Aaron Bashir, the Republican candidate in the 172nd Legislative District, held a fundraiser on Saturday night at Nick’s Roast Beef, 4501 Woodhaven Road.
The district consists of Rockledge and parts of eight wards. Bashir will face Democratic Rep. Kevin Boyle.
Bashir supports school choice, the Second Amendment and the “Back the Blue” cause and has been endorsed by the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation and U.S. Term Limits. He faults Democrats for removing statues and erasing history.
Among those in attendance were ward leaders, party boss Martina White, state legislative candidates John Nungesser and Drew Murray and congressional candidate David Torres, wearing a “Bologna Strong” shirt in support of police Staff Inspector Joseph Bologna.
White, who represents the 170th Legislative District, criticized Democrats for supporting sanctuary cities for illegal immigrants, wanting to defund the police and hiking taxes while decreasing services. She and retiring Rep. Tom Murt (whose district includes seven divisions in Bustleton) are the only two Republicans representing parts of Philadelphia in the state House.
“I could certainly use some company,” she said.
Former City Councilman Al Taubenberger, the recently appointed Republican leader of the 56th Ward, plans to help Bashir in the 12 divisions of the ward that are part of the 172nd.
“Aaron and I are going to do very, very well there,” said Taubenberger, who lost to Boyle in 2012.
Former Chester County Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh described Bashir as a man of integrity.
“We’re going to make this country and Philadelphia great again,” she said.
State Sen. Doug Mastriano will headline an Oct. 13 fundraiser for Bashir. ••
