Thursday’s candidate’s forum went very well for Ted Waga, a Republican running in the crowded primary to replace Rep. Todd Platts in the 4th congressional district. The York 9-12 Patriots conducted a straw poll afterward and Waga, a member of the group, received 101 votes (35 percent).
Waga had announced a primary challenge to Platts even before his retirement announcement. The Baltimore police officer has aligned himself closely with the group – among the most stridently conservative in Pennsylvania.
Republican attorney Sean Summers won 58 votes. Summers deployed to Afghanistan with the Special Forces then went to law school and served in the JAG Corps. After his service, his most notable moment came in 2010, when he argued in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of a family seeking to sue the Westboro Baptist Church. The extreme religious sect protested the funeral of the family’s son, a Marine fallen in combat.
Another military man, a Colonel, and Republican candidate, Scott Perry earned 43 votes in the straw poll. Perry has been a State Rep. in the 92nd district since 2007 and has a reputation for taking on firm stances on partisan issues.
The 4th district comprises all of Adams and York counties, the southeastern corner of Cumberland County, and the City of Harrisburg.
Waga: 101
Summers: 58
Perry: 43
Mark Swomley (R): 33
Chris Reilly (R): 15
Eric Martin (R): 14
Kevin Downs (R): 11.
Ken Lee (D): 10
Mike Koffenberger (L), who was not in attendance: 1
Harry Perkinson (D), also not in attendance: 0
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3 Responses
Westboro Baptist Church spreads its hate through picketing in our streets, provoking attacks, with abusive language and flag desecration, attempting to create a confrontation. This is not a church, this is a hate group. This is not about protesting, freedom, or God. They are in it for the money and the press; this is a family law firm. They are not a “church.” It is a scam. They go after anything that can get them in the news. This is a family of lawyers using this “god hates you” thing to make money. It is time for this scam and the hate to end.
The church has received money from lawsuits and legal fees. For example, they sued the city of Topeka several times in the 1990s(this show has been going on for years). WBC received $16,500, and is pursuing another $100,000, in legal fees for a case won in court. The WBC is considered a nonprofit organization by the federal government, and is therefore exempt from paying taxes!
Phelps-Roper of the Westboro Baptist Church is shown admitting on camera that her oldest son was born out of wedlock. Hypocritical Phelps-Roper’s vocal condemnation on strangers having sexual congress outside of marriage while she herself was guilty of the same. They are NOT what they say they are!! THEY ARE NOT A CHURCH!!!
Ted spoke very clearly and persuasively, showing great potential for leadership in Congress. Most of the other candidates were also very impressive in explaining their positions.
I was there and this poll, in my opinion, accurately reflects what took place. Most of the GOP candidates were decent on the issues, but Ted had some very acute points especially on integrity, illegal immigration, and fiscal discipline. I would also guess that Mr Lee’s staff and family were his votes, as he clearly showed why a well-informed and balanced thinking PA voter would be hard-pressed to vote Democratic. Several of the things he said were grossly inaccurate or just plain foolish(like the problems we are facing are “no different” from times past. He also seems to be an extreme liberal, as I spoke with him afterwards and he is in favor of gay propaganda in elementary school classrooms and he said that aside from exempting CHURCHES, he supports the Obama Healthcare Mandate for faith-based organizations.