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Costello downplays fundraising, calls on opponents to match endorsement pledge

Costello downplays fundraising, calls on opponents to match endorsement pledge

Chester County Recorder of Deeds Ryan Costello sought to play down the importance of early fundraising numbers this week, saying he is focused on helping local GOP candidates in next month’s election “as requested by Republican Party leaders.”

Costello, who is running for Congress in the 6th District, did say he had raised $30,000 as of the third quarter filing deadline, and that he did so without holding fundraisers or soliciting contributions from local Republican committees and party insiders. But with both opponents holding significantly more cash on hand early in the race, Costello came back to a pledge he made last month not to run for the seat if the local party organizations endorse someone else.

“One question that I have answered is that I will not run against the party if I am not endorsed and another candidate is endorsed,” Costello said in an e-mail. “It seems timely for my opponents to directly answer this question now as well.

“I look forward to helping elect Republican candidates in 2009, and then moving forward with more aggressive fundraising efforts,” he added. “My December 31st fundraising deadline has always been the benchmark for me, not the October 1st deadline.”

Costello faces state Representative Curt Schroder and businessman Steven Welch in next year’s primary.

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October 14, 2009 at 11:12 am

--Dan Hirschhorn

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  1. Topton Pride

    Oct 14th, 2009

    Excuses.

  2. Brian Kline

    Oct 15th, 2009

    Candidates who are serious about moving forward don’t make statements about dropping out if they don’t receive the Party endorsement. Such a statement is a fund-raising killer. Costello announced with gusto, angered Party leaders, got slammed by weak fund-raising numbers, and now is trying to back out and fall back within the good graces of the GOP.

  3. Walter S.

    Oct 15th, 2009

    If I am Welch or Costello, I do not like Costello’s pledge. I bet they ignore him for as long as possible. In Chester County, running against the Party loses you votes and Costello knows that. Smart move actually.

    I do not think Costello has angered anybody except people already aligned with another candidate. I think Costello is the man in the middle and has more to say but will need to raise serious money by December 31st. He is not a dummy. But if you ask me, it sounds like Brian Kline is a Welch or Schroder supporter trying to take an open shot at Costello.

    It does not seem like this race will be Costello’s last race if he loses, but it could be the last for Welch or Schroder. That is why Costello is pitching the party first mantra. In my opinion, Schroder and Welch could care less about the party, particularly Welch. Welch can always pull a Specter and switch back to being a Democrat.

    Regardless, the next few months should be interesting for the Republican candidates in the 6th.

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