Haag

Robert Haag got a late start in politics. Back when he was a young man, Americans couldn't vote at age 18.

Like many others, Haag, now 62, had to wait until he turned 21 to cast his first vote.

Almost "everyone else has a three-year jump on me," the Windsor Township resident joked.

Since he cast his first vote, Haag's life has revolved around politics -- more specifically, the Democratic Party.

Last week, he was honored with the 2012 Democrat of the Year award by the Democratic Society of York during the society's 120th Annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner at the Holiday Inn Holidome in West Manchester Township.

Long list: Haag joins a long list of fellow Democrats to receive the award.

Past recipients include York City Mayor Kim Bracey, former York City Mayor John Brenner, former York County Commissioner Shirley Glass and state Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York City.

"To be included in that group, it's an honor," Haag said.

Dorothy Sweeney, the society's president, said Haag was selected because of his commitment to the Democratic Party at the local, state and national levels.

When Ed Rendell was making his first bid for the governor's office in 2002, he stopped in York County. In a meeting, Rendell paid Haag one of the greatest compliments he's received, Haag said.

Rendell referred to Haag as "the glue that holds York County (Democrats) together," Haag recalled.

"That meant a lot to me," he said.

About Robert Haag

Robert Haag, 2012 Democrat of the Year award winner, has been involved with the Democratic Party of York County, as well as state-level politics, for more than 40 years.

Here's a look what he has done in that time:

---Local committeeman for nearly 40 years in Windsor borough and Windsor Township.

---President of the Southern York County Democratic Club for eight years.

---Member of the local Democratic Party Executive Committee for more than 18 years.

---York County Democratic Party chairman from 2002 to 2006.

---Member of the Democratic State Committee for 16 years.

---Member of the state party executive committee for 12 years.

---Secretary/treasurer for South Central Pennsylvania Caucus for four years.

---Chairman of the caucus for eight years