Former state representative from Apollo stumps for lieutenant governor

Old friends reunited at a meet-and-greet for Republican lieutenant governor candidate Jeff Coleman on Tuesday at Ryan’s Creek House near Ford City.

A former state representative and Apollo councilman, Coleman is campaigning across the state with a focus on bipartisanship and civility at a time when politics are facing division and discourse.

He caught up with Mary Kay and Joseph Oliver of Gilpin, of the former Oliver’s IGA in Apollo, during a luncheon.

The Olivers recalled hiring a then-14-year-old Coleman as a grocery stock boy.

The couple, now retired, said Coleman showed an outstanding work ethic during his four years of employment.

“We haven’t seen him in about a decade,” said Joseph Oliver, 68, at the petition signing event held for Coleman. “He loved politics back then and his work ethic was outstanding.”

Mary Kay Oliver said Coleman had a pulse on politics as a teenager.

“We’re so very proud of him. He would be wonderful as lieutenant governor with his charisma and we always thought he would end up in the White House,” she said.

Coleman relocated to Apollo from the Philippines in 1988 when his father served as pastor at Bible Presbyterian Church in Apollo.

The son of missionaries, Coleman previously lived in South America, Africa and four years in Manila, the Philippine capital.

In 1986, the Coleman family experienced the electoral defeat and overthrow of a 22-year dictator Ferdinand Marcos as 2 million Filipinos protested in the streets over election fraud.

Coleman has referred to that event as the beginning of his interest in politics.

Coleman graduated from Orchard Hills Christian Academy in Apollo in 1988, and later, earned a degree in government from Liberty University.

The Olivers were among numerous supporters dropping in Tuesday to sign their names in support of Coleman.

Coleman’s communications director Corey Barsky said that candidates must obtain 1,000 nomination signatures from Pennsylvania Republicans, and 100 signatures must be obtained from five counties.

Barsky said targeted counties included Armstrong, Butler, Indiana and Allegheny.

In 2000, Coleman, at age 25, was the youngest person elected to the 60th House District, which included parts of Armstrong and Indiana counties.

Additionally, he was the first Filipino-American to serve in the General Assembly.

Coleman decided not to seek re-election in 2004 after serving two terms and, instead, began his consulting firm, Churchill Strategies.

Jorn Jensen, 71, of West Franklin Township, said he attended Tuesday’s event because he likes Coleman’s campaign message.

“He’s running on a clean campaign and he has honest values,” Jensen said.

Coleman said he’s running on a message of civility and as a “champion of goodness.”

“Civility is disappearing and it’s preventing laws from being passed,” Coleman said. “People are anxious, frustrated and fearful. It’s a deadlock on both sides.”

His personal priorities include rebuilding the workforce, reestablishing and valuing small towns, and reforming education.

Coleman has been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey. Coleman had been among the first to back Toomey when Toomey beat incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter in 2010.

Coleman faces competition from at least 11 other candidates in the Republican primary: John Brown, Jerry Carnicella, Teddy Daniels, Carrie Lewis DelRosso, Russ Diamond, Chris Frye, Angela Grant, James Jones, Rick Saccone, Clarice Schillinger and Jen Gilliland Vanasdale.

The lieutenant governor is the second ranking officer of Pennsylvania’s executive branch and is first in line to succeed the governor should he or she be unable to continue serving.

Candidates for lieutenant governor must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen and a Pennsylvania resident for at least seven years.

Duties include presiding over the state Senate and chairing the state Board of Pardons.

Coleman was scheduled to attend another petition signing event Tuesday evening at Shultz’s Gun Shop in Kiski Township.