Local members congregated for the 33rd annual Billy Meehan Clambake.
Republican Party of Pennsylvania chairman Val DiGiorgio and Republican National Committee co-chairman Bob Paduchik rallied local members of the GOP on Sunday at the Republican City Committee’s 33rd annual Billy Meehan Clambake at Cannstatter’s.
Local party boss Mike Meehan invited candidates in the Nov. 7 general election to the stage.
Among those in attendance were citywide candidates Beth Grossman (district attorney), Mike Tomlinson (city controller) and Vince Furlong (Common Pleas Court).
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Sallie Mundy, who is seeking a full term, addressed the crowd. She was joined by the four GOP candidates for Superior Court: Emil Giordano, Craig Stedman, Wade Kagarise and Mary Murray.
Also in attendance were candidates for office in 2018. State Sen. Scott Wagner is seeking the GOP nod for governor. State Sen. David Argall is eyeing a run for lieutenant governor. State Rep. Rick Saccone is running for U.S. Senate. U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta announced his Senate candidacy on Tuesday.
Others in attendance included state Reps. Tom Murt, Martina White, John Taylor and Gene DiGirolamo; City Councilmen Brian O’Neill, David Oh and Al Taubenberger; former congressman Jon Fox; former state House Speaker John Perzel; former Common Pleas Court Judge and state Rep. Chris Wogan; and former Councilman Rick Mariano, who was selling T-shirts that read, “Save the Frank Rizzo Statue” on the front and, “Get Rid of Helen Gym” on the back, with a slash through a picture of Councilwoman Gym.
DiGiorgio faulted Democrats for nominating liberal civil rights lawyer Larry Krasner for district attorney.
“They care nothing about law and order. We don’t want Philadelphia to be the next Chicago,” he said, noting the Windy City’s skyrocketing murders and shootings. ••
