Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Joe Gale announces bid for Pa. governor
Montgomery County’s top elected Republican official, Commissioner Joe Gale, announced his intention Tuesday to run for Pennsylvania governor.
The county commissioner shared his political aspirations in an op-ed sent to MediaNews Group publications.
“As governor, I will hold bad Republicans accountable not just by naming names, but by supporting primary challenges against those who undermine a common-sense conservative agenda — which must begin with election reform,” Gale said. “This means eliminating Pennsylvania’s 50 days of no-excuse mailin voting and mandating that photo-identification be shown at the polls on Election Day.”
In addition to Gale’s critical views of election practices, he’s advocated for pro-life and fiscally conservative policies, he noted in his op-ed.
The Montgomery County native, originally hailing from Plymouth Township, graduated from Temple University’s Fox School of Business.
At 26, Gale was elected to serve as a member of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners in 2015, according to a profile on Montgomery County’s website.
One year later, Gale endorsed then-presidential candidate Donald J.
Trump. Gale remained a staunch supporter throughout Trump’s term in office.
“To continue advancing
the Trump movement, we must remain committed to draining the swamp within the GOP, which is best accomplished by winning Republican primaries,” Gale said.
Gale slammed those in higher office, such as Gov.
Tom Wolf and U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, calling for a change in leadership in the upcoming 2022 midterm election. Neither Wolf, a Democrat, nor Toomey, a Republican, is seeking re-election.
“We cannot afford to replace Gov. Wolf and Sen. Toomey with establishment puppets or fake conservatives who make big speeches and peddle false hope instead of delivering real results,” Gale said.
Gale has used his “Cup of Joe” seminars to meet with potential constituents across the state, many of whom, he said, have inspired him to take the leap for higher office.
“It is quite clear that there is a growing appetite to fill both seats with an independent conservative outsider who has the proven ability to win and the fortitude to lead,” Gale said.
Gale added that his brother, Sean, is also vying for a seat in the U.S. Senate to represent Pennsylvania.
“Although Sean and I will be charging into two different battles, the foundation of each battle is the same: the only path to victory in each race is with a candidate who is pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment, prosmall business, pro-shale, pro-pipeline, pro-Trump and, most importantly, not controlled, influenced or endorsed by Republican Party bosses,” Gale said.
Toomey, who has fallen out of favor with conservative voters, has announced he will not seek re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2022.