Bucks County, Pennsylvania has been the center of attention in recent months due to a number of controversial political issues. From school closures due to COVID-19 to debates about the county's leader, Cullen, and even participation in the Capitol insurrection, these issues have caused deep divisions among residents and have had a lasting impact on county politics. The school districts in Bucks County have been at the forefront of the debate surrounding school closures due to COVID-19. In January, the county was subject to controversy when critics and supporters of Cullen clashed. This conflict has brought to light latent resentments that have been simmering for some time.
Pennsylvania is a state that often reflects national politics in miniature. George Washington University has counted 63 Pennsylvania residents charged for their participation in the Capitol insurrection. Jonathan Lewis, a researcher in the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, warns that the way in which Jan. 6th was handled could open the door for other districts to follow suit.
Scott Overland, vice president of the Phoenixville Area School Board in Chester County, believes that the approval of Central Bucks for such “aggressive and hateful” policies is opening the door for other districts to follow suit. Fifty-two school board directors from 25 Pennsylvania school districts condemned the majority of the Central Bucks school board for “encouraging intolerance”, discrimination, and attacking LGBTQ students “for political ends”. Pat Poprik, who was a longtime president of the county's Republican Party, rejects any suggestion that the insurrection had a lasting impact on county politics. However, Bucks County was one of the states where the most people were arrested for breaking into the Capitol.
More than half of those arrested come from counties where President Joe Biden won more votes than Trump, such as Bucks. That count places Bucks County in the top 10 nationally, and three of those arrested so far have pleaded guilty to misdemeanors that could carry prison sentences of up to six months. The most controversial political issues in Bucks County include school closures due to COVID-19, debates about Cullen's leadership, intolerance and discrimination against LGBTQ students, and participation in the Capitol insurrection. These issues have caused deep divisions among residents and have had a lasting impact on county politics.
