EXETER — The Luzerne County Republican Party is in disarray with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and four other officers resigning this week. This leaves only five members of the Executive Committee to figure it out and reorganize.
The Times Leader contacted area Republican leaders to hear their thoughts on the situation and what needs to be done to ensure that the GOP is prepared for the primary and the upcoming fall Presidential Election and beyond.
In recent years, Republicans have made significant progress — Democrats once had an almost 50,000 registration advantage, but now that margin has been reduced to under 5,000. There are also more Republicans holding elective office in Luzerne County — a state senator, four state representatives, and the majority on County Council are all Republicans.
Luzerne County has gained national attention for being one of the decisive areas in major races, such as the 2016 Presidential race and key statewide races.
So why then, has there been division in the Republican ranks, mainly due to the rise of another group with a similar name? The group is called Luzerne County Republicans and has been critical of the long-standing Luzerne County Republican Party.
Both versions of the GOP have candidates in the upcoming primary facing each other, which has drawn criticism from longtime Republicans who want to see the in-fighting stop.
Former member of Congress, Lou Barletta of Hazleton, said there needs to be one county party with a strong leader that has the exclusive support of elected officials and rank-and-file Republicans if the local GOP wants to continue to be influential in federal and state elections as well as winning local races.
“Republicans need to remember we are on one team and the goal is that Republicans win and not help the Democrats by beating each other up,” Barletta said. “During my time in office, the county Republicans stood together with the Luzerne County Party and knew we were stronger together than divided. As a party, we have accomplished so much in Luzerne County this past decade, and this is a growing pain that we will work through and come out of more united.”
Other Republicans, like Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, also believe that the situation can be resolved.
“A party committee is a grassroots operation that provides crucial advice and assistance to candidates and officeholders,” Baker said. “While it is not unusual to have disagreements over strategy, use of resources, or candidate selections, these matters must be resolved within the committee.”
County Council Chair John Lombardo is one of the five remaining active members of the Luzerne County Republican Party’s Executive Committee. The other remaining members are Mike LaRocca, 116th District; Chris Huntzinger, 117th District; Greg Wolovich, 119th District; and Ian Kennedy, 121st District.
Lombardo mentioned that from now until the April 23 Primary, the five remaining Executive Committee members will meet to talk about all options. He said they will talk to people who might want to serve as interim chair of the party, then set up the convention to reorganize.
“The current situation has caused things to become really intense,” Lombardo said. “We need to lower that intensity.”
Lombardo expressed his honor in serving on the Executive Committee with PJ Pribula during a time when the GOP has greatly succeeded.
“We've attracted more registrations and we've seen many Republicans elected to office,” Lombardo said. “To see that we are going backwards because of this dysfunction in the party, I’m annoyed when I hear that the party doesn’t do enough or hasn’t done enough. The results show the opposite is true. Many good Republican candidates have been elected, showing that Republicans can be good public servants and perform well when elected.
“Ultimately, we really should go back to following President Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment — do not speak negatively about another Republican in public.”
Reagan’s belief was meant to limit intraparty conflict. The saying went like this: “Don’t speak ill of another Republican.”
Walter Griffith, Luzerne County Controller, said the issue that must be resolved is that the in-party fight has been going on for far too long.
“That’s where the problem is,” Griffith said. “We have these two Republican organizations. When the new group was formed, I think they did it to stick their finger in the eyes of the Luzerne County Republican Party. It’s been a big issue all along — the name was too close to the actual party.”
Griffith said the similarity in the names confused people.
“When you send out mailers, people are confused — they don’t know what’s going on,” Griffith said.
So what does Griffith think needs to be done to fix the situation?
“The fix? Let’s be mature and sit down in a room and talk and try to come together,” Griffith said. “We need to harness all that energy and work together for the Republican Party. We don’t need to be attacking our own as Republicans”
Griffith believes strongly that by working together with one common goal that more Republicans will be elected, resulting in better government.
“It shouldn’t be a personal thing, but we see it on the state and national level,” Griffith said. “There’s just too much polarization. We have to do what’s good for our county, our state and our country.”
Griffith said he has always openly stated his case, and win or lose, he has learned to move on.
“We’ve done some good things over the years, but this division has cost us seats on County Council, for one example,” Griffith said. “We’ve been too busy fighting among ourselves. The party needs to come together. We can be respectful, agree to disagree, but don’t be disrespectful.”
Hal Flack of Dallas has been involved with the Republican Party for many years and he has supported several candidates.
“I’m disappointed to see this,” Flack said. “When I look at the accomplishments of the Luzerne County GOP over the last number of years, it’s positive and impressive.”
Flack praised the former Chair PJ Pribula and his team for their success in increasing registrations and winning races.
Flack expressed disappointment at the emergence of the imposter party and their aggressive tactics, and hopes the remaining committee members will choose a new chairperson who is reasonable and non-confrontational.
County Council member Harry Haas mentioned feeling sad but not surprised about the resignation of the Republican chairman and most of the executive board.
Haas stated that the current chairman, lacking the support of the Republican committee membership, decided to disrupt the party as he left. Haas also mentioned plans for the new leadership to resolve differences among committee members.
Haas emphasized the importance of transparency in restoring credibility to the party, highlighting the values of democracy and fair representation.
Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-Kingston, commented on the current state of the county GOP, stating that the Luzerne County Republican Party will need to rearrange after the primary election, recognizing the advancements made by Republicans in the past decade in the county.
Kaufer mentioned the need for the Luzerne County Republican Party to select a temporary chairperson and reorganize after the upcoming primary election, acknowledging the significant progress made by Republicans in the county in recent years.
Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-Kingston, emphasized the need for the Republican Party, not only in Luzerne County, to embrace a wide range of conservative ideas and unite behind candidates who share these values, particularly in the current polarized political climate.
Kaufer stressed the importance of rallying behind ideas that have the support of the majority, conveying that message, and persuading swing voters that the Republican Party offers the best vision for the future.
