Just In . . . No Endorsement from the Chester County Republican Committee for the State House 157 Race . . . There Will be a Primary!

This just in . . . Chester County Republican Committee has completed their voting for the Pennsylvania State House 157.  The committee voted not to endorse either Warren Kampf or Ken Buckwalter.  To receive an endorsement requires 60% of the votes; the voting went as follows:

• Round 1: Kampf 32 votes; Buckwalter 26 votes
• Round 2: Kampf 31 votes; Buckwalter 27 votes
• Round 3: Kampf 29 votes; Buckwalter 27 votes *

* It is my understanding that 2 Tredyffrin committee people left before Round 3 vote.

As a result of the voting, the Republican Committee has made the decision to recommend both candidates (neither candidate receives an endorsement).  So there will be a Primary race between Kampf and Buckwalter; both candidates will appear on the ballot.  Paul Drucker’s Republican opponent for the State House race will be decided by the people on Primary Day, May 18, 2010. 

Interesting that we will have a Republican Primary between a Paoli candidate and a Phoenixville candidate . . . wonder when the last time that happened?  Has there ever been a non-Tredyffrin Township State House Representative?  Exciting local political news!

Chester County Democrat and Republican Nominating Conventions Being Held Today . . . Who Will Face Paul Drucker in the State House Race?

The Chester County Democrat Committee Nominating Convention is being held today in West Chester, 10 AM – 1 PM.  Petitions will be signed for senate, congressional, gubernatorial and legislative candidates. 

Also today is the endorsement process for the Chester County Republican Committee. The outcome of today’s vote will determine if there is a primary for the Republicans in the State House 157 race.  The was a straw poll held a couple of weeks ago between Warren Kampf, Judy DiFilippo and Ken Buckwalter.  As a result of the straw poll, Judy made the decision to leave the race, leaving committee people today to make a choice between Kampf and Buckwalter.  Although the outcome of the straw poll has historically given good indication of who will get the GOP endorsement, the results are unofficial and nonbinding. It will be curious to see if Kampf, the frontrunner after the straw poll receives the GOP endorsement or if Phoenixville resident Buckwalter receives it.  If a 60-40 margin is not reached among committee people, there will be no endorsement.  The next question will be whether the committee people decide to recommend one (or both) of the candidates.  If one of the candidates doesn’t receive an endorsement or recommendation, it would appear unlikely that the candidate would remain in the race.

Paul Drucker (D), the incumbent State House 157 Representative kicked off his reelection campaign this week with the opening of his Paoli Campaign office. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of this community over the past year, and I am proud of my work on issues important to residents here, from our successful efforts to increase education funding to progress on job creation and transportation, as well as the urgent need for reform in Harrisburg,” Drucker said. “While we have done some very good things together, there is much more to be done to make Harrisburg reflect the priorities of the people, and that is why I will ask the voters to give me the opportunity to continue to serve them.”

The Chester County Democrat and Republican committee process is important today for Tredyffrin residents.  By the end of the day we will know the opponent(s) for Paul Drucker in the State House 157 legislative race.  Just so everyone understands, the 157th legislative district encompasses Tredyffrin. Schuylkill, Phoenixville, and in Montgomery County – 4 precincts in Lower Providence and 1 precinct in West Norriton

Will the May Primary have both Warren Kampf and Ken Buckwalter on the ballot?  Will one of them be endorsed by the Republican Committee?  Look for an announcement later today; as soon as I know something, I will post.

Traffic Update: Rt. 202 Closed Tomorrow 6-10 AM for Repairs

Traffic Update:

Route 202 between West Valley Road and Gulph Road in Tredyffrin Township will be closed Sunday from 6 – 10 AM for overhead wire repair by PECO. The wires were damaged when a snowplow struck a pole in Gateway Shopping Center.

Northbound Route 202 traffic will exit at the West Valley Road off-ramp and re-enter the highway at the West Valley Road on-ramp.

Southbound traffic will exit at the Swedesford Road off-ramp and turn left and follow the Swedesford Road to the on-ramp at the intersection of Valley Forge Road.

The following ramps will also be closed during the repairs. Motorists should follow the exits for Swedesford Road:

• The eastbound 422 on-ramp to southbound Route 202
• The westbound I-76 on-ramp to southbound Route 202
• The eastbound I-76 on-ramp to southbound Route 202

Southbound Route 202 will be closed at the intersection with Gulph Road. Traffic will be directed to the Swedesford Road ramp.