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He ran for city treasurer and won in 1989, and served in the Democratic administration of then-Mayor Janice Stork. Sommers gained a reputation as a maverick of sorts when he clashed with the mayor and accused her administration of practicing "financial sleight of hand" with its capital budget.
Later, after running unsuccessfully for city controller, he ruffled some feathers within his party for his open support of Republican Charlie Smithgall, the pharmacist who served two terms as Lancaster mayor.
Smithgall remembered Sommers as a "good guy. A very good person."
"He loved the city, and he did everything he could. He and I — even though we had different political opinions — agreed on the direction the city should go," Smithgall said. "I can't say enough good about him."
Up until recently, Sommers continued to serve as a Democratic committeeman in the 8th Ward, an elected position he held for more than 20 years. But he did not let his party affiliation interfere with his duties at the candidates forum he dreamed up.
Sommers is well known for organizing the annual meet-the-candidates night, held every year since 1996, most recently at the AMVETS post on Fairview Avenue. The event has become a staple of the local scene.
Harold Sommers was loved by all, both Democrat and Republican.
I began attending City Council meetings in the summer of '04. Harold always said hello to me and had kind words of instruction and encouragement. He always sat on the aisle with a special pillow that marked his seat. I remember several instances when his cell phone would ring during the meeting and he'd begin talking on the phone oblivious to the meeting going on around him. He regularly attended until the beginning of the Gray administration and attended sporadically after that. The last time I saw Harold at City Council he was loudly trying to prove his point on a fiscal matter.
He did not care about a person's political affiliation, he cared about the person. He was endeared and respected by many. Last spring primary, Harold was the first one to call one of my friends with a vote tally from his polling station, a precinct that this person won. Harold was genuinely happy to be of help to anyone.
God bless you Harold. Rest in Peace.
