LOCK HAVEN — At their annual Lincoln Day Dinner, triumphant Clinton County Republicans celebrated their recent political victories, vowed to take back Pennsylvania’s judiciary and honored their own.

Eager to celebrate on the heels of President Donald Trump and the greater GOP’s electoral success in November and the avowed triumphs of their anti-establishment, pro-corporate platform, all ranks of Clinton County Republicans and other elected officials, from around Northcentral Pa. and the state at large, gathered at the Red Eye Center in Flemington on Saturday for their yearly dinner.

The Lincoln Day Dinner is an annual celebration and fundraising event for the Republican Party, typically held in February near President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.

The evening featured a meal catered by The Cottage Restaurant in Mill Hall, the naming of the county’s Republicans of the Year and a host of speakers, including Pa. Superior Court candidate Judge Ann Marie Wheatcroft, U.S. Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, County Treasurer candidates Michelle Kunes and Leslie Clukey, Dr. Raj Patel, Sen. Cris Dush and keynote speaker Pa. Treasurer Stacy Garrity.

The dinner began with a social hour featuring appetizers sponsored by Glenn “GT” Thompson, Cris Dush and Stephanie Borowicz, who was unable to attend the dinner due to a family emergency. During the social hour, nominating petitions circulated for various Republican candidates seeking access to the ballot for the 2025 elections.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the attendees first heard from Judge Ann Marie Wheatcroft, a candidate for Pennsylvania Superior Court — one of the commonwealth’s three statewide appellate courts.

The new President Judge of Chester County, Wheatcroft has years of experience in presiding over and prosecuting all manner of criminal and civil cases as a judge and assistant district attorney.

Known for her work in Treatment Courts, she advocates for courthouse canines like her beloved Stormy, who supports children giving testimony, and recently received an award for her distinguished service in rehabilitation.

“While I have imposed harsh sentences when it was appropriate for people who commit violent crimes, I also am a huge advocate of diverting people who are non-violent offenders into treatment, whether it be substance use disorder or mental health treatment or veterans court,” said Wheatcroft.

Two weeks ago, the judge won the endorsement of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania’s state committee, alongside Erie County native Matthew Wolford for Commonwealth Court.

“I have decided to run for Superior Court because I have personal experience with what happens when you do not have judges with conservative values on the Superior Court bench,” said Wheatcroft, who used a story about a trial she prosecuted involving an indecent assault case at West Chester University that was overturned by the Superior Court to emphasize the importance of her election.

“I tell you that story so that you can tell the people you know why Superior Court judges are important. They have a tremendous amount of power over what happens in police work and criminal court,” she said.

“The panel of three judges on Superior Court who overturned that verdict had probably 15 law clerks between them. There is no way they couldn’t find the correct law,” Wheatcroft continued. “They just didn’t like it,” she said, accusing the justices of ruling on their politics rather than the facts.

With the bench split in favor of Democrats and three Democratic justices up for retention elections, Republicans see an opportunity to reclaim Pennsylvania’s appellate courts, which have an enormous impact on state politics and on the daily lives of Pennsylvanians.

Wheatcroft received the endorsements of several notable Republicans in attendance, with nearly every speaker reiterating the importance of electing Wheatcroft and Wolford and voting against the Democrats’ retention.

“These judge elections are absolutely critical,” said Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, who represents U.S. Congressional District 15 in Pennsylvania. He asked attendees to reflect on what he described as the abuses experienced during COVID and the 2020 presidential election because of the Democrat-majority, “very liberal” state Supreme Court.

“These are the folks that have abused things tremendously over and over again. They don’t deserve to be on the bench,” he said, urging the Republicans in the room to vote “no” on the Democrats up for retention on the Supreme Court in November.

“If we come out and use the same kind of organization and energy we saw in 2024, and we vote ‘no,’ then we will have open seats where we can run a Republican,” said Thompson, the Dean of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation.

Reflecting on last year’s election, Thompson said the efforts of the Republican Party paid dividends.

“Your hard work held the House, we won the Senate and we put Donald J. Trump back in the White House. It doesn’t get better than that,” said Thompson.

“America is well on its way to being stronger, safer, wealthier and yes, greater,” he added, thanking the crowd for contributing to his victory. He acknowledged that Clinton County, once a Democratic stronghold, was flipped through hard work on the ground, a trend they hope to emulate statewide.

Thompson lauded Trump’s executive actions, leadership and “sledgehammer diplomacy,” expressing pride in working alongside him.

“America is tired of soft diplomacy and unfulfilled promises,” said GT, alleging that an increasing number of independents and Democrats are backing the party. “I think people are realizing this is a new golden era for the United States of America.”

As the House Committee on Agriculture chairman, Thompson took time to highlight agriculture and celebrate farmers. He also announced the passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and expressed optimism about passing a much-needed farm bill, the most recent of which was passed in 2018.

Thompson blamed the United States’ 46 percent agricultural trade deficit on excessive regulations and pointed out that, in 2025, many farmers will not be able to afford to borrow for new seeds and livestock.

“In difficult times, agriculture is what holds the economy together,” said GT. “You know what happens when farmers can’t farm and produce? Food insecurity. And what happens when food insecurity occurs? National insecurity.”

Thompson’s comments were to be followed by a statement from newly elected Pa. Attorney General Dave Sunday; however, he was unable to attend due to a mass shooting at a UPMC facility in York County earlier in the day. Pa. Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who spoke later, led the crowd in a moment of silence for those affected by the tragedy.

Next, County Treasurer candidates Michelle Kunes and Leslie Clukey made their case for why Clinton County’s Republicans should back them in the May primary election.

“I am seeking reelection to continue to provide stability in the Treasurer’s Office for you, the people of Clinton County,” said Michelle “Mick” Kunes, a lifelong county resident and incumbent with 34 years of experience in the treasurer’s office.

As treasurer, she oversees all county revenues across 46 separate accounts, acts as tax collector for 20 municipalities and is responsible for issuing a variety of licenses to residents.

Kunes emphasized her strong record, stating that she has always received positive audits. She was also proud to announce that her work helped ensure the county did not need tax revenue anticipation loans to cover operating costs this year.

“I am always looking for better ways to serve the people of Clinton County,” she said. Kunes is both responsible for the implementation of a drop off box at the office as well as the ability to make online and debit and credit card transactions.

“I am so dedicated to do the services that you elected me to do, that I refused the early retirement incentive that was offered to me last year because I felt the importance of keeping experience in the treasurer’s office when the office is all new staff,” she said.

Challenger Leslie Clukey is a life-long Clinton County resident and conservative Republican with 37 years of financial and business skills who advertises herself as an experienced leader and problem-solver with a strong work ethic and effective communication skills, dedicated to providing reliable service.

Having worked her way up from part-time teller to corporate vice president at Lock Haven’s branch of First Commonwealth Bank, Clukey took initiative to develop her skills to better serve the community, customers and her employer.

“In banking and community volunteer work, one of my greatest accomplishments is the satisfaction of knowing I’ve been able to improve the financial lives of my customers,” said Clukey.

She cited her experience as a new board member for a local nonprofit, where she found ways to improve their earnings. Clukey claims to have helped increase their profits from less than $2,000 to over $19,000 in just one account, allowing them to surpass the $1 million mark in their funds. Clukey said she is eager to help the county generate more income from its investments and achieve cost savings in a similar manner.

“When I am elected, you will find me to be the first employee at work and the last one to leave the office. I will be there for the people of Clinton County, personally assisting them with their questions and concerns,” said Clukey. “I am committed to doing any necessary training to be the best treasurer for this county.”

Afterward, Dr. Raj Patel, a pulmonologist in Lock Haven and a 33-year resident of Clinton County, delivered a special guest speech on his perspective of the current political climate.

“I am honored to be here because tonight I have an opportunity to express my views as a U.S. citizen,” said Patel.

In his remarks, he expressed gratitude that Donald Trump survived the July 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pa., claiming that America was being ridiculed abroad.

“We are supposed to be the lighthouse of the world, but there was a darkness everywhere,” Patel said, criticizing the Biden administration for sending billions in military aid to Ukraine while not providing enough support for American hurricane victims and seniors.

“I have so many senior citizens living on $800, $900, $1,000 per month, having to decide whether to buy food or medicine,” he said.

He also decried high prices, foreign investments and how universities are handling pro-Palestinian protesters, whom he referred to as “Hamas people.”

Patel stressed that the party’s work is not done yet, as he sees university students being “brainwashed” and “lost” in their liberal views.

“We need to go house to house and tell people how bad the Biden administration has been,” he said.

Keynote speaker Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacey Garrity, who won her election with the most votes for a statewide candidate in the state’s history, spoke at length about the party’s recent successes and the promising future she envisions for Pennsylvania.

She celebrated the election of President Donald Trump and the loss of Senator Bob Casey, specifically that, “the Keystone State sent two entrenched Democrat members of congress into retirement.”

Garrity expressed optimism about the changing political landscape, noting that the gap between Democrats and Republicans in the state has narrowed significantly in the last decade, diminishing the Democrats’ once million-strong voter lead.

“Soon enough, Pennsylvania will flip to a red state,” she predicted.

She attributed this shift not to misinformation or demographic changes but to a widespread frustration with the status quo, particularly the failures of the Biden administration and its foreign policies. She emphasized that people are tired of being sidelined by distant wars, weak leadership and the suppression of their opinions.

Garrity also expressed concern about the future, pointing to what she called “fraudulent accusations about Russia,” persistent personal attacks from the media and “fake stories from anonymous sources.” She criticized Democrats for what she saw as the destruction of some of the nation’s most revered institutions.

“Imagine what they’re planning now that they know he means business,” she said.

Garrity claimed that Trump has brought over a trillion dollars in foreign investments into the U.S. and countered what she called “leftist propaganda,” which, in her view, misrepresents undocumented immigrants as harmless individuals simply seeking work, despite the fact that ICE has arrested many migrants with criminal backgrounds.

Garrity also praised the end of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) programs and what she described as the “chainsaw massacre” of ineffective government programs. She applauded Trump’s foreign policy, noting that he has put enemies on notice and set boundaries for allies.

“All of these common sense measures are good for the American people, but a death sentence for the evil forces at play within our own country and abroad,” said Garrity.

Concluding her remarks, Garrity stressed the importance of continuing to win races at every level to keep the Democrats distracted and to ensure President Trump can continue “fighting for the American people.” “The fight isn’t over yet,” she said. “It’s just beginning,” reflecting that Pennsylvania’s red-wave is the key to securing the future of our country.

To close out the evening, Kurt Smith honored Vicki Adams, Bill Stankiewicz and Kevin Johnson as co-Republicans of the Year. He also presented Matt Sheasley with a special award for his outstanding voter registration efforts. The event concluded with a message of hope for the party’s future, reinforcing their commitment to shaping the direction of America in the years ahead.