Citizens group demands open primaries, calls upon area political leaders to “let the voters decide.”
SEE RELATED Philly Future NEWS FLASH: Party Endorsement Process "Undemocratic"
The grassroots citizens group PACleanSweep has come out in opposition to the Chester County Republican Party’s premature endorsement of candidates in the 156th and 167th legislative districts.
“Given the unprecedented public criticism of our state legislature and how recently these retirements were announced, endorsing candidates at this point is inappropriate,” said PACleanSweep Chester County Coordinator Mike Bergmaier. “These endorsements are a complete slap in the face of Chester County voters.”
Candidates cannot even begin circulating nominating petitions until mid-February. Rep. Robert Flick (167) announced his retirement in December. Rep. Elinor Z. Taylor (156) announced hers just two weeks ago.
“The intense public reaction to the pay-raise debacle shows that voters are fed up with shady backroom politics and the out-of-touch leadership we have in Harrisburg,” argued Bergmaier.
Instead of recognizing this and holding an open primary, local Republican leaders engaged in more backroom politics. In the case of 156th district candidate Shannon Royer, GOP leaders backed a close ally and staffer of maligned pay raise architect John Perzel.
PACleanSweep was quick to commend those within the county GOP who fought for a fair and open primary. The Daily Local News reported that several GOP committeemen, including Hugh Purnell and Dr. Robert White, pushed for an open primary.
“There are roughly 60,000 Republican voters in the 156th and 167th districts, and the taxpayers are paying for an election to decide who wins that nomination,” noted Bergmaier. “Those voters should be able select their nominee from a level playing field. Having 56 people choosing candidates or expending party resources defeats the purpose of free and fair elections, and will alienate many voters.”
Royer told reporters that the endorsement vote showed Republicans were “unified as a party.”
“It’s a contested primary. There’s clearly no unity. 53 party officials throwing support to John Perzel’s handpicked candidate doesn’t demonstrate unity. It demonstrates puppetry,” replied Bergmaier.
PACleanSweep has directed a statewide challenge to Pennsylvania’s political parties to ensure greater transparency and voter input by opting not to endorse candidates prior to the May primary election.
“2006 will see more contested legislative races than any year in recent history,” said PACleanSweep Chair Russ Diamond in an open letter to the Republican and Democratic State Committees. “Voters are demanding real choices. Party leaders who interfere in contested primaries do a disservice to their party, its members, and the spirit of a free electoral system.”
“Primary elections exist to allow the party’s rank and file to choose the nominee,” said PACleanSweep Strategic Director Mike Bergmaier. “The party endorsement process is undemocratic as it disenfranchises the vast majority of voters.”
Diamond noted that Pennsylvania’s current political climate makes the case for open primaries even more compelling. Public outrage over the legislative payjacking cuts across party lines, and voters increasingly feel that political elites are out of touch with the people they represent.
“Pennsylvanians spend millions of dollars on primary elections, and we deserve our money’s worth,” concluded Diamond.
Click here to read Diamond's open letter to Pennsylvania's GOP/Democratic big-wigs.
About PACleanSweep
PACleanSweep is a non-partisan effort dedicated to defeating incumbent elected officials in Pennsylvania and replacing them with true public servants. For more information, please visit www.PACleanSweep.com
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