Mt. Lebanon – The Republican Committee of Plum County has voted to endorse D.Raja for County Executive. The endorsement follows the announcement of list of Republican Leaders across the county supporting Raja’s campaign, including Senator Pat Toomey, Rep. Tim Murphy and State House Majority Leader Mike Turzai.

“I am grateful and encouraged by the continued support of Republican Leadership and grassroots activists across the county. Our campaign has continued to build momentum, and I am looking forward to working together to bring much needed needed change to Allegheny County.”

Raja has previously been endorsed by the Republican Committee of Mt. Lebanon.

MT. LEBANON, PA – Today, Raja for County Executive announced the support of US Senator Pat Toomey, Congressman Tim Murphy, Majority Leader Mike Turzai, Former Congresswoman Melissa Hart, and other Republican leaders.

New Endorsements:

• US Senator Pat Toomey
• Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18)
• Majority Leader Mike Turzai (28th HD)
• State Representative Randy Vulakovich (30th HD)
• County Council Member Matt Drozd
• Former Congresswoman Melissa Hart (PA-4)
• Former Congressional candidate Melissa Haluszczak (PA-14)
• Former Congressional candidate Keith Rothfus (PA-4)
• Mt. Lebanon Commissioner Matt Kluck
• Former CEO FreeMarkets, Radio Host Glen Meakem

“I am enthusiastically endorsing Raja’s campaign for County Executive. With out-of-control spending at all levels of government, I know he’ll be a partner in restoring fiscal discipline. Allegheny County would be well served to have a County Executive who will put these fiscally conservative principles to action.”
– US Senator Pat Toomey

“I am proud to endorse Raja for Allegheny County Executive. His experience creating jobs as a CEO, cutting taxes and managing budgets as a local commissioner, and his vision for creating jobs, is exaclty what we need in our next County Executive. Raja can win in November and bring new ideas and innovation to county government.”
-Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18)

“Raja is a proven job-creator who brings a fresh perspective to Allegheny County. He has the business experience and know-how we need to bring county government into the 21st century.”
-Mike Turzai (28th District)

“As a strong proponent of effective and ethical government, I am excited to endorse Raja for county executive. I know he’ll always put the people of Allegheny County first.”
-State Representative Randy Vulakovich (30th HD)

“As a long-time member of County Council, I continually try to alleviate the tax burden on our constituents by looking for ways to reduce taxes in Allegheny County. Raja’s experience of cutting taxes as a municipal commissioner is one of the reasons why I believe he would make an excellent Chief Executive.”
-County Council Member Matt Drozd

“Raja is the kind of strong, principled leader that we need as County Executive. His experience cutting taxes and balancing a budget will be a welcome change from the tax and spend policies that have done so much damage to Allegheny County.”
- Former Rep. Melissa Hart (PA-4)

“Allegheny County is in desperate need of some commonsense fiscal conservatism, and we are fortunate to have found that type of strong, principled leader in Raja.”
-Former Congressional Candidate Melissa Haluszczak (PA-14)

“While working with Raja as a fellow Commissioner in Mt. Lebanon, I have seen Raja work hard to reduce spending, maintain services and lighten the tax load of the residents. Raja will be a County Executive who can make a difference.”
-Mt. Lebanon Commissioner Matt Kluck

“As a business leader, I am excited to endorse Raja. He knows what it takes to compete in today’s economy and I know he’ll work hard to create the business environment in Allegheny County needed to create good paying jobs.”
- Former CEO FreeMarkets, Radio Host Glen Meakem

“Raja’s story is the story of so many of our grandparents and great grandparents who came to this country because of the promise of its founding ideals. His passion for freedom and expanding opportunity is catching, and his optimistic vision for Allegheny County is very exciting.”
- Former Congressional candidate Keith Rothfus (PA-4)

Raja had been previously endorsed by Senator John Pippy and State Representative Mark Mustio

By Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor

Tea Party leader Patti Weaver has dropped out of the race for Allegheny County Executive, making businessman and Mt. Lebanon Township Commissioner D. Raja the front runner for the GOP nomination.

Weaver, a conservative organizer and CPA with an MBA from Harvard, cited fundraising as her primary reason for pulling out of the race. She officially filed to withdraw this afternoon at the Allegheny County Courthouse.

“Winning this office takes a formidable combination of the right ideas, a strong grassroots organization, and, yes, the necessary financial resources in order to run an effective campaign.  I am honored at the tremendous support my candidacy has received from Tea Party members, local Republican leaders and concerned citizens, but the financial support has been slow to follow and is severely lacking.”

“I’m disappointed she got out of the race. I think she’s have done very well,” said Allegheny County Chairman Jim Roddey. “Before anyone else had decided to run, I was one of the people who talked to her and encouraged her to run. We had a discussion about fundraising then, and I assume that’s the primary reason she got out.”

Roddey explained that he took a neutral stance once more than one candidate had declared for the seat.

Weaver endorsed  Bob Howard for County Comptroller, and Ned Pfeiffer for County Treasurer, but declined to endorse in the Executive race.

Weaver’s exit almost certainly brightens prospects for Raja, who, according to Allegheny GOP insiders, is a favorite for the nomination. He has spent considerable sums of personal wealth on previous campaigns and he’s pledged to do the same this time. Indeed, his recent momentum gaining Allegheny Republican endorsements is speculated as another reason for Weaver’s exit.

“Patti Weaver’s activism for conservative causes and bringing accountability to government of all levels is inspiring to many, including myself,” said Raja in a statement. “I look forward to her continued involvement in the political sphere fighting for the values we share. I hope to bring those commonsense policies to county government.”

Raja also boasts the consulting help of Toomey Campaign Manager Mark Harris.

“We’ve been working hard to win the nomination and preparing for a 3-way primary, said Harris. “Patti’s withdrawal was certainly a surprising development.”

Allegheny County Councilman Chuck McCullough is also a candidate for the Republican nomination. McCullough has strong name ID, but not the good kind. This is the second link that appears when one Googles his name: “2 Political Junkies: McCullough Arrested,” which gets worse when you click on it.

“A county grand jury today handed up a 52-page presentment that alleges Mr. McCullough, an attorney, and his sister, Kathleen A. McCullough, bilked money from the $14.5 million trust fund of an Upper St. Clair widow, Shirley H. Jordan, 90,” it reads, quoting from the Post-Gazette.

That said, McCullough has a golden Irish name and a history of beating the establishment. His odds are much longer in a two-way race verses one with three contenders, but he is not to be counted out.

In either case, both candidates can avoid the political liability of a race to the right in Democratic-leaning Allegheny County, something that would have been inevitable had Weaver stayed in.

State Rep. Mark Mustio Lends Support to Raja’s campaign

MT. LEBANON — Republican leaders from across Allegheny County including State Representative Mark Mustio endorsed D. Raja’s campaign for County Executive today. “Raja’s business commonsense is exactly what we need in a county executive. I know he will work hard to bring jobs back to Allegheny county,” said Rep. Mustio (44th District, Republican). Raja, CEO of a South Hills company and a Mt. Lebanon Commissioner, has launched his campaign for County Executive based on his conservative principles and experience. Raja’s experience cutting taxes as a local commissioner and creating jobs as a CEO set him apart from the field.

“I am honored to have the support of community leaders like Rep. Mustio, who are working hard everyday to make Allegheny County a better place to live. This shows the strength of our campaign for transformational change in Allegheny County,” said Raja.

Former Republican Committee of Allegheny County Chairman Rich Stampahar also released an endorsement noting, “We need a job creator in Allegheny County, and Raja isn’t just talk. He’s delivered. As a CEO, he’s grown his business from a small startup to a company that employs hundreds of people.”

The following other Republican leaders also endorsed Raja’s campaign today:

Rep. Mark Mustio, State Representative
Jacque Baguet, Mt. Lebanon Republican Party Vice Chairwoman
Adele Bonassi, Greentree Republican Party Chairwoman
Sally Duhon, Republican State Committee Member
Jay Goonetilleke, West Mifflin Republican Party Chairman
Chad Hoover, Chalfant Republican Party Chairman
Maxine Niehoff, Churchill Republican Party Former Chairwoman
Jodi Perozich, White Oak Republican Party Chairwoman
Douglas Price, Collier Township Republican Party Chairman
Rich Stampahar, Former RCAC Chairman, Current O’Hara Republican Party Chairman
Woody Turner, Fox Chapel Republican Party Chairman, Republican State Committee Member
Cathy Tress, Moon Township Republican Party Chairwoman
Alan Veeck, Bell Acres Republican Party Chairman
Gary Young, Dormont Republican Party Chairman

In addition, Senator John Pippy had previously endorsed Raja’s campaign.