MacArthur learned of the Democrats’ meeting at the Gibson House Community Center while leaving the office he also rents there.
The Evesham Township Democratic Committee had a surprise guest at its meeting on Tuesday when Republican Rep. Tom MacArthur popped in the basement of the Gibson House Community Center.
MacArthur had just finished a meeting with Action Together Burlington County, an organization that had been protesting at his office at the Gibson House the previous Friday, when MacArthur noticed a sign advertising the latest meeting of Evesham Democrats taking place downstairs.
“So, I walked in,” MacArthur said in a release posted to his Facebook page. “Yes, a Republican congressman dropping in to a meeting of local Democrats to talk with them about some very serious concerns they had.”
As Republican politicians across the nation have faced town hall meetings packed with critical constituents and protesters, in recent weeks MacArthur has faced criticism from some local groups and residents for his decision to hold telephone events where residents call in with questions, rather than events where constituents could question MacArthur in person.
However, MacArthur described his surprise meeting with Evesham’s Democrats as a meeting without any yelling or pointing of fingers.
“We talked honestly and respectfully. We certainly disagreed in some areas, but we did it respectfully,” MacArthur said.
Phil Warren, chair of the Evesham Township Democratic Committee, also described MacArthur’s visit as positive.
“We’re just good, normal people, and he showed respect to us and we were respectful back,” Warren said. “We know that we can disagree but still have good conversations and still have good debate between us that gets the point across.”
Warren said MacArthur spoke the group for 15 to 20 minutes and took questions on topics such as immigration, border security, money in politics and gerrymandering and the Affordable Care Act.
“It was just the hot topics. Nobody was really prepared, so it was just what people could think of after we realized we had this opportunity,” Warren said.
Overall, Warren said he and those at the meeting welcomed the visit, but noted several attendees shared their belief that the visit was no substitute for town hall meetings where residents from MacArthur’s entire district could address him in person.
“It’s a great moment regardless of party when you get to talk to your representatives,” Warren said.
MacArthur said he genuinely cherished moments such as the meeting with Evesham’s Democrats, and stated a belief the country would be better off if Republicans and Democrats could commit to working together.
“Neither party has a lock on good ideas, and all should have their imprint on where we go as a nation,” MacArthur said.
