WILKES-BARRE — The newly-elected chairman of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania says Luzerne County is extremely important to the success of the GOP statewide.
Val DiGiorgio, who has been involved in Republican Party politics since he was 17, said Wednesday candidates that run for state offices have little chance for success if they don’t win Luzerne County.
DiGiorgio, 49, used the 2016 General Election results to make his point: Republican Donald Trump won Pennsylvania, easily carrying the Democratic Luzerne County by a wide margin, yet Democrats won the state row offices of attorney general, auditor general and treasurer.
Citing a “disconnect” between GOP leadership and committee people throughout the state, DiGiorgio said he intends to address all the issues to get the party moving forward.
“We will provide all the tools needed to be successful,” DiGiorgio said. “And we will make all Republicans feel valued and part of the team. We are tired of losing statewide judicial and row office races.”
DiGiorgio said he feels confident in the GOP’s chances to unseat incumbent Democrats like U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, Gov. Tom Wolf and U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright. He said Trump’s success shows that voters, regardless of their registration, will vote for a candidate they believe in.
The new state GOP chairman said Luzerne County Republican Party Chairman Ron Farrence has done a good job getting the ball rolling, and he expects to see more GOP candidates on the ballot in all races.
“We saw thousands of volunteers for Trump,” he said. “We want to bring them into the fold and get them energized to work for the Republican Party.”
DiGiorgio said the key to winning any election, is getting good, qualified candidates.
“All good campaigns start with a good candidate,” he said.
