Vote Tuesday April 24th 2012. Polls are open from 7am to 8pm. Visit VotesPA to find your polling place and see other voter information. Also don’t forget to bring your ID with you to the polls.

Here are some voters guides from around the state

• Pennsylvania Family Institute Voters Guide
• PA League of Women Voters Voters Guide
• PA Catholic Senate Voters Guide
• PA GOP Voter Guide
• Lancaster Republicans Voters Guide

Video on why you should vote from the Commonwealth Foundation

YouTube Link

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Steve Welch, appeared on KYW Newsmakers Sunday morning to discuss how he will restore fiscal responsibility to Washington and promote pro-growth policies to improve the economy and create jobs.

YouTube Link

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Last week in Hershey, the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania voted to endorse candidates for office in Pennsylvania’s 2012 Primary Election.  Hours later, the PA GOP emerged with a full slate of capable, qualified and endorsed candidates who will rely on the Party’s funds and volunteer network to help propel them to victory over their Democratic challengers in November.  As it happens during every election cycle, those on the periphery (and some from within) cry foul at the process and compare it to the Employee Free Choice Act (also known as “card check”).  In most Republican circles, accusing an institution of card check is nearly as polarizing as comparing one’s opponent to Adolf Hitler.

Those who are making these accusations argue that, to avoid arm-twisting and deals made in smoke-filled rooms amongst the party bosses, the elected State Committee Members have the right to cast a secret ballot in order to vote their conscience.  The argument continues to state that to do otherwise is the equivalent to imposing the will of an employer or a labor union, through threats and intimidation to cast votes in favor of unionization, therefore, until State Committee allows members to cast secret ballots, the endorsement process is a sham.

However, if the State Committee Members are elected by the public, should they not be held accountable for their votes to the public who elected them? Imagine the outcry if members of Congress had the ability to cast a secret ballot.  The very same individuals in opposition to card check would rightfully cry out against special interests being used to influence votes without the public being able to know where their elected officials stand.

The way the Committee is designed, the State Committee members must go back to the public and the members of the County Republican Committees who elect them, and be able to come up with a better reason for voting to endorse a particular candidate besides the popular “Corbett made me do it”.
If the will of the constituents is not respected by the State Committee, then the electorate has a responsibility to vote them out of office.

Additionally, let us not be under the illusion that these poor State Committee Members are receiving any financial benefit from their time on the committee, let alone, depending upon it for their livelihood.  Unlike employees fearful for their jobs, making decisions based on whether or not they will be able to provide for their families, these members choose to be part of the Committee, choose to be part of the process and have a responsibility to the voters they represent to stand upon their convictions.

Let’s be clear- card check is a dangerous tool of labor unions that have become instruments of the left wing.  The Employee Free Choice Act is neither for employees or free choice- and the State Committee endorsement does not resemble it in any way.

Whether or not the State Committee should endorse at all is a different conversation (See “Op-Ed ‘A Reason to Endorse‘”   however, as it looks as though this will continue to be the process, should it not be done in the light of day?

(Bill Coder is the former Executive Director of the Republican Committee of Lancaster County and a blogger with Keystone Conservative )

Permission to reprint is granted with credit to the author

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1. Guest Post – Tim Murphy’s Liberal Record

Despite a very heated race for US Senate in 2012 in Pennsylvania, and despite what appeared to be an imminent open primary, Steve Welch (WelchForPA.com) has taken the PA State Republican Committee endorsement. In a vote that appeared to be much closer from the outside, Welch won on the first ballot cast by simple majority. No small feat when you consider that there were 5 candidates vying for the endorsement. The Welch campaign had been gaining momentum with many endorsements from countywide officials over the last few weeks/months. However, an endorsement by Gov. Tom Corbett Friday launched Welch to the top.

However, at a time when we should be united towards one agenda, defeating Bob Casey- Barack Obama lite, 4 candidates had already made clear their intentions of running despite the State Committee endorsement. This will continue to be a race to watch very closely.

For now, the Welch campaign can and should celebrate their huge victory today!

For Steve Welch’s full remarks to the State Committee after the endorsement: Click Here.

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Updated 11/12/10 with new submissions

As Republicans painted the state of Pennsylvania red last week incumbent senator Bob Casey was taking a hard look at his chances for reelection in 2012. At this point no Republicans (that I am aware of) have announced a challenge to Senator Casey. But with the midterm elections over bloggers, having nothing to write about,  summarily discuss and toss around ideas of possible challengers to Senator Casey. Here is the Keystone Conservative list (in no particular order).

Pat Meehan

Previous candidate for Governor and Philly outlier, Meehan has as long history with PA politics and could easily jump into the 2012 Senate race. His big negative is his connections to former senator Arlen Specter.

Jim Gerlach

Another candidate for Governor and Philly outlier, Gerlach has the state wide name recognition and the party connections to jump into a GOP senate primary in 2011.

Joe Scarnati

The only lieutenant in the history of Pennsylvania to serve are as the Republican lieutenant governor with a sitting Democrat Governor. Scarnati, from Brockway PA, has the connections and decent statewide name recognition to throw his hat into the race.

Tom Ridge

Former PA Governor and director of homeland Security is another possibility. But after a failed recruitment attempt to run against Pat Toomey he may not want to run for Senate unless the way was cleared ahead of time.

Jake Corman

A rising star in Pennsylvania politics Corman (Senator from the 34th senatorial district) is another potential Casey challenger in 2012. He was the State Director for central PA for Senator Rick Santorum (94-98).

Glen Meakem

Meakem, conservative radio talkshow host and previous campaign chairman for William Scranton III for lieutenant governor. Meakem reportedly considered running against Senator Arlen Specter in the 2010 Primary.

Sam Rohrer

Rohrer has plenty of statewide name recognition after his primary race with Governor Elect Tom Corbett. He would face an uphill battle for the nomination and has stated he isn’t interested in Federal office.

Bruce Castor

Castor former Montgomery County DA and current Montgomery County Commissioner is another name being mentioned as a possible challenger for Senator Bob Casey.

Marc Scaringi

Scaringi has already announced his campaign for senate in 2012. Scaringi is a Harrisburg based lawyer who worked with Rick Santorum for senate campaign in 1994. [facebook campaign page]

Jane Orie

Orie, state senator representing the 40th senatorial district. Orie recently resigned her position as Republican whip due to a corruption indictment. If she can clear up the charges quickly Orie could be another possibility in the 2012 senate race.

That’s the list so far, leave a comment with thoughts, suggestions and opinions of who should or shouldn’t be on this list.

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