Rep. Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster) won a straw poll of Republican committee members asking who they would endorse for the primary in Senate District 36.
Aument took 58% of the vote, Fellow Republican Representative Gordon Denlinger is also fighting for the GOP nod in this seat and took 37% of the vote. Robert William earned 5%.
The straw poll was a vote amongst 148 Republican committee members; one member abstained.
This seat was vacated by the retirement of Senator Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster).
“I want to thank the Republican committee members, regardless of whom they supported today, for their dedication to hearing from all the candidates and making this process open and fair,” said Aument. “To have earned such a large percentage of the vote shows that these local leaders agree with my ideas and my commitment to leading Pennsylvania to a brighter future.”
“Gordon Denlinger has been part of our Republican Party for many years and has respected the decision of the committee members. Robert William came forth to put his ideas into consideration,” Aument continued, sounding like he was giving the official victory speech. “I thank them both for taking part in this process and their commitment to Lancaster County.”
The Republican committee members will vote again in February for their official endorsement. Lancaster’s bylaws require a 2/3rds majority to endorse a candidate, so Aument still comes up short of that magic number. Denlinger has not said that he will necessarily withdraw based on the committee’s decision, and will make that choice once the endorsement is final.
“The non-binding straw poll in this three-way race represents the first round of Lancaster’s GOP endorsement process. With a two-thirds vote of the 193 members needed for endorsement, the outcome is far from certain. If no endorsement is reached, we move to an open primary,” Denlinger said. “I’m working hard at reaching out for committee support, and my team is motivated and making progress!”
On Twitter in December, both Aument and Denlinger said they would only seek the Senate seat, and not re-election to their House seats.
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8 Responses
its a shame that this election could be decided by 193 people who certainly dont represent a plurality of people in the 36th.
Denlinger is by far the better candidate.
This race seems like it is far from over. Denlinger has always had better numbers with the general public than with committee members from some of the regions in his district. His poll numbers have gone up each year because of his focus on his community and the long hours he puts into constituent services. I can’t speak to the other candidates, but it seems like every other week I read in the paper about Denlinger putting in time at a breakfast, Eagle Scout ceremony, or other community event. After over a decade of not taking his position for granted, I expect that he would bring the same level of dedication to all of his constituents in a senatorial district.
There are three good candidates in this race, and given the division in the committee about the best candidate, an open primary seems like the best option.
Since there are several good candidates in this race, it would be a shame to have such a small percentage of the district (committee members) select the next senator. Give the people a choice!!
Denlinger’s comment is hilarious…and telling! Long and Nyquist must be writing it because he still refuses to follow an endorsement…which would cost them money if he lost and didn’t win.
Denlinger won his seat on the strength of the Committee and has followed their wishes every time since in his seat…because it benefitted him. Now that it may not, he is refusing to commit.
Damn!…this dude’s a real fox!
The LancasterOnline article is even more in-depth. Aument won in areas that Denlinger has represented for years. That’s not a good sign for Denlinger.
Word is that Denlinger wouldn’t agree to abide by an endorsement and still may run even if not endorsed. That’s funny (if not hypocritical) for a guy who won his seat thanks to the endorsement and has taken part in the process every year.
I guess Denlinger thought this was his seat by right (or by succession)…now, not so much. Don’t be surprised if he runs for his House seat again if this doesn’t work out.
Rep. Denlinger won his seat in the 99th by getting one more Committee member vote than Chad Weaver; thus winning the endorsement for the special election where the Dem has a, thats right, snowball’s chance.
Disenfranchisement of a different kind and I guess no one had to show an id. Basically 148 people are going to pick the next Senator in PA36? A Dem candidate will have a snowball’s chance in the general.