Politics & Government

Republicans Unite in Upper St. Clair

The annual Upper St. Clair Republican Committee Dinner took place Thursday night at St. Clair Country Club.

Every year there's a presidential campaign, you hear people say it's the most important election ever.

"This year, it may very well be true," said Jim Roddey, chairman of the Allegheny County Republican Committee.

He said no president has ever won the presidency without winning Pennsylvania. Roddey predicts southeast Pennsylvania will vote Democrat and central Pennsylvania will vote Republican.

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"Western Pennsylvania could be the defining factor for one of the most important races for the presidential election," Roddey said.

Roddey spoke at on Thursday night, along with Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley, during the annual Upper St. Clair Republican Committee Dinner.

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"Get ready Mr. President, we (the Republicans) are ready for you," Cawley said.

Cawley said in 2011, Republicans took 13 courthouses out of Democrat control in Pennsylvania.

"We sent a clear message last November: We are ready to take back the courthouses. Now we're ready to take back the White House," Cawley said.

Cawley also defended .

"We are choosing the road of fiscal responsibility. And yes, challenging everybody with some hard decisions," he said. "There are challenges ahead, but we are on the right track.

"Gov. Corbett and I believe the best days are ahead. Pennsylvania is on a road to recovery, and sometimes that road is uphill. I believe the same can be true for America."

State Rep. John Maher, an resident who is running unopposed in his re-election bid for the House seat and is also running for state auditor general, also spoke during Thursday night's dinner.

"Having an auditor in the auditor general position seems to make sense," he said. "You can't fight fraud without finding fraud. Let me at it."

Maher founded the CPA auditing firm Maher Duessel.

U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, also an Upper St. Clair resident, had his wife Nan speak on his behalf.

She said her husband has received many recognitions and accolades over the years, but the one that he cherishes the most is when the student section at an Upper St. Clair High School basketball game started chanting his name this year.

Murphy's Republican challenger, new Upper St. Clair resident Evan Feinberg, had his campaign manager Michael Lyons attend the dinner.

Some other politicians in attendance included former Mt. Lebanon Commissioner D. Raja and state Rep. Mark Mustio, of Moon Township, who are running for the 37th district state Senate seat. Sue Means of Bethel Park, who is also running for Sen. John Pippy's seat, was not at the event.

In addition, Allegheny County Councilman Vince Gastgeb attended and spoke at the dinner.

Roddey ended the night telling the Upper St. Clair Republican Committee that they have "been like a rock" and that their "work and support is appreciated and vital."


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