Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump by a 53-point margin (76-22 percent) in Jenkintown four years ago. But the Montgomery County Republican Committee opened a satellite office on Old York Road last week in the heart of this Democratic-dominated community.
It’s a sign of just how upbeat Republicans are about the chances of voters returning former President Trump to the White House, and they’re bullish on Dave McCormick, who is running for U.S. Senate against 18-year incumbent Sen. Bob Casey (D). The Democrats pushing Biden off their ticket and replacing him with Vice President Kamala Harris hasn’t dampened their enthusiasm.
“There’s a reason we want to do this. We have to plant the flag in the ground and show that Montgomery County is not a one-party county. And so, this is not just to drive toward victory in November. This is to drive toward victory going forward,” said Montgomery County GOP Chairman Christian Nascimento.
“The Republican Party in Montgomery County is back!”
Two other auxiliary offices are planned for Pottstown and Harleysville, with the main GOP location in Blue Bell.
The office is full of yard signs and literature for Trump, McCormick, and other candidates, including state representatives, state treasurer, auditor general, and attorney general.
The speakers praised Robert Asher, a businessman and Republican National Committeeman, who helped fund the additional locations.
(From left) R0bert Asher, Joanne Ayer, Christian Nascimento, Commissioner Tom DiBello
“The tide is turning,” said Asher. “For the first time in 15 years, this week, Bucks County switched back and has more Republican than Democrat voters. So that is hugely important.”
“And we are going to work for all Republicans from state representatives to the next president of the United States to have a united Republican Party victory,” Asher said.
The numbers appear to back up Asher’s claim about a turning tide. Data from the Pennsylvania Department of State showed there were 395,699 more registered Democrats than Republicans in April. That advantage dropped to 360,982 this month. Republicans added almost 30,000 registered votes while Democrats lost more than 4,800 voters, according to the state government.
And while Bucks remains the only county in the DelVal region with a GOP edge., the party has narrowed the gap with Democrats in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties as well.
Scott Presler of Early Vote Action has been actively registering GOP voters in Pennsylvania. He says Bucks is just the beginning.
“We flipped Beaver County 🔵🔜🔴. We flipped Bucks County 🔵🔜🔴. Now, we’re turning our attention to Luzerne County. After Luzerne flips — because it will — we will focus on Centre, Chester, Erie, & Monroe,” Preslser posted on X.
Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello said he attends events all around the county and sees the same enthusiasm.
“Wherever I go, the Republican and GOP energy is strong, vibrant, and ready to win,” said DiBello. “We’re seeing a shift that the communities are starting to look in the other direction back to our way. For 150 years in Montgomery County, we had Republican leadership, and Montgomery County was run very successfully. In the last eight years, its leadership has shifted, and people see what’s going on…And they are not happy. High taxes. High crime. And all this is happening in our communities and neighborhoods…People are starting to stand up, and they’re starting to fight back.”
Congressional candidate David Winkler said, “Montgomery County is in play…I’ve talked to so many different groups who are all going to be in Montgomery County because they see it as a win.”
“Guess what? Jenkintown and Abington, we’re here right now, and we’re making an announcement that Montgomery County is important,” said Joe Rooney, chair of the Abington Township Republican Organization (ATRO), who is running for state representative. “And we’re going to do everything we can, and there’s a lot of people right here that are backing that statement up…We’re fighting. Just like Trump said last Saturday. We are fighting for every GOP vote. And the vote of people who love America.”
“This shouldn’t end at the end of the election,” said ATRO member Bob Jasionowski. “We’re working together with data and mail-in ballots. We’re firing on all cylinders here. We’re pulling the fuel in for turbocharging.”
Abington resident Ron Holt, the former county register of wills, volunteers for the McCormick campaign.
McCormick “is a little behind in the polls, but on election day, he’s going to win,” said Holt. “He’s a military man. He’s a family man.”
“I’m supporting all Republicans,” said Jenkintown resident Suzanne Hunter. “I think our country is going down the drain.”
Also from Jenkintown, Susan Krol added, “Everyone is complaining about the illegal immigrants. (Democrats) want to change the demographics…They want to control this country.”
About 75 people came to last week’s opening.
“I thought this was going to be maybe 20 people,” said Jim Saring, a Republican State Committee person from Plymouth Meeting. “It shows how excited people are about our ticket and putting President Trump back in office.”
Christine Baik, who ran for Upper Dublin Township commissioner last year, agreed it was a “good turnout. It shows people are ready to work to get their candidates over the finish line.”
Baik added, “I’m a young woman of color who votes Republican because the Democrats don’t write their narratives for me.”
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