Main Line GOP Women Post Endorsements, Host Annual Meet-and-Greet

The Republican Women of the Main Line hosted its annual meet-and-greet of GOP-endorsed candidates in Montgomery County last week in anticipation of the primary election on Tuesday, May 17.

Ann Zelno, president of GOP women's organization, said they have held such events annually for more than 50 years.

“The political climate in Lower Merion and Narberth has changed,” Zelno commented. “Traditionally, Lower Merion was a Republican stronghold. Because of demographics, that has changed, and we’re working hard to reverse that trend. The important thing is that people realize the importance of the primary. That does make a statement of its own.”

For the Lower Merion Township Board of Commissioners, the odd numbered wards are up for grabs this year, but the Republican Women's endorsements were a formality—none of the township positions are being contested in the Republican primary.

The GOP Board of Commissioners candiates are: Trish Hueber in Ward 1 (Gladwyne, Penn Valley, Merion Park), Ray Fullbright in Ward 3 (Belmont Hills, Penn Valley, Bala Cynwyd), Beth Ladenheim in Ward 7 (Wynnewood), Richard Kaufman in Ward 9 (Bala Cynwyd), Lew Gould (seeking reelection) in Ward 11 (Bryn Mawr), and Louis Barson in Ward 13 (Bala Cynwyd, Merion Park).

(Ward 7 does have two Democratic candidates (Board President Liz Rogan and Ted Erfer) facing off on Tuesday.)

At the event held at the Gladwyne Fire Company last Thursday, some endorsed candidates individually gave brief presentations on why they are running for office.

Daniel Clifford, a lawyer specializing in family law, and Maureen Coggins are the Republican-endorsed candidates running for Common Pleas Court Judge, in a contested primary against Richard Haaz.

“We spend our time in the courtroom, and we have the experience needed to be a good judge,” Coggins said.

Lower Merion Ward 2 Commissioner Jenny Brown was representing herself and Bruce Castor, candidates for Montgomery County Commissioner.

“Montgomery County is in a very critical position,” Brown said, comparing the county’s financial situation to Lower Merion Township’s financial position in 2003.

Instead of excess borrowing and spending, which Brown said has happened in the township, the county needs to put in place prudent fiscal policies and debt limitation policies.

“If we do that in Montgomery County, we can ensure fiscal quality and avoid double-digit tax increases,” Brown said. “That’s why this election is so critical.”

Eileen Behr is running for Sheriff, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. Behr recently retired as Whitemarsh Township Police Chief and is the Republican-endorsed candidate in the contested primary against Robert Durante.

“Lower Merion, I think because of you, I will take my oath,” Behr said. “I believe the Sheriff has undertaken the role of emergency management. Like Whitemarsh, you flood. And I feel that as Sheriff, I can mobilize partnerships.”

Current Recorder of Deeds Nancy Becker is running for reelection and said since she has served, the office has gone from 32 to 26 employees and saves $100,000 a year just in software.

“We’ve done a really good job,” Becker said. “When I was elected, we were nine months behind in recording. Now, we record the same day.”

Bill Donelly is running for Prothonotary and said he lost by 400 votes in the last election.

He emphasized the importance of electronic filing both in saving the county money and in making it more convenient for attorneys.

Gordon Clement is running for Coroner. He said he served as a military surgeon for 30 years and understands the vital side of medicine and that someone needs to deal with the non-vital side of medicine and do it well. He said it’s important to be empathetic since dealing with loss of life “out of sequence” can be difficult on families losing children.

“Those things need compassion,” Clement said.

Stewart Greenleaf, Jr., is running for Controller and shared Brown’s concern about the financial direction of the county, though he said most of the burden would fall on Brown’s and Castor’s shoulders.

Patricia Mosesso, who is running for Register of Wills, said she feels that her experience matches her goals of fiscal and personal responsibility.

Additionally, the GOP has endorsed candidates Vic Stabile for the State Superior Court, Risa Vetri Ferman for District Attorney, Moon Ahn for Clerk of Courts, and Chuck Wilson for Treasurer.

A primary election newsletter available at the event noted the Republican party was unable to field Republican candidates for the Lower Merion School Board.