Al Lindsay, Butler County's Republican committee chairman, has responded to remarks by an unsuccessful candidate for office, saying new endorsement policies were intended to make the process fairer.

Ryan Covert, who lost a primary election against state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, in June, accused the process of being unfair, claiming it benefits those who have had years to build connections and that the committee favored Mustello.

In essence, he argued, the endorsement process pins Goliath against David, likening himself to the latter.

But Lindsay said the endorsement process — which first was seen in action for the 2020 primaries — opened up public office to more potential candidates who may have been discouraged by the prior process of seeking an endorsement from an individual “power broker” in the county.

“The idea was a lot of good candidates were discouraged from running for office because they'd go to these power brokers, who had the money, and they were told it wasn't their turn. They were told there were other candidates in line and they didn't run,” Lindsay said. “We think (the new process is) a much fairer process than what was there.”

Covert said he thought a committee endorsement was inherently unfair in primary elections, but Lindsay again said the new process makes it more fair. He added the county GOP doesn't yet know the specific effects of its endorsements, although all endorsed candidates won their elections.

Lindsay also said that first-time office-seekers like Covert likely would face difficulties in their quest for office because they're not fully familiar with the process, something with which Mustello didn't struggle given her experience.

“I think Ryan appeared to be a good candidate, and I hope that he would run again,” Lindsay said. “That's the way it goes. Any time you run for public office the first time around, you don't know the ropes.”

He also challenged Covert to produce documents showing his claims the state Republican party poured more than $1 million into three state House races in the county, adding the county committee only bought newspaper ads for the endorsed candidates.

Lindsay said he wanted to explain to the public what the endorsement process was, both before and after the newly implemented changes.

“He can say what he wants; I don't care,” Lindsay said. “But I think some people are upset about the fact he participated in the endorsement process, and he (criticizes) the endorsement process.”