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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2022
YORK, PA – In a historical upset, frustrated voters rebuked the Harrisburg establishment in May and ousted three long-time GOP incumbents from York and Lehigh Counties. Grassroots and business groups throughout the commonwealth engaged in the political process at a level not seen since PA’s infamous pay-raise.
Many elected officials can’t understand voters’ discontent, so allow us to explain. At a time when Pennsylvanians were desperately struggling to maintain their livelihoods, educate their children, and protect their freedoms, too many legislators were nowhere to be found. As constituents pleaded for help, they were more often than not ignored, dismissed, or patronized by their legislators.
Business and grassroots groups organized to hold elected officials accountable and replace those who failed to do what they promised. They were successful in replacing the GOP Appropriations Chairs in both the House and Senate, along with a 20-year House incumbent, as well as securing victories for several liberty and free-market principled candidates in numerous open seats throughout the state.
Demonstrating just how disconnected they are from the people, House Speaker Bryan Cutler and Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff, with the support of their House leadership team, chose to once again ignore the voters and engage in childish antics by stripping Representatives Mike Jones and Dave Zimmerman of their committee assignments. Leaders sanctioned Jones for endorsing two candidates who soundly defeated 30-year incumbent Stan Saylor and 20-year incumbent Keith Gillespie. They sanctioned Zimmerman for the perception that he opposed incumbent Senator, Ryan Aument (a senator who has voted for massive spending increases, aborted fetus experiment funding, red flag legislation, a gas tax, and progressive education policy). Ironically, while House Leadership feigned outrage with Jones and Zimmerman, they themselves were busy undermining conservative incumbents in western Pennsylvania.
There is so much opportunity for a strong Republican party in Pennsylvania, but we can only achieve this with leaders who embrace and adhere to core conservative Republican principles.
Sadly, the current actions of House Leaders (blacklisting and undermining conservative members who challenge the status quo) only divides the party and feeds our adversaries.
With this understanding we call on PA House Leadership to reverse their bullyish treatment of Representatives Jones and Zimmerman. As we head into the ever-important Fall general election, the Republican party must be strong, unified, and positioned to win, NOT
bitter, disjointed, and engaged in selfish infighting. Let’s right this wrong so we can move forward together.
“It is time legislators stand up for real people, listen to their constituents, and act in a manner that reflects why they were voted into office in the first place.”
Grassroots Unite PA (GRUPA) is a coalition of independent grassroots groups that serves as a communication and planning platform for ideas, resources and events, organized for the preserve liberty and the promotion of community through faith-based, Christian principles to ensure our government is OF the people, BY the people and FOR the people.