Editorial: Is Westmoreland Republicans’ endorsement too early?
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Endorsement is the stamp of approval that an organization — or an individual — gives a candidate in an election.
Unions do it. Professional associations do it. Other elected officials do it. News organizations can decide to do it. Although the Tribune-Review and some other news agencies don’t believe it is appropriate, other publications disagree.
But one of the most consequential endorsements that can be given — particularly in a year when the ballot is about more municipal and county races — comes from the local arm of a political party.
This is when the people who know the candidates really have an opportunity to speak to their constituents about who they believe should do the job.
At least, it should be.
On Saturday, the Westmoreland County Republican Committee met to decide who would get its endorsement for the May primary.
If this seems a bit early, you aren’t wrong. Candidates could only begin circulating nominating petitions to qualify for a place on the ballot Tuesday, three days after the 250 committee members voted.
They gave their support to the incumbents: commissioners Sean Kertes and Doug Chew, Treasurer Jared Squires, Sheriff James Albert (who was a Democrat when he ran in 2019), Controller Jeffrey Balzer, Recorder of Deeds Frank Schiefer and Register of Wills Sherry Magretti-Hamilton.
And that is fine. It’s not altogether unexpected. These are candidates who already have shown they are electable. That is a primary concern. When a party has cemented a position the way the Republicans have in Westmoreland County, it is unsurprising that they want to stick with the slate that has showed it can win.
The question is how would-be candidates feel about it. Does this lock them out of participating? Many people might not have made announcements or even decisions yet.
The committee met much earlier this year than usual. Will that timing and this decision dissuade good candidates from stepping up and getting involved?
This is a question broader than Westmoreland. More and more, it seems like forces other than the people are taking precedence over the decision- making when it comes to elections. It’s about money. It’s about influence. It’s about how this year’s election will affect next year’s ballot.
Americans for Prosperity announced this month it will pick a single Republican candidate in advance of the GOP primary, suggesting it would counter former president Donald Trump’s third run. Meanwhile, Democrats have switched up their primary process, moving South Carolina ahead of traditional starting-point Iowa.
It is unfair to the voters and candidates to reorganize the process like moving pieces on a board game. It’s high time the endorsement go to the people over the politics.