Springfield, PA –Representative Bryan Lentz, the Democratic nominee for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, today called on Pat Meehan to state clearly whether he would join the Tea Party caucus in Congress, after its leader, Representative Michele Bachmann, appeared on national television to throw her support behind his campaign yesterday. Working families in Delaware County and the 7th District have a right to know if he will fight for them or for right-wing ideology.
Bachmann, the founding member of the Tea Party caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, appeared on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity” show last night to back Meehan’s campaign. Bachmann’s endorsement is just the latest sign that Meehan was trying to shore up his support from the Tea Party and other far-right, extremist groups in the Republican Party, after another Tea Party candidate, Jim Schneller, entered the 7th District race last week.
Meehan’s recent efforts prompted the Independence Hall Tea Party to reaffirm its endorsement of his campaign in a statement yesterday, and over the weekend Meehan spoke at an event organized by Americans For Prosperity, a group founded by billionaire oil tycoon David Koch, that is working to loosen government regulations on the oil industry.
Meehan should let voters know how closely he wanted to align himself with the Tea Party because of the controversial proposals that group has promoted, Lentz said. Members of the Tea Party have supported a number of extreme, far-right proposals, including privatizing social security, eliminating the Department of Education and eliminating the Department of Environmental Protection.
“There is no room in the 7th District for policies that will undermine the financial security of our seniors and weaken our educational system,” Lentz said. “Voters need to know whether Pat Meehan is truly embracing these controversial Tea Party positions, or if his efforts to court this group and its leaders are just a political ploy to win votes.”
Lentz said his own campaign would remain focused on addressing the issues of most concern to area voters, such as reviving the region’s economy and creating more jobs. In July, Lentz launched a 10-week, 25-stop economic tour to meet with area business leaders and working families, a tour which has included stops at local manufacturers and town hall forums in municipalities across the District.
A former Airborne Ranger, criminal prosecutor and Iraq War veteran, Bryan Lentz currently serves in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from Delaware County. He was awarded both the Bronze Star for Service and the War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for his military service. He lives in Swarthmore with his wife Jennifer and their son Thomas.
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