Val Arkoosh Set to Be Sworn in As Replacement Montgomery County Commissioner
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- The judges of Montgomery County, Pa. have selected Dr. Valerie Arkoosh to fill the vacancy on the county's board of commissioners created when Leslie Richards left to join Gov. Tom Wolf's cabinet.
If the name sounds familiar, that's because the anesthesiologist and nationally recognized public health expert from Springfield (Montgomery County), Pa. ran a failed campaign in the Democratic primary for the 13th District congressional seat last year.
Today, she said she's excited about joining the board and looks forward to governing the county along with fellow commissioners Josh Shapiro and Bruce Castor.
"I believe that when the right people are in the right seats in government and they work together and they are respectful of each other's viewpoints, great things can happen for the constituents they represent," she said.
She says she plans to hit the ground running and is more than just a placeholder on the board. She adds that she plans to run for her seat, alongside Shapiro, this year.
In recommending Arkoosh to the county's judges, Shapiro said he was looking for someone prepared to govern now, with the political skills to keep the job. He was also looking for vision and leadership, he said.
Arkoosh will be sworn in tomorrow morning.