PHILADELPHIA â On Tuesday, Republican Sean Parnell launched his campaign for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, highlighting a tweet from Donald Trump Jr. calling him â100% rock-solid America First.â
On Wednesday, several of the stateâs congressional Republicans praised the move to purge Rep. Liz Cheney, R.-Wy., from House leadership for the sin of calling out former President Donald Trumpâs election lies.
And on Saturday, one of those liesâ main superspreaders, Rudy Giuliani, is visiting Pennsylvania for a fund-raiser alongside state Sen. Doug Mastriano, a potential candidate for governor.
As Pennsylvania Republicans maneuver for nationally watched gubernatorial and Senate races next year, this week shows Trumpâs influence remains as powerful as ever â to the delight of many Republicans who still see him as their leader, and the consternation of others who fear his imprint could cost them winnable elections with sweeping national implications.
As Pennsylvania Republicans maneuver for nationally watched gubernatorial and Senate races next year, this week shows Trumpâs influence remains as powerful as ever â to the delight of many Republicans who still see him as their leader, and the consternation of others who fear his imprint could cost them winnable elections with sweeping national implications.
âIâm thrilled about Sean Parnell. Iâm ecstatic,â said Lee Snover, chair of the Northampton County Republicans, who described Parnell as âin the model of Trump.â
She said that meant âbeing a winner, being a doer.â
Parnell, a decorated Army veteran who headlined a 2020 campaign rally with Trump Jr. and spoke at the GOP convention, actually lost his first campaign, falling short in a right-leaning congressional district outside Pittsburgh last year.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
AP
Sean Parnell in September 2020, as a congressional candidate, speaking ahead of a Trump campaign rally in Moon Township.
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PHILADELPHIA Sean Parnell, a decorated combat veteran and favorite of former President Donald Trump, is all but certain to run for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, according to a Republican official who spoke with Parnell this week.
“He said he was 99% sure this is what he was going to do,” said Sam DeMarco, the Republican chairman in Allegheny County, where Parnell came up just short in a high-profile bid for Congress last year. “If he does make that decision, he’s going to be a formidable candidate.”