Local GOP urges voters to turn out
FRANKLIN TWP — Republican Party leaders urged Butler County voters to turn out for the upcoming primary at the annual Spirit of Lincoln Dinner at the Atrium Friday.
Butler County Republican Party Chairman Ed Natali, who announced that he isn't seeking a third term as chairman, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd, and state House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-28th, who has suspended his campaign for governor, urged the 200 party members at the dinner to energize Republican voters to turn out for the May 15 primary.
“It's been an amazing 13 months,” Natali said about President Donald Trump's time in office.
However he called for a strong turnout for the primary to avoid a repeat of the 2014 mid-term election in which a 20 to 25 percent voter turnout was a factor in Republican losses.
“It's important that we get out and vote in every election,” Natali said.
He pledged to remain active in the GOP, but said he also believes the local party needs a new leader.
Kelly thanked Natali and his wife Julie Natali for their work on behalf of the party.
“None of us got here by ourselves,” Kelly said.
He criticized the state Supreme Court for redrawing the congressional district map boundaries, and Democratic U.S. Sen Bob Casey Jr.
“When the Supreme Court decides to meddle in the election something is wrong,” Kelly said. “They have a decision to turn their backs on 200 years of constitutional law.”
The court has a 5-2 Democratic majority and it changed the map to help Democratic candidates because they are “tired of losing and we're going to do something about it,” Kelly said.
State Rep. Jim Christiana, R-15th, the only candidate who attended the dinner, is also seeking the nomination to run against Casey.
“I wish Western Pennsylvania had a senator that represents Western Pennsylvania values,” Christiana said.
A full story appears in Monday's Butler Eagle.
