Bucks County Republicans Fundraise For Shapiro, Blast Mastriano

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Former U.S. Congressman James Greenwood welcomed 130 Republicans, Democrats, and Independents to his home last weekend for a fundraiser for Josh Shapiro, the Democrat candidate vying to be Pennsylvania’s next governor.

Among those in attendance were former Congressman Charlie Dent, former State Senator Joe Conti, former State Senator, Common Please Judge and District Attorney David Heckler, former State Representatives Dave Steil and Marguerite Quinn, former Pennsylvania State Senate President pro tempore and Lieutenant Governor, Robert Jubelirer and former Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and EPA Regional Administrator, Jim Seif and people who have been reliable Republican contributors.

"Why would so many lifelong Republicans support and contribute to the Democrat candidate for Governor? First, because Josh Shapiro is an intelligent, honest, able, and centrist public servant who has served with great distinction as a state representative, Montgomery County Commissioner and currently as our attorney general," said Greenwood.

Greenwood said Shapiro also believes in zero-based budgets, wants to reduce the corporate income tax rate and to eliminate the state’s 11 percent tax on cell phone service. He also supports a woman’s right to choice and supports 'red flag' laws to prevent individuals who have demonstrated risk of violent behavior from owning a firearm. He also wants to make voting convenient and elections to be administered with integrity. He supports LGBTQ+ rights. And he wants to create innovation hubs to grow jobs, said Greenwood.

"Equally important, we believe that the Republican candidate, Doug Mastriano, is an extremist who is unequipped to serve as our governor," said Greenwood. "He is one of the country’s leading purveyors of the 'big lie' that Donald Trump won the election, including in Pennsylvania without providing a shred of evidence."

Greenwood said Mastriano also used campaign funds to take bus loads of Pennsylvanians to Washington on January 6th last year and personally and illegally crossed police barricades.

"He wants to repeal mail-in voting rights. He wants the Commonwealth to be a 'Second Amendment Sanctuary' allowing individuals to carry concealed weapons without a permit. He would ban all abortions without exceptions. He says climate change is 'fake science.' He would ban the right for gay people to marry," said Greenwood.

"If these extreme positions were not bad enough, among the most dangerous outcomes were Mastriano to be elected is the likelihood that as governor he would take it upon himself to nullify the results of free and fair elections in Pennsylvania based upon unfounded conspiracy theories. It is truly regrettable that the GOP candidate is not really a Republican, but an extremist who holds
none of the beliefs that has made the party proud of governors like Richard Thornburgh and Tom Ridge.

"I encourage all Pennsylvanian Republicans, Democrats and Independents to vote for Josh Shapiro who is pledged to work for bipartisan, enlightened, and honest governance," said Greenwood.

In July, the Bucks County Republican Committee issued a statement rebuking the Republicans for Sharpiro group calling it "disappointing."

"While the list may contain former elected officials who once ran as Republicans, these men and women do not represent the values of the Republican Party, especially here in Bucks County," the committee said in its statement.

"From school closures to small business lockdowns, Josh Shapiro has been on the front lines of the Democrats’ failures over the last several years. Now with out-of-control inflation and historically high gas prices, Josh and the Pennsylvania Democrats have plenty to answer for with the voters this November.

"Republicans in Bucks County are committed to electing our entire slate of Republican candidates this year," said the committee's statement. "We will not be divided by a Democrat Party seeking to cover up its dismal record."