Some Northeast folks were in Cleveland last week for the Republican National Convention.
The group included Chris Vogler, a Mayfair resident and GOP leader of the 55th Ward, serving as a 1st Congressional District delegate; 13th Congressional District alternate delegates Gary Grisafi, Camille McColgan and Dan Tinney, all party activists; and Joe DeFelice, a Mayfair resident and chairman of the Philadelphia Republican Party.
The Pennsylvania delegation had daily breakfast meetings, and received visits from vice presidential candidate Mike Pence, House Speaker Paul Ryan, Donald Trump Jr., Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions and even John Ratzenberger, who played Cliff on Cheers.
The Pennsylvanians also attended a Three Dog Night concert at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Grisafi — a ward leader, musician, music teacher and part-time aide to City Councilman Al Taubenberger — gave a “thumbs up” to Cleveland for how clean and decorated the city was and for the way law enforcement handled protests.
Grisafi enjoyed the speeches that focused on law and order, a theme of Donald Trump’s candidacy. Speakers included relatives of people killed by illegal immigrants and by the Islamic militants who attacked Americans in Benghazi, Libya in 2012. Other speakers expressed support for police officers, including those recently murdered in Dallas and Baton Rouge.
“We have the right to be angry,” Grisafi said. “This world is upside down. Sometimes, the truth hurts.”
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International Association of Fire Fighters Local 22 has endorsed state Sen. John Rafferty, the Republican candidate for attorney general.
Andrew Thomas, president of Local 22, wrote in a letter to the candidate, “John Rafferty has the experience and temperament to make an outstanding attorney general. As first responders, we know that you are the right person at the right time to provide solid, steady leadership in the Office of Attorney General and you will take your promise to keep Pennsylvania families safe seriously.”
Rafferty faces Democrat Josh Shapiro, a Montgomery County commissioner.
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Otto Voit, the Republican candidate for state treasurer, released a statement regarding the news of the federal indictment of former Treasurer Barbara Hafer.
Hafer has been charged with lying to FBI and IRS agents about $675,000 she received in consulting fees from 2005–07, when she was out of office.
Voit has introduced PACheckbook.com, an interactive website where all Pennsylvanians can see every transaction the state makes with their tax dollars.
“We need leaders who will be accountable and lead with integrity. If we keep electing career politicians and their cronies to these positions, we will keep getting the same results. We need leaders who will put aside political games and personal ambitions and put the wellbeing of our commonwealth first and foremost.”
Voit, a Berks County businessman and former U.S. Army officer, faces Democrat Joe Torsella.
Hafer served as auditor general from 1989–96 and treasurer from 1997 to 2004. She was the Republican candidate for governor in 1990, but was crushed by Bob Casey Sr. She wanted to run for governor in 2002, but Republicans preferred Mike Fisher. She endorsed Democrat Ed Rendell, then switched her party affiliation to Democrat.
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New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will attend the Philadelphia Republican Party’s 32nd annual Billy Meehan Clambake on Aug. 28, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Cannstatter’s, 9130 Academy Road.
There will be a VIP reception at 6 pm.
Tickets cost $100 and include open bar and food.
