Meet GOP Convention Delegate Robert Kerr

Editor's note: Nearly all of the delegates from the 17th Congressional District at the Republican National Convention are from outside the Lehigh Valley. The lone exception is Robert Kerr, head of the Northampton County Republicans, who's in Tampa this week as an alternate.

Locally, 17th District includes the city of Easton; Forks, Palmer, Bethlehem, Upper and Lower Mount Bethel and Washington townships; the boroughs of Wilson, West Easton, Glendon, Nazareth, Stockertown, Tatamy, Bangor, East Bangor, Freemansburg, Pen Argyl, Portland and Roseto.

Name: Robert Kerr

Party: Republican
Age: 50
Hometown: Forks Township
Political Office/Employment: Small business owner.
Marital Status/Children: Married for 23 years with four children.
Congressional District Represented: 17th

* What makes you proud of the Republican Party?
"Republicans want to build up America," he said, rather than "building up the government." Kerr also said the party's "social values" -- being anti-abortion, for example -- are in line with his own.

* What issues matter in the Lehigh Valley and in the 17th Congressional District that you will represent at the convention?

Kerr noted that he was an alternate delegate, and as such won't have as much to do as the regular delegates. Still, he sees his time in Tampa as a chance to make connections and prepare for November.

"I guess the main thing I'm looking forward to is networking," he said. "We want to have a successful campaign in the fall." 

* What are you looking forward to at the Republican National Convention?

"Obviously to hear some of the speeches from people...Romney, Chris Christie...Paul Ryan as well," Kerr said. He's seen Romney and Christie before, but this will be his first time hearing from Romney's running mate.