At this time last Friday, political pundits were claiming that the Pennsylvania State Republican Committee’s nomination for Superior Judge would go to State Senator Jane Earll. Republican Party leadership was lobbying hard for her, claiming that as a “moderate” pro-choice woman with high name recognition, she would be more “electable” than pro-life candidate Jackie Shogan.
Never mind the fact that the Republican State Committee’s Statement of Principles contains a pro-life plank. Never let principles get in the way of winning an election!
In an encouraging vote that went against the Republican Party leadership, on Saturday, the 250 + members of the Republican State Committee elected Jackie Shogan to appear on this fall’s ballot.
While this is a refreshing victory, reform is badly needed. There is still a “comfortable culture on anonymity” at State Committee meetings. When I served as county chair, I was surprised to discover that individual votes are not published. Attendance is not published. In Butler County, we had state committee members who missed half of all state committee meetings. At election time, we had state committee members seeking re-election passing out campaign material claiming to be pro-life when in fact, they voted to endorse pro-choice candidates over pro-life candidates.
Short of driving out to Harrisburg and observing the votes, it is difficult for the average voter to know if their state committee members represented their values, much less if they even bothered to show up.
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