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Republican Philly elections official who was target of Trump's attacks is resigning
Just heard this on the radio (KYW) -
Republican Philly elections official who was target of Trump’s attacks is resigning
by Chris Brennan
Updated an hour ago
Al Schmidt, the lone Republican on Philadelphia’s election board and one who staunchly defended the integrity of the 2020 presidential vote, will resign in January to take over as the next president and CEO of the good-government watchdog group the Committee of Seventy. Schmidt, singled out by former President Donald Trump for attacks, said Tuesday that he decided to not seek a fourth four-year term after winning reelection in 2019. Trump’s attacks, and the threats from his followers, did not drive the decision, he said.
Trump went after Schmidt anew on Tuesday after The Inquirer reported on Schmidt’s new job. In an email, Trump referred to Schmidt as a “RINO,” an insult that means Republican in Name Only, and said his departure from the election post was “great news.” Trump, who often issues several emails a day pushing false claims about the 2020 election, called Schmidt “a disaster on the massive election fraud and irregularities which took place in Philadelphia, one of the most corrupt election places in the United States.”
“I’m really excited about this opportunity, especially because it will allow me to continue to fight against the election disinformation and misinformation that is threatening our democracy,” Schmidt, 50, said in an interview Tuesday before Trump assailed him. Michael Stiles, a former U.S. attorney who chairs Seventy’s board of directors, called Schmidt “a perfect fit” for the nonpartisan nonprofit. “He’s faced a very challenging year. He stood up to it,” Stiles said. “I didn’t get any sense that he was leaving out of any desperation or being driven out.”
Stiles said Schmidt has plenty of work ahead of him. “We’ve got elections coming up for senator and governor in Pennsylvania,” Stiles said. “We’ve got the continuing issue of the efficacy of mail ballots. We’ve got that presidential election of 2024 and all that holds.” Schmidt, who is halfway through his third term, announced in January that he would not seek reelection in 2023. He won the seat in 2011 and ran unopposed in the 2015 and 2019 Republican primaries.One of the three seats on the board is reserved for a member who is not part of the majority political party in Philadelphia, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by 7-1.
(snip)
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/city-commissioner-al-schmidt-resigning-president-committee-70-20211130.html
by Chris Brennan
Updated an hour ago
Al Schmidt, the lone Republican on Philadelphia’s election board and one who staunchly defended the integrity of the 2020 presidential vote, will resign in January to take over as the next president and CEO of the good-government watchdog group the Committee of Seventy. Schmidt, singled out by former President Donald Trump for attacks, said Tuesday that he decided to not seek a fourth four-year term after winning reelection in 2019. Trump’s attacks, and the threats from his followers, did not drive the decision, he said.
Trump went after Schmidt anew on Tuesday after The Inquirer reported on Schmidt’s new job. In an email, Trump referred to Schmidt as a “RINO,” an insult that means Republican in Name Only, and said his departure from the election post was “great news.” Trump, who often issues several emails a day pushing false claims about the 2020 election, called Schmidt “a disaster on the massive election fraud and irregularities which took place in Philadelphia, one of the most corrupt election places in the United States.”
“I’m really excited about this opportunity, especially because it will allow me to continue to fight against the election disinformation and misinformation that is threatening our democracy,” Schmidt, 50, said in an interview Tuesday before Trump assailed him. Michael Stiles, a former U.S. attorney who chairs Seventy’s board of directors, called Schmidt “a perfect fit” for the nonpartisan nonprofit. “He’s faced a very challenging year. He stood up to it,” Stiles said. “I didn’t get any sense that he was leaving out of any desperation or being driven out.”
Stiles said Schmidt has plenty of work ahead of him. “We’ve got elections coming up for senator and governor in Pennsylvania,” Stiles said. “We’ve got the continuing issue of the efficacy of mail ballots. We’ve got that presidential election of 2024 and all that holds.” Schmidt, who is halfway through his third term, announced in January that he would not seek reelection in 2023. He won the seat in 2011 and ran unopposed in the 2015 and 2019 Republican primaries.One of the three seats on the board is reserved for a member who is not part of the majority political party in Philadelphia, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by 7-1.
(snip)
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/city-commissioner-al-schmidt-resigning-president-committee-70-20211130.html
He was one of the very rare "sane" (old-school) Republicans who stood his ground in solidarity with the 2 Democratic Commissioners during the 2020 elections here in Philly, including the recounts and ridiculous certification fiasco.
Where he is going is where former GOP PA Governor (and Poppy AG) Dick Thornburgh's son David, is chairing and who planned to step down from that organization - Committee of 70
1 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
That's just ridiculous BS!
When are the Repukes in this state going GROW A PAIR and call him a RINO? People in Pennsylvania are smarter than this. Chump has done nothing good for Pennsylvania. Wise up!
