DV Journal

(From a press release)

State Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (SD-Westmoreland) has appointed State Senator Chris Gebhard (SD-Berks) as the new cycle chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Republican Campaign Committee (PA SRCC) for 2025-2026.

Gebhard will succeed Sen. Dave Argall as cycle chair.

Argall worked closely with Ward to oversee the PA SRCC’s successful election cycles in 2022 and 2024. Those elections included five Republican Senate wins in key toss-up districts, as well as the first Senate Republican victory in Philadelphia in nearly 30 years. These victories were critical in maintaining the 28-22 Republican Senate majority.

Gebhard, first elected to the Senate in 2021, has been a strong member of the Republican Caucus. His energy and commitment to protecting the Republican majority will be integral over the next two years.

“We thank Senator Argall for his four years of work to help maintain our Republican Senate majority,” Ward said. “His pivotal leadership leaves SRCC with a strong foundation for the next cycle. I look forward to working with Sen. Chris Gebhard as he takes the reigns for the 2026 cycle, and we prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. He will be a great asset. Sen. Gebhard, PA SRCC, and I are laser focused on strengthening our Majority next year.”

Gebhard added, “I am grateful for the trust that Senate President Kim Ward has put in me with this appointment. The Senate Republican Majority has a track record of advocating for better schools, lower taxes, and safer streets. PA SRCC will work every day between now and November of 2026 to protect that majority and to ensure we can continue to deliver results for the people of Pennsylvania.”

“The PA SRCC helps to elect and maintain our PA Senate Republican majority. The SRCC helps to identify and assist Republican candidates for the Pennsylvania Senate,” said SRCC spokesman Michael Straw.

Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-West Moreland) announced the Pennsylvania Senate Republican Campaign Committee’s (PA SRCC) Leadership team for the 2023-24  election cycle.

State Sen. Dave Argall (R-Luzerne/Carbon/Schuylkill) has been reappointed as cycle chairman. Senator Argall worked closely with Ward to oversee the PA SRCC’s successful 2022 election cycle where Republicans won key swing districts and maintained their Senate majority.

In addition, Senator Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland/Dauphin/Perry) will join the PA SRCC as the deputy chairman for the 2023-2024 campaign cycle. In this role, Rothman will provide key support to the Republican Caucus in efforts to maintain and build their majority in 2024.  Twenty-five Senate seats will be up for reelection in 2024, and more if there are special elections needed.

“With the support of Dave Argall I feel confident that the PA SRCC will remain focused on maintaining and growing our Senate Majority through 2024,” Ward said. “His leadership was vital last year, and he will be a key Member for our success going forward. And with Sen. Rothman’s strong record as a campaigner and fundraiser he will be an important resource for our caucus heading into 2024. The SRCC Leadership team is ready to hit the ground running to strengthen our majority next year.”

Argall told the Delaware Valley Journal that he enjoys the extra assignment working to help keep the Senate in Republican hands. Unlike the House, which narrowly flipped to Democrat control in2022 with redistricting and other headwinds, the state Senate retained a Republican majority.

“Our goal is to protect and expand our Senate majority,” said Argall.
Asked how he plans to do that, Argall said they “work very, very hard to find good candidates.”

Candidates either come to the SRCC or the organization goes out and finds them.

“There is nothing more important in this business than having a qualified, hardworking candidate,” Argall said.

“If they are well-known in their communities, that is always a plus,” said Argall. But that is not always needed. “Are they willing to roll up their sleeves and knock on a lot of doors and make a lot of phone calls?”

And, the vet their candidates so there are “no surprises.”

In addition to good candidates, there is also the need for adequate financing.

The SRCC raised $3.2 million in 2022 and Argall said they hope to raise even more for 2024.

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