Westmoreland GOP rally short on candidates
Tuesday’s Westmoreland County Republican Committee rally in Hempfield was short on candidates but strong on local party support.
More than 50 GOP faithful attended the evening event, spilling from the main room of All Saints Brewing Co. onto the patio.
Committee Chairman Bill Bretz, who expressed confidence in county support for President Trump’s reelection bid and other Republican candidates, noted most state candidates were in session in Harrisburg and unavailable.
Jason Berardo read a statement from Congressman John Joyce, who is running for a second term in the 13th District and was campaigning with Donald Trump Jr. in Joyce’s home territory, Blair County.
In the statement, Joyce spoke against what he termed a “radical agenda” of former Vice President Joe Biden and running mate Kamala Harris — “from killing our energy jobs to ending Medicare to taking away our constitutional rights to keeping Pennsylvanians locked up and our economy locked down.”
“The road to the White House runs straight through Westmoreland County,” Joyce added in the statement. His district stretches between Westmoreland and Adams counties.
“I really believe that we’ve got a red wave coming to Western Pennsylvania,” Bretz said, indicating Westmoreland County’s majority of Republican voters is leading the way for several surrounding counties.
Rather than the county GOP committee taking the lead in staging events during the campaign cycle, Bretz noted local grassroots supporters have taken the initiative to organize events such as a recent parade in support of President Trump on Route 30 near Irwin.
They keynote speaker was controversial radio talk host Wendy Bell, who recently parted ways with KDKA Radio. She blogs and broadcasts videos on her website.
Sheriff James Albert and Commissioner Sean Kertes were among county officials who turned out.
“It’s always great when people come together,” Kertes said. “It’s nice to see a little bit of normalcy.”
As visitors signed in, their temperatures were checked and disposable masks were offered, but few in attendance were wearing them.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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