A former Republican candidate for governor, and construction and energy law attorney at one of the world’s largest law firms, is running for chair of the county’s Republican committee, recently vacated by Sam DeMarco.
Jason Richey, 53, a native of Aliquippa who now resides in Sewickley, said Wednesday he is running for the county’s chair position to increase local Republicans’ influence, especially in state and local elections. Mr. Richey’s focuses include “strategic outreach, grassroots engagement, and long-term party growth” of the party, according to a statement.
Mr. Richey, who wrestled at Ohio State in college and was a three-time All-American, previously ran for governor in 2022, but dropped out of the race in March of that year. He considered a run for Allegheny County executive in 2023, but ultimately declined.
He said local Republicans need to combat the agenda of the far-left wing of the Democratic Party in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.
“More than ever, we need strong leadership to unite our party and push back on the radical progressives who have placed both Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh on a path to decline,” Mr. Richey said. “A vibrant and active Republican Party is the only antidote to the agenda of decay and financial collapse being imposed by the Democratic left.”
In an interview Wednesday, Mr. Richey said his experience running for governor allowed him to meet Republican leaders across the state, and has connected him with media and political donors that can help advance the goals of the county’s GOP committee.
Mr. Richey said Mr. DeMarco took an organization that was arguably irrelevant in local and state politics and turned it into an influential part of the Republican apparatus. He added, however, that there’s still more work to do.
There are areas of the county that don’t have active local GOP committees and potential voters that would support GOP candidates, Mr. Richey said. Using data about voters and knowing how to help those local committees is vital, he said.
“It's just not a matter of just going and knocking on the door,” Mr. Richey said. “It’s going and knocking on a door where you can actually be effective.”
According to his staff bio on K&L Gates, Mr. Richey has represented World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., and PPG Industries, Inc. among other clients in complex commercial matters, which include civil rights, consumer protections, wrongful deaths, breach of contract, and other matters. He also has worked in the solar and wind industries, along with disputes involving oil and gas pipelines and offshore rigs.
The county’s GOP committee has 45 days from Mr. DeMarco’s resignation to call an election to replace him as chair. Mr. DeMarco said he informed committee members on Jan. 11 he was resigning from that position. But that resignation won’t occur until the election for the chair on Feb. 22, he said.
“Under our bylaws we can’t raise money or pay bills if the Chair is vacated, so I remain until the election ... otherwise we wouldn’t be able to pay our employees, rent, etc.,” Mr. DeMarco said.
He has served as chair since he was elected to serve out the remainder of D. Raja’s term in July 2019. He then was re-elected in July 2022 over Doug Austin, chair of the Richland Township’s GOP committee, by a tally of 245 to 214.
Mr. Richey, who said his favorite political idol is Ronald Reagan, hopes to continue growing the local Republican Party. That means talking about economic issues and promoting a thriving business environment — something he said has floundered under local Democratic leadership, pointing out the ongoing battle over the U.S. Steel merger as one example.
“I think when people start to see this, this sea change of shift and what party’s really fighting for them — for manufacturing, for jobs for the middle class — they're going to come out Republican,” Mr. Richey said. “And so we need to capitalize on that.”
First Published: January 15, 2025, 8:26 p.m.
Updated: January 16, 2025, 5:30 p.m.