Perry Bentley
Unionville’s Perry Bentley announced Tuesday that he would mount a write-in campaign for the Republican nomination for State Representative in the 158th District, just a day after Lenny Rivera ended his bid for the seat.
In a letter addressed to Chester County Republican Committee members and the voters of the 158th legislative district, Bentley announced his write-in campaign for the Republican nomination:
“Due to circumstances beyond the control of Republican voters in the 158th Legislative District, there will be no Republican candidate for State Representative on the ballot for the April 26th Primary. After a period of consultation with friends, family, and community leaders, I am announcing my candidacy as a Republican in the 158th Legislative District,” Bentley wrote.
He said he seeks to support the legacy of retiring State Rep. Chris Ross by running for the seat.
“I will not let the legacy of Representative Chris Ross be diminished by allowing a Democrat to take office without any conservative, Republican opposition,” he said.
“The opening on the ballot with less than 30 days before the Primary Election requires decisive action,” he said. “Republicans in the 158th Legislative District need a well-organized, principled, and hard-working candidate with the campaign resources to defeat the Democrats. The Republican candidate must immediately launch a campaign that can quickly gain voter support and educate the public on how to cast a write-in vote.”
Bentley noted that he sought the nomination earlier, but agreed to step aside when the county committee backed another candidate.
“I announced my candidacy for the 158th last year only to withdraw from the process because the Chester County Republican Committee chose to endorse another candidate,” Bentley said. “I happily supported that candidate, but unfortunately he is no longer running.”
He said he expects this to be a very exciting election season — with high turn out from local voters.
“The excitement of this year’s Presidential election has already driven out Republican voters in record numbers,” he said. I believe I am the only person who has the commonsense conservative principles, organization and financial resources to reach every Republican voter who will vote this April and educate them on how to write in a candidate.”
Last, he said he will hit the ground running, with a campaign ready to go.
“I am ready to run today. I have the resources, desire and ability to mount an effective campaign to secure the Republican nomination on April 26th. I pledge to run a campaign that will do all that is necessary to win.
“My campaign’s mission will be to send Chester County’s values of commonsense reform and fiscal sanity to Harrisburg,” he said.
Those interested in more information on Bentley can reach his campaign via email at PerryForRep@Gmail.com.
