Rep. McIlhattan Endorsement of Mayor John Stroup

I was very excited to receive the key endorsement of long time State Representative Fred McIlhattan today. Rep. McIlhattan has served this area exceptionally over the past 12 years and like many others, I was sad to hear that he will also be retiring at the end of this term. I have enjoyed working with him on a wide range of issues over the years but especially in our joint opposition of the proposal to toll I-80 over the past eight months and appreciate his support in my candidacy for Congress.

For Immediate Release
March 25, 2008

March 25, 2008

State Representative Fred McIlhattan Endorses Mayor John Stroup for Congress

CLARION – Pennsylvania State Representative Fred McIlhattan (R-63rd) has endorsed John Stroup, candidate for the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District in Congress.

The seat currently is held by John E. Peterson, who announced in January he would not seek re-election to another term in office.

“I am proud to support Clarion Mayor John Stroup in his bid to become our next Congressman,” said McIlhattan. “He has continued to show the leadership it takes to serve rural Pennsylvania in our nation’s capital, whether fighting tolling Interstate 80 and the economic devastation tolling it would bring, protecting access to our rural healthcare system or ensuring that rural Pennsylvania is not left behind.”

Stroup said he was pleased to have earned McIlhattan’s endorsement.

“I am extremely proud to have the support and endorsement of Representative McIlhattan,” said Stroup. “He is highly respected, not just in Clarion County, but across northwestern Pennsylvania, where his hard work and achievements are well-known.”

“I worked for John Peterson and I know him well,” said McIlhattan, who served as Peterson’s aide during his tenure in the Pennsylvania Senate. “I am convinced that John Stroup will continue the same strong, effective, courageous and independent leadership for the 5th District that we have enjoyed from John Peterson.

“Among the nine candidates in the Republican primary, there are not a lot of different opinions on the core conservative issues,” concluded McIlhattan. “However, having known John Stroup personally and professionally for many years, I can tell you he has been a strong, consistent voice for our rural values. He is a mature, respected, experienced leader who needs no on the job training to represent the 5th District in Congress.”

Stroup is continuing his 17 county tour of the 5th Congressional district to meet with voters and discuss his plans to continue strengthening our rural communities and protecting our conservative values.

Authorized by Friends of John Stroup