Russian Roulette PT 16: The End … Or a New Beginning?

Foreword by Joshua Prince

As my viewers know, the Russian Roulette series began on July 17, 2023 after my unsuccessful primary campaign for Commonwealth Court judge and my initial intent to bring to light the horrific ways our Party treats its candidates; however, as I explained in that first article, I realized that such would only be divisive and result in less likelihood for our judicial candidates in that election cycle (who, unfortunately, lost across the board). Instead, I decided to focus on the issues within the PAGOP, pleaded with Chairman Tabas to intervene, and when he didn’t, put forth a partial plan to save the Party.

While I cannot describe the sheer amount of positive response to the series that I’ve received from across the Commonwealth, unfortunately, it has fallen on deaf ears at the top. There’s been no action to save the Party; the only action has been by those in power to attempt to consolidate that dwindling power…and all of this, as we enter the *most* important election of our lifetimes.

But there’s hope. There’s a new generation of conservative Republicans not just across this Commonwealth but across the U.S. And one of them, I am extremely proud to call my wife, Jessica, who not only was by my side throughout my entire candidacy but as a result of seeing all the issues with the PAGOP, immediately got involved and over a very short period of time, has developed a name and reputation for herself within the Party. And as I don’t want to steal her thunder, I will let her describe her recent rise to prominence and her plan to save our Party. With this, I am passing the torch of the Russian Roulette series to her, to decide whether it will continue on or perhaps a new series – a series regarding hope and prosperity of a new PAGOP under new leadership – will emerge.

By Jessica Prince

The past two years have been a whirlwind for me. From marrying the love of my life on November 5, 2022 to virtually the next day starting Josh’s campaign for Commonwealth Court judge, to, most recently, beginning our family through the IVF process so that we can ensure that our children don’t inherit a genetic condition from which I suffer. But, quite honestly, that doesn’t start to scratch the surface and likely not why you’re reading this…

During Josh’s campaign, beyond the horrific way Josh and others were treated by some within the State Committee, I saw, firsthand, the mounting issues and fractures within the Party. Worse yet, no one, other than Josh and a coalition of Patriots, tried to stop the bleed or offered solutions. And we saw the result, an across-the-board loss by all our statewide judicial candidates in 2023. We also lost control of the PA House of Representatives. All of this could have been prevented, if we had leadership and leadership that was forward thinking.

It was at that point that I realized that to perfect the necessary change and to ensure a strong conservative Commonwealth for our future children to grow up in, I had to take action. I immediately joined the Berks County GOP – East Region and within weeks, because of my get sh*t done mentality, I was elected vice-chair. And not long thereafter, due to a vacancy on the state committee, the County Chair appointed me to that position, where I have continued to serve conservatives of this Commonwealth. In fact, just this past weekend, I was at the State Committee meeting that was an absolute joke, but more on that shortly. Also during this time, I started Rights Above Wealth (“RAW”), a political action committee designed to support true conservative candidates, at all levels (from school board to statewide candidates), across our Commonwealth.

The reason I mention these things is not for accolades. Rather, it is so the readers have an idea of my firsthand experience, which has resulted in me being in a position to be able to identify and address the issues of our Party, in order to save it. It can be saved, but as Josh has said, it is going to take a lot of work and requires go-getters. And perhaps the biggest issue that we will have to contend with is the anticipated success of President Trump and resultantly, those within the PAGOP taking credit for it and PA Republicans mistakenly believing the Party is back at the helm with a plan moving forward, when President Trump’s success will be a result of his own doing and future PA Republican races will continue to be as bleak as they have been in 2020-2024, because the Party lacks a plan or any forward thinking. 

And that needs to change. My proposed plan is not for the timid or weak of heart. It will require transparent men and women of true virtue, who have the Party’s (not their own) best interest as their North Star and are energetic and willing to work tirelessly towards mending the fissures and uniting our Party.

So, with all of this in mind, here is my 2 and 5 year plan for the PAGOP to WIN AGAIN!

Within 2 Years

While I have listed these to be completed within two years, I truly believe many of these changes should be able to be accomplished and implemented, with cooperation of State Committee, within the first year, as it is crucial that we immediately stop the bleed, return to the direct primary system and provide transparency.

Get Over Our Addiction to Losing: A prior political satire article on The Babylon Bee almost nailed the current state of affairs of the PAGOP – Republican Party Checks Into Rehab For Addiction To Losing – wherein Ronna McDaniel, (at the time) Chairwoman of the Republican National Party, was quoted as saying: 

Once we got that first taste of losing, we just couldn’t stop…Next thing you know, you have to lose even bigger just to match the thrill of that first crushing defeat. It’s a vicious cycle.

Of course, Ronna is no longer the Chairwoman – showing that we are prepared to stop the bleed and at least, at the national level, realized that change was absolutely necessary. But why did I say the satirical article almost nailed the current state of affairs of the PAGOP? Because the PAGOP, up to this point, has failed to accept that it has an addiction for losing, which is necessary if anything is going to change. This is the first step and why I have listed it in this order. This may not make complete sense, if you haven’t read Josh’s Russian Roulette series, but I guarantee you that if you do, your eyes will no longer be wide shut. 

New Leadership in 2025. Pursuant to the Bylaws, no later than the 6th Saturday after January 1st following the Presidential election, an Election of Officers Meeting is to be held, where the Officers of the State Party (Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, and Assistant Secretary) are to be elected by the State Party (i.e. generally, state committee). The Deputy Chairman and Assistant Treasurer are appointed by the Chairman.

PA Supreme Court Reform in 2025. Due to our failure in 2015 to win any of the three vacancies on the PA Supreme Court, we have seen a host of politically-driven decisions by the Court, including usurpation of the General Assembly’s constitutionally provided power to enact districting maps and its upholding of the unconstitutional Act 77 (mail-in balloting). But, in 2025, we have the opportunity to remove the three liberal justices that were elected, through the 10 year retention vote. Why the PAGOP has not already been informing voters of this already is mind-boggling to me. But, we must immediately let our voters know that in 2025, we can completely reform the Court, before those liberal justices eviscerate all of our inviolate rights.

67 Day, 67 County Listening Tour: The new Chair, Deputy Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary should go on a 67 day, 67 county listening tour to hear what those involved in the Party, as well as, the regular and non-voters, have to say regarding their frustration and issues with the Party. The calendar of the tour should be posted well in advance of the tour to ensure that those interested have the opportunity to become aware of it. During each of the meetings, the Secretary must compile a list of the constructive criticism and concerns raised and after the 67 county tour, compile a complete list, without duplication, of all issues that need to be addressed. Thereafter, the Chair, Deputy Chair, and Vice Chair must formulate a comprehensive and cohesive plan to address the issues raised and unite our Party.

Bylaw Amendments: There are numerous changes to the Bylaws that are necessary to bring our Party into the 21st Century, ensure transparency, and provide proper checks on power. In this vein, I remember when my husband, as the President of the Pottstown Police Athletic League (PAL), set-forth to amend their non-profit Bylaws. As they received a substantial amount of funding from La Salle University, part of the funding-agreement provided that if there were to be any amendments to the Bylaws, La Salle’s non-profit group was to be provided an opportunity to review and approve of them in advance of enactment. During the meeting, they could not believe the amendments that Josh had put forth, as they not only provided substantial checks on the powers of the other officers and directors, but also upon the president. They couldn’t believe that a sitting president would propose checks on his own power. As Josh responded, “These checks on the presidency aren’t about me; I know who I am and my moral and ethical compass. It’s about everyone who comes after me and ensuring that the best interest of the organization always comes first.” And that is exactly the North Star that we need to follow in amending the PAGOP’s Bylaws. 

The Bylaw amendments that I am proposing include:

1. Codify the direct primary system into the Bylaws. As Josh and the PA Patriot Coalition previously reviewed, in 1860, in Crawford, PA, due to Republican members feeling disenfranchised by the convention nomination/endorsement process and the need, for the survival of the Party, to find a process by which everyone’s voice would be heard and given equal weight, the Party adopted the direct primary process, with the understanding that if our members were provided a voice and equal say in the primary regarding the candidates, even if one’s particular candidate was not successful, we would all unify, as Republicans, in the general election. In codifying this into the Bylaws, we would preclude the state Party and County committees from endorsing any candidate in the primary, unless for exceptional cause shown, where 90% of state committee members vote in favor through a roll call vote and that in no instance may a member of a local, county, or state GOP be reprimanded or removed for their support of another Republican in a primary election.

2. Require roll call votes for every vote. Would you be surprised to learn that the Bylaws, by default, only require a voice vote?!?! So, whomever can shout the loudest – regardless of the actual number of votes – wins the vote. This is absurd. A roll call vote, where each member’s vote is recorded, should be required and every time a vote is taken, the members’ votes are to be recorded and made available to the membership. Beyond providing transparency, it would provide accountability, which we should demand of all of our elected officials.

3. Access and transparency of the annual budget. As a state committee member, even I don’t know what the annual budget is, who is receiving what compensation, and what expenditures have been approved. Pursuant to the current Bylaws, it is only the Chairman that can direct the Treasurer to pay expenditures and only the Chairman has access, at all times, to the ledgers of who was paid, when, and how much. While the Bylaws provide that the records are *supposed* to be “made available upon written request, to any member of the State Party, during normal business hours,” my request of Wednesday, October 16, 2024, as of today, has been ignored. If it is responded to, I will update this article.

4. Removal of genders-specific requirements. While they may have been enacted with a well-intentioned mindset of empowering women, the requirements of each county having an equal number of male and female state committee members and the chairman and vice-chairman being of the opposite gender are repulsive and fails to recognize that as a Party, we should only be electing the best candidates, without consideration of gender. That is not only what our Party deserves, but also, what every single Republican voter deserves. 

5. Proxies. In this day in age, there is no reason why an individual cannot virtually submit a digitally signed and verified proxy to the PAGOP, either with that member’s vote or empowering another member, of his same county, to vote on his behalf.

6. Electronic notice and virtual attendance. Similarly, there is no reason for notice needing to be provided via USPS mail or what the Bylaws refer to as “Remote Access Participation” be limited to six locations. Of course, the Party violates its own Bylaws (in violation of the non-profit laws) in these natures, without concern, most recently in January of this year, when via text message it improperly called a “Special Meeting” to be held via Zoom for endorsement of our Attorney General candidate. 

7. Candidate integrity committee. Voters – especially those who are independent – across the Nation are fed up with the lack of veracity in statements and ads by candidates. It is therefore imperative that we establish a candidate integrity committee that will review statements and ads by our statewide candidates and, where it is determined that a particular statement or ad is inaccurate, false, or purposely deceptive, reach out to the candidate and demand that it be corrected. If the candidate refuses, the committee, in conjunction with the Chair, will issue, in an appropriate manner, a correction to the candidate’s statement or ad.

8. Candidate support committee. To even my surprise, the Party does not reach out to its own candidates at the state or local level. Not to ask if there’s anything that the Party can assist with (not that it has any money…but that’s a separate issue) nor to ask simply how our candidate is doing. Do you know how disheartening it is to hear from statewide candidates that no one within the Party can pick up the phone just to say, “hey, how are you doing?” That needs to change and both the state and local committees need to provide outreach for our candidates.

9. Local resolution committee. As so many local committees are fractured by longtime infighting and failure by the state Party to mediate and resolve the fissures, it is necessary to immediately institute a resolution committee, whose job will be to work on mediating and resolving those issues, as divisiveness within our own Party is precluding us from WINNING AGAIN!

10. Donor outreach committee. There is a reason the PAGOP no longer owns its own headquarters in Harrisburg. There’s a reason the PAGOP, by all accounts, is virtually broke. It didn’t used to be that way and it doesn’t have to be that way moving forward. I believe if we show our prior donors that we are serious about turning this into the PAGOP Revitalized (or 2.0), donors will once again support us. It won’t happen overnight, but it needs to happen, if there is any future for the PAGOP. Thus, it is imperative that we institute a committee whose focus will be on donor outreach; where it won’t merely call or email current or former donors to ask for support, but rather, to inform them of the changes that have occurred, ones that are being proposed, and if they have any thoughts or concerns they wish to relay to leadership.

Draft Bylaws for Local Committees: The Party should provide sample, draft Bylaws, consistent with the state Bylaws, for local committees to enact.

Legal Response Team (LRTs): The party should immediately reach out to attorneys, across the Commonwealth, who are willing to provide pro bono services on election day to address any issues that may arise. While it would be phenomenal to have attorneys in every county who are members of the local LRT – which is something I would strive to implement – there should be, at a minimum, an attorney in each Caucus region, who is prepared to address any issues in the counties covered by that region. As there are likely attorneys who are willing to provide their services pro bono, but don’t know the first thing about election law, the Party should provide training to all those attorneys, who are willing to be part of an LRT.

Mail-in Ballot Initiative: It is imperative that we continue our mail-in ballot initiative. We have been very successful in warming up our voters to mail-in ballots, now that they are here for the foreseeable future. However, we need to continue our outreach. As I have told SO many voters, if you want a paper ballot, you can still get one if you request a mail-in ballot. If you’re concerned about mailing, you can take it to your county board of election services and file it in person. And most importantly, you know how RED Florida is? Well, recognizing that they were behind the times, they started a mail-in ballot initiative and that is the reason for Florida being that RED. They have early voting, mail-in voting, and day of voting and the Republicans consistently win elections there.

Raising Funds. We need to develop new ways to raise funds. As just one idea, there are plenty of hardcore conservatives in the Music Industry. Why haven’t we reached out to see if they’d consider, for example, putting on a concert to raise funds for us? As everyone knows that Pennsylvania decides the Presidency, it shouldn’t matter whether they are residents or not of PA, as they should want to help the Party. This is just one example of the outside-the-box-thinking that we need to raise revenue.

Did I tell you that my plan wasn’t for the faint of heart? Well, if you’re interested in where we go from here, let me introduce you to my 5 year plan.

Within 5 Years

Obviously, certain things in my 2 year plan should be complete (i.e. Bylaw amendments); however, many will continue on through the 5 year plan and beyond. Thus, beyond those ongoing parts, we need to become far more forward thinking.

New Leadership in 2029: In all likelihood, as my 2 year plan is absolutely brutal (but necessary) if properly carried out, the 2025 leadership will be utterly exhausted and be looking for new leadership to take the reins by 2029. Of course, there is overlap with a 5 year plan, as the 2025 leadership would begin to implement the following plan (and of course, hopefully complete some or all of it, in advance of the 2029 leadership).

All Inclusive Website: We need to fund and implement a new-age website that not only provides up-to-date information to our voters, but also provides secure access for all state and county committee members to stay abreast of issues and coordinate events. For example, every county should have its own section, where it would be required to maintain its calendar of events. Each of those calendars of events could then be imposed on one another, as well as, the state Party’s calendar of events to check for possible conflicts and allow for the coordination (to better benefit statewide candidates) of Lincoln Day events. Could you imagine, if it could be coordinated so candidates weren’t ping-ponging back and forth across this huge Commonwealth? Do you know how more productive they could be? The website would also provide each candidate, during his cycle, with the ability to have a section devoted to their candidacy. There would also be a forum, which would have sub-forums for each county, candidate, issue…etc. This would provide an ability for those related to or interested in specific committees, candidates, and/or topics to stay abreast, without being added to a group chat, which the person ends up either leaving or muting and never reviewing. It would also monumentally simplify things for statewide candidates, who could address an issue a single time – like when are your yard signs going to be in – without having to relay it to 134 people, because for each county, statewide candidates always end up having to address the same question with at least two of the county’s members…And all of this is just the tip of the iceberg to what we could do.

Social Media Revamp: Let’s be honest. Our social media platforms are from the MySpace days…For those who aren’t aware of MySpace, it was one of the first social media platforms in the early 2000s. All of our social media sites need to be revamped and we need to expand out to all of the major ones, while continuing to stay abreast of new social media platforms and technologies. 

Consider Buying a Headquarters: In today’s political climate, as the PaGOP, we cannot afford not to own our own HQ building, if we’re in a financial position to be able to procure one.

And that’s it!

My hope is that this article and my plan will generate a healthy discussion about how to save our Party, including other ideas, as it is imperative that action be taken. So, let the discussion begin!