‘Out of space:’ Casey touts funding for WRC building project amid Senate race recount

SCRANTON — With a statewide recount recently triggered in a tight race he likely lost, Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey spent Monday morning in his hometown touting federal funding for a nonprofit supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

The $350,000 in federal money Casey secured for WRC: We Respect and Care, formerly known as the Women's Resource Center, will help the organization cover the broader cost of a building project officials hope to start next spring. Plans entail the construction of a new building on a lot adjoining the nonprofit's current Hill Section headquarters.

"With survivors' needs growing ... we're just totally out of space," said WRC Executive Director Peg Ruddy, who called the federal allocation "the cornerstone" of the estimated $1.2 million project. "When we're able to get the federal money then we can leverage other money when other funders know that we have that, and the senator has been wonderful to us over the years."

The new building would be used primarily for office space, freeing up more room in WRC's primary Scranton facility for support groups and counseling, crisis intervention and similar services. The federal funding complements a state Local Share Account grant, local foundation support and private donations, with efforts to secure additional funds for the project ongoing.

Democratic Sen. Bob Casey Jr. visits the WRC in Scranton on Monday to discuss a planned expansion at the facility. WRC provides support and safety for those facing domestic violence, sexual assault, abuse, stalking, or human trafficking. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)

Democratic Sen. Bob Casey Jr. visits the WRC in Scranton on Monday to discuss a planned expansion at the facility. WRC provides support and safety for those facing domestic violence, sexual assault, abuse, stalking, or human trafficking. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)

Democratic Sen. Bob Casey Jr. visits the WRC in Scranton on Monday to discuss a planned expansion at the facility. WRC provides support and safety for those facing domestic violence, sexual assault, abuse, stalking, or human trafficking. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)

Before inspecting the project site, Casey met with WRC leaders and officials to discuss the proposed build and the nonprofit's important work more broadly.

Among those gathered for that discussion was Tyaisha Leary, whose ex-boyfriend intentionally set a 2009 fire at her Scranton home that killed two of her young sons. Leary, who Ruddy called "a true survivor," credited WRC with supporting her "tremendously."

"I probably wouldn't be where I am without the support that I've had from them over the years," she said. "It's very important that the funding and things keep going so that the community can grow and know that there is a great foundation here for them."

Casey called the organization's work "absolutely essential."

"You save people's lives," he said. "You give people the strength to be survivors and to keep going and to be an example for others."

The senator also evoked a line from President John F. Kennedy's 1961 inaugural address, recalling the late president saying that "here on earth God's work must truly be our own."

"I can't think of an organization in this whole region that does God's work on a daily basis more than you do," Casey said. "Every legislator that comes in front of you — local, state or federal — should try to help you. ... There's plenty of money out there if you have your values straight."

Monday's meeting with WRC officials came nearly two weeks after polls closed in a Senate race the Associated Press and Decision Desk HQ have already called for Casey's opponent, Republican Army veteran and former hedge fund CEO Dave McCormick. Casey has yet to concede the race, the close margin of which prompted a statewide recount that must be completed by Nov. 26.

McCormick led with about 17,789 votes separating the candidates as of Monday afternoon, a deficit Casey is very unlikely to overcome.

The race has also been the subject of considerable litigation and controversy over the counting of certain ballots marred by errors or omissions. Election boards controlled by Democrats in Bucks, Centre, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties recently voted to count mail ballots lacking a date on the return envelope or bearing an incorrect date, defying a pre-Election Day ruling by the state Supreme Court that such ballots cannot be counted.

Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser and GOP party officials harshly criticized the counties' conduct, particularly in Bucks and Montgomery, during a Monday press call.

"This election is over," Meuser said. "There's no mathematical way to achieve what the Casey folks apparently think they can achieve."

On Monday afternoon, the state Supreme Court ordered counties not to count mail-in ballots that lack a correct handwritten date on the return envelope.

A recount is automatically triggered under state law when the final margin between two candidates falls at or within 0.5%. The Casey/McCormick race marks the eighth time since the passage of Act 97 of 2004 that the recount provision has been triggered, the state Department of State said last week.

The initial results of the prior elections were affirmed in all four cases where the recounts were carried out, the department said.

The newspaper spoke with Casey on Monday prior to the GOP press call.

"I just want to make sure that we count all the votes and we're a ways from that," he said. "We'll see what happens when the recount is completed, but this is a process that should be completed so that every voter who cast an eligible ballot has their voice heard."