GOP race for 158th District takes another turn

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on April 1, 2016

Members of the 158^th Legislative District of the Republican Committee have now endorsed Eric M. Roe for the state House seat being vacated by Rep. Chris Ross, according to a GOP press release.

“I greatly appreciate the support and endorsement of the Republican Party,” Roe said in the release. “Over the next 26 days, I will work tirelessly to win the support and write-in votes of the GOP voters in the 158^th District. To date, I have the commitments of over 75 volunteers who will join me going door to door to meet with voters and cover every polling location on Primary Election Day. The campaign is running on all cylinders.”

The party’s endorsement of Roe on Thursday, March 31, comes less than a week after Leonard Rivera, the first candidate endorsed for the seat, ended his campaign after signatures on his ballot petition were challenged. Initially, Rivera withdrew from the primary, but said he would run as a write-in; however, days later, he changed his mind and withdrew completely.

Following Rivera’s exit, Perry Bentley re-entered the race as a write-in candidate. Bentley had dropped out of contention after Rivera received the party’s endorsement on Jan. 28; both Bentley and Roe had also sought the party’s backing. Born and raised outside of Unionville, Bentley works at Bentley Systems, an Exton-based engineering and architectural software company.

Val DiGiorgio, chairman of the Republican Committee of Chester County, called Roe "a strong and energized candidate with a great resume, who will be an independent common-sense voice for families and small business owners in the 158^th District."

Roe, who grew up in East and West Bradford townships, has worked for nonprofits and in the private sector for former Director of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff’s security consulting firm. He holds a master’s degree in public policy from University College London and a bachelor’s degree in political science from American University; he currently works as the administrative analyst for Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline.

“The Republican Committee is steadfast and united in their support of Eric, who will make an outstanding representative and leader," said DiGiorgio in the release. "We will fight hard to ensure that Eric wins the write-in for the upcoming Republican Primary.”

Whoever is victorious in the primary will face off against Democrat Susan Rzucidlo in November. The district serves residents in East Bradford, East Marlborough, Newlin, London Britain, New Garden, West Bradford, West Goshen and West Marlborough townships as well as Avondale Borough.