Lower Merion GOP Picks New Candidate to Replace Ward 1's Hueber

Republican candidate for Lower Merion Township Ward 1 Commissioner (Merion Park, Gladwyne, Penn Valley) Trish Hueber withdrew from the race Thursday because of personal health reasons.

On Tuesday, Hueber was voted in by Republican primary voters to face off against current Ward 1 Commissioner Democrat Daniel Bernheim in the general election.

“As far as I know this is, at this point, a time that Trish needs to focus on Trish, and we’re behind her 110 percent,” said Lance Rogers, chairperson of the Republican Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth (RCLMN). “It’s an unfortunate situation.”

The RCLMN has tapped A.J. Kait as a replacement candidate to run against Bernheim in November.

Though Hueber could not immediately be reached for comment, she said in a press release from the RCLMN that township finances, open space and services are among the issues that remain major concerns for Ward 1 voters.

“Speaking with voters in my Ward, I got an overwhelming sense that residents expect better care of their public finances and core government services,” she said in the release. “I can’t head that battle at the time, but it goes on.”

While Rogers said they remain supportive of Hueber, he said they are thrilled to have Kait, who is also a director of the Gladwyne Civic Association, as a candidate. Kait had previously expressed interest in running for Ward 1 commissioner but was unsure if he would be able to at the time, Rogers said.

“He’s a phenomenal candidate, an intelligent guy, he’s motivated for the right reasons, and he’s active in the community,” Rogers said. “He’s served the country in the Army and does have a background in governmental work… He’s going to make an amazing commissioner."