In identical letters mailed and emailed in late December, U.S. Congressional candidate Josh First appealed to four of the five chairs of the county Republican Committees in the Pennsylvania 17th Congressional District. In November, the Dauphin County Republican Committee invited First to be interviewed for the committee's endorsement process.  A sample of the letter is provided below.

 

"I am so excited to present my message of personal liberty, small government, and muscular foreign policy to the five county endorsement committees.  My concern is that those endorsements, and thereby a big part of the primary itself, could nearly be decided without my having that opportunity," said First, who alluded to one as-yet-unannounced candidate's efforts to get these five county committee endorsements before actually announcing his candidacy and before those committees have had their official endorsement processes.  Typically, Republican candidates are given equal opportunity to appear before county endorsement committees.

 

"This approach would ignore the strong voter feelings against incumbents and pre-programmed politics, and their desire for fresh faces in political races.  It could easily backfire and alienate Republican voters.  The Republican Party is the only political party in the entire world that stands for merit, competition and transparency, I am concerned that those principles might get tossed overboard because of political pressure.  I hope that my concern is misplaced," said First.

 

First concluded, "I would like to have an equal chance to make my pitch for their endorsement to all five county committees, the same as any other Republican candidate should have. Thus far, Dauphin County has extended an invitation.  I am probably the most conservative Republican candidate of any that are on the radar screen for this race, and my credentials are outstanding.  I deserve a fair shake, a level playing field."

 

The county chairs are Andrew Fick (Berks County), William E. Benner III (Perry County), Faith Bender (Lebanon County), and Bob Ames (Schuylkill County).

 
UPDATE: on 12/30/09 Faith Bender, chair of the Lebanon County Republican Committee, invited First to participate in that committee's endorsement process.

 

Josh First for Congress
P.O. Box 5128 Harrisburg, PA 17110
www.joshfirst.com

December 22, 2009

Mr. Andrew Fick, Chairman
Berks County Republican Committee
420 North Park Road, Suite 104
Wyomissing, PA 19610

Dear Chairman Fick,

            As a recently declared candidate for the Congressional seat presently held by Tim Holden, I am looking forward to meeting the Berks County Republican Committee members as part of the endorsement process.  Republicans have always stood for the worthiness of merit, the benefits of competition, and transparency, and it would be unfortunate if these principles were tossed overboard during the primary phase of this election.

            All I ask is that you provide me with a level playing field and give me the same opportunity as other candidates to meet you and your committee members while seeking your endorsement.  Please call me with any questions at 717 232-8335.

            Thank you and Merry X-Mas!

                                                            Sincerely,

                                                           

                                                            Josh First, Candidate
                                                            PA-17th