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ARTICLES

500 gather in Murrysville to hear Casey challengers

Saturday, January 21, 2012
By Dan Majors, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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The cold of winter did not stop Republicans in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties from breaking ground Friday night in the race for one of Pennsylvania’s seats in the U.S. Senate.

More than 500 people gathered in the Franklin Regional Middle School auditorium to hear their party’s candidates and cast votes in a straw poll for the man they would like to challenge Democratic Sen. Bob Casey in November.

The forum was organized by the Murrysville-Export Republican Committee after Jill Cooper, the group’s chairwoman, realized she — and many voters — needed to know more about their candidates.

“I’ve met four of the candidates running, and I’m not sure who I’m going to vote for,” Ms. Cooper said. “It’s a critical election, and I want to be educated when I vote. I don’t want to be told who I should vote for. I want to make up my own mind.”

Those appearing at the forum were former state Rep. Sam Rohrer of Berks County; lawyer Marc Scaringi, a Murrysville native; Steve Welch, a businessman from Chester County; Tim Burns, a businessman from Washington County; Tom Smith, who worked in the coal industry and lives on a farm in Armstrong County; and John Kensinger, a pharmacist from Bedford County.

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Senate Candidates Debate in Murrysville; Smith Wins Straw Poll

Saturday, January 21, 2012
By Tara Jerry, Contributing Writer and Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor, Politics PA

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Murrysville — The threat of snow did not deter more than 400+ people from attending the Murrysville-Export Republican Committee’s U.S. Senate Forum in Murrysville Friday evening. Candidates spoke the the largest crowd yet in what was generally a genial debate.

For the most part, the debate was a race to the right. Candidates agreed on almost every issue, focused almost entirely on President Barack Obama, and criticized Casey only by proxy.

The first question, about energy policy, was an opportunity for the candidates to express their support for Marcellus Shale, a strong local interest.

Marc Scaringi, an attorney from Harrisburg, said, “We have to make Pennsylvania energy independent” and many of the other candidates expressed similar positions.

Tim Burns, a businessman and former congressional candidate from Washington County, said that becoming energy independent is one of the best things we can do to get our economy back on track, and would be better for the economy than the stimulus package.

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Friday, January 20th

7:00 p.m.

Franklin Regional Middle School, Murrysville, PA

Featuring Moderator, Rose Tennent, of the popular Quinn and Rose syndicated morning radio show.

Get educated on the Candidates. Join us!

Sponsored by

• State Representative Eli Evankovich
• Murrysville – Export Republican Committee of Westmoreland County
• Plum Republican Committee of Allegheny County

Admission to forum is free.

Please r.s.v.p to forum@murrysvillegop.org to ensure yourself a seat since seating is somewhat limited.

Reception immediately following the event to meet the candidates. Coffee and Cookies — $15 donation.

US Senate Republican Candidates Attending Forum

• Tim Burns
• Laureen Cummings
• Marc Scaringi
• Tom Smith
• Sam Rohrer
• Steve Welch

Please visit www.murrysvillegop.org for more information or contact Jill Cooper at 412-480-7023.