To The Editor,
I recently read Mike McGann’s column regarding the 2016 election. Let me say first that I have generally been impressed with your political analysis, which (while having a Democrat tilt) was generally unbiased and on the mark. Any pretense of that type of balanced analysis, however, seems to have been lost in the divisiveness of this year’s election.
Case in point is your recent column which, while masquerading as insightful political analysis, is nothing more than wishful Democrat party thinking. As Chairman of the Chester County GOP, I have been privy to a number of polls in recent weeks, and I’d like to set the record straight on a few of your incorrect observations.
After reading the results of Susan Rzucidlo’s internal polling, you believe the results suggest that this is a winnable race for this three-time failed candidate in the 158th State House District. However, your column in this regard is more political spin than true analysis. Our polling has consistently shown that Eric Roe is leading significantly, both on the generic ballot of Republican vs. Democrat and on the informed ballot.
Post primary season, Eric has continued to knock thousands of doors, as well as host three well-attended fundraisers this summer, not to mention more to come throughout the fall. It is short-sighted to be so dismissive about Eric’s campaign and fundraising, especially in a district where polling and election results consistently demonstrate that voters value Republican ideals, such as smaller government, lower taxes and pension reform. Eric also has the full backing of the Chester County GOP, with a strong compliment of over 400 committeepeople and, I assure you, an ample war chest of funds.
While you deride Eric’s youth, you also fail to mention his intelligence, qualifications, and civic engagement. Indeed, Susan may be older, but she lacks sophistication, foresight, and the ability to govern across party lines, as evidenced by her recent immature commentaries on our Chester County GOP Facebook page.
We have seen similar polling results for other candidates, like Lloyd Smucker – who will replace Congressman Pitts. Like voters in Eric Roe’s district, voters in Lloyd Smucker’s congressional district value the highly qualified and thoughtful candidates the GOP supports – as opposed to the ideologues whom the Democrats (generally speaking) offer us each election cycle.
Due to the reasoned, thoughtful and professional GOP leadership, Chester County is one of America’s greatest counties by every measure. With candidates like Eric Roe, Lloyd Smucker, Congressmen Pat Meehan and Ryan Costello, we will keep it that way.
I hope that after Labor Day, readers of this news outlet will be provided with the facts.
Val DiGiorgio
Chairman, Chester County GOP
Go to this link if you want to know what really goes on in the Republican party. This is last years but it’s still relevant. Yes, Chesco is so clean.
http://billlawrenceonline.com/chester-county-gop-purging-conservatives/
Eric Roe is everything we don’t need representing us. I am a Christian woman and I believe in the separation of Church and State. I am familiar with the John Jay Institute and you should all look it up. Its frightening that any faith would send forth people to run our government. Being a Christian is not the first thing I look at in a candidate, in fact I don’t look at that at all. My faith is private and I feel everyone else’s is too. On the Eric Roe for Pa State Rep Facebook page there are comments about America needing Christians running and about needing more Christian leadership. This disturbs me greatly. We don’t need an Apostle, we need a representative. Someone who will represent Christians, Muslims, Jews, Agnostics and Atheists. I don’t know what Chris Ross’ faith was nor did I care – I just wanted him to represent my values and he did. Eric Roe will not and that’s why, after meeting Susan at my door, I’m voting for her. She’s a mature adult who pays taxes like I do, who has worked privately as I have, who believes that government should stay out of our private lives as I do and is someone I feel I can trust to not listen to her party about what to do and how to vote. I think she’ll listen to us. I don’t trust a kid especially when he doesn’t have the courage to put anything on his website to tell us what he’s about. Our state does not have time for him to catch up on life.
The first newspaper article I read about Roe was sickening. He sounded like he worshiped his Chairman and couldn’t stop gushing about him. Warning Warning…. Politician ahead.
Ms. DiGiorgio, you’re asking us to have faith in the GOP that they’ve picked the right candidate and will help him win the election? Can I remind you that you’ve struggled as a party to even get a decent candidate? How many dropped out? And why? Some some college grad wins the write-in, and that’s your guy. If Chester County is so full of GOP history and values, why is it so hard for you all to find a candidate that can go to the primary, win, and then go to the general?
Well, I shouldn’t be surprised. Seems much of the GOP is willing to stick with their candidate….no matter who it is.
Please explain to me how a kid as young as he is, with as little experience as he has….can begin to understand what a family like mine deals with every day. Yes, I love Chester County too, but it is not easy to live here. It’s very expensive, parts of it are very congested, and while our schools are good–they are not without struggles of their own too, particularly when it comes to funding.
It takes a lot more than knocking on doors to understand what your average Chester County family deals with.
Dear Val:
Wanna bet? I’ve got $50 that says the voters in the 158th are smart enough to see that Eric Roe is not-ready-for-primetime and that his ‘Christian values’ agenda does not represent them and is dangerous to the district, state and nation. Bottom line: He’s no Chris Ross and he’s wrong for the 158th.
The cost of local and state government has grown out of control, and Mr. Roe represents an example of a political payback job that drives that problem. He is the “administrative assistant” for a county council member?
I agree with Mr. Roe about cutting the cost and size of state government, but his position seems to be at odds with the author of this letter that the appropriate spending (which equates to taxing) levels is very appropriate. Sounds like Mr. Roe’s talking points (probably written by one of his 400 volunteers) maybe out of touch with reality. Is he saying the Republican controlled legislature is failing to be cost effective and efficient?
There’s a lot happening at the Gov Service Center that isn’t on the up and up. Directors are hired because of their political connections- look at the new Voter Service Director. Last year they paid the former director to come back just for election at a high price. Several years ago they laid off quite a few people only to hire their political friends under a different classification. Now, they plan to hire another 20-25 people for a new dept. Where is the smaller local government? I wasn’t pleased to see the $5 fee applied to my car registration compliments of the Commissioners. It’s all about the Rep party and its crooked.
Val’s right. The local races are over at this point. You can’t argue against the fact that the local GOP has been wildly effective both in campaigns and governing. Healthiest, wealthiest, most educated county in PA? Best schools in America? Top 20 best managed county government in America? Continually recognized as one of the best places to live in America? GOP leading government for over 150 years? Thank you Republicans!
Regardless whatever nonsense happens on the national level, we know Chester County is in good hands with common sense, local, GOP leadership.
Renee??? Don’t confuse national politics with local. GOP does it right in Chester County.
Dan??? I hope you feel better man. Sounds like you’re not well. Go get a lollipop and walk Longwood Gardens. It might cheer you up. Smooches. :-*
Roe is an unelectable, gay-bashing kid in the most socially moderate district in our county. If he doesn’t lose this time, he’ll lose to a better challenger. Great job Val
You lost me at “reasoned, thoughtful and professional GOP leadership”. Obstructionist, divisive and petulant is what you should have written regarding Chester County GOP.
Let’s take a walk down memory lane with the 158th district. Two years ago the Republican Party endorsed Cuyler Walker. Rumors flew about him being inappropriate with students and Val and the party let him continue on the ballot until the rumors were so strong, Walker was thrown out his law firm and he was under criminal investigation-then they went to court – after the legal date to withdrawal and had Chris Ross put back in. This year, they endorsed Lenny, who was poorly advised , and he falsified petitions so he withdrew. Then the write in election ended up with Eric winning. Full disclosure- I was for Bentley.
Eric Roe doesn’t have one position on his website- really? Susan has them on on hers.
Having seen his resume I can only say he was groomed to be a politician- only has worked in politics- Republican Natl Committee, The American Conservative Union, Let Freedom Ring all in DC and now for Commissioner Kitchline in PA. And lets not forget that he is Secretary and member of Americans for Christian Traditions in our Nation (ACTION PA). All this and he’s only 27 years old? Really? I was for Bentley but now I will vote for Susan.
As for Facebook – I saw Facebook when the comment was accidentally made- big deal-she even responded with an apology that she thought she was face-booking back to a friend. Had it been me it wouldn’t have been such polite a comment in the first place.
The Republican party is no longer my party.
(Editor’s note: comment was edited to remove non-germaine comments about family members — let’s keep things on point, folks.)
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