Township, almost all of Manheim Township and one precinct in East Petersburg Borough.

Patrick resides in Lititz with his wife and two children. He is running for the State House of Representatives because he believes that citizen legislators instead of career politicians should represent constituents. He believes that government should represent the people instead of special interests. Patrick O'Keeffe also believes that the state government in Harrisburg needs to be reformed.

The Lancaster County Democratic Women's Association has endorse O'Keeffe for the state house. Patrick is committed to ensuring a woman’s right to decide when and if she will have children. He is committed to programs that will reduce the causes for abortions including strengthen equal pay for equal work legislation.

A year ago, like many of my neighbors, I had not even heard of Marcellus Shale.  The Marcellus Shale is a large underground rock formation that covers about 60% of the state of Pennsylvania.  If has long been suspected to contain vast quantities of natural gas.  A technology called “Fracking” has been developed that will allow companies to extract the natural gas from the Marcellus Shale profitably.  Still this process is not effective in removing all the gas from the shale and has people concerned about the safety of the environment and surrounding communities.

William Pitt said two hundred years ago, “Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it.”  While we do not have unlimited power in state government, there can be no denying that the acquisition and accumulation of power has been a corrupting influence in Harrisburg.  With power acquired through long terms in office, party bosses call the shots with ambitious career politicians currying favor and vying for position in hopes of becoming one of the bosses someday. More...

I fully support House Bill 1275 which would eliminate the school property tax and establish a clear equitable revenue source for education in our state.

The School Property Tax Elimination Act has bipartisan support.  By not limiting myself to partisan game playing or the wishes and whims of party leadership, I am able to fully embrace what is an intelligent effective plan.  My opponent voted against this bill.  More...

It was interesting appearing on the Bob Durgin Show. I believe that you never learn anything of value if you only talk with people who agree with you all of the time. I did get a kick out of the people who doubted my sincerity on property tax elimination and government reform. More...

Patrick was interviewed by Bob Durgin, WHP508 Talk Radio, on Monday, July 26th, at 3:00 pm about his support of HB 1275. The School Property Tax Elimination Act has bipartisan support and is currently being pushed by the Pennsylvania Taxpayers Cyber Coalition. The Coalition is an eclectic group of advocacy organization who have banned together to reform the manner in which Pennsylvania funds its public schools.

Listen the podcasts: scroll list to 7/26/2010.

It is pretty obvious to anyone that the current budget process does not result in a responsible sustainable budget.  It is not so much about taxes, spending, or budget cutting.  The government itself needs fundamental change. More...

Citizens are waking up to this type of chicanery, promising the voters that there are painless easy solutions. Smoke and mirror gimmickry are not the solution and will exacerbate the problem. 

I believe calling for a Constitutional Convention is the only way that we can rescue our state government from career politicians.  The sum total of reforms needed to fix our crisis of corruption is just too large to address by any other means.  More...

Dinner and Music with Patrick

Friday, Sept. 24th from 6:30 - 10:00 pm

Join Patrick O'Keeffe in the Underground on Friday, Sept. 24th for a delightful Vegetarian Dinner.

Many fundraisers feature the "same old, same old". This fundraiser will appeal to vegetarians and every one else because PATRICK IS COOKING.

The menu will feature locally grown produce prepared exquisitely to tempt and satisfy the most ardent meat lover and to assure our supporters who are vegetarian that there will be something to accommodate their food preferences.

Patrick supports "Buy Fresh, Buy Local." He supports small farms and the working families that produce the products that are fresh and healthy food.

Join us at the Underground on Friday evening on September 24th for a evening of good food and great entertainment.

Click here to purchase tickets for this fundraising event...

Bobbi and Anne Carmitchell will be the featured entertainment for the evening.

The Underground is located at the rear entrance to the Lancaster County Democratic Headquarters at 53 N. Duke St. in Lancaster City. Directions...

I am pleased to announce that Pauline Pittenger will be the Honorary Chair of the O'Keeffe 2010 campaign.

A few months ago, the Commonwealth mourned for the passing of her husband, John Pittenger - a beloved Democrat, former Secretary of Education and mentor to many in Lancaster County and across the state.

I am humbled by Pauline's willingness to serve as our campaign's Honorary Chair. I value her friendship and I value her life's work. Her life-time Democratic values are an inspiration to me and every member of the O'Keeffe 2010 campaign committee.

Patrick O'Keeffe
Candidate for the 97th district State House

The Tuesday, June 30th meeting of the Lancaster County Commissioners confirmed something that I have believed for a long time – “politics matters”. 

I attended the County Commissioners’ meeting with over a hundred of our neighbors.  It appears that two of our Commissioners have decided to eliminate our county Human Relations Commission.  This is the organization that provides one of the most basic and important functions of government in America, protecting the people from the powerful. More...