For IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 2009

– 11TH REPUBLICAN TO WIN SPECIAL ELECTION SINCE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS –

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Republican Jerry Knowles won a strong victory tonight in the special election for House District 124 in the Pennsylvania legislature.  Knowles brings small business and local government experience to the legislature at a crucial time in state government with the current economy.  Knowles win tonight continues the number of Republicans winning at the state and federal level following the November Presidential Election – demonstrating that limited government solutions and individual opportunity is resonating with voters.  The Republican State Leadership Committee, the nation’s largest caucus of Republican state leaders, congratulated Knowles on his election win in Pennsylvania.

“The people of the 124th District will have a tremendous asset in Jerry Knowles as a member of the Pennsylvania House with his experience in small business and local government.  Knowles ran his campaign on the principals of a limited government with lower taxation – and this message resounded with the people of the 124th district,” said RSLC President Scott Ward.  “The future of the Republican Party is bright, as indicative of this special election win tonight in Pennsylvania and the ten other special election wins in regions across the country.  We are working to rebuild the Republican Party by building a farm team for the future at the state level and we welcome Jerry Knowles to the team.”

The RSLC implemented a new media strategy focusing on the special elections in state legislatures across the country – including Pennsylvania – to heighten the awareness of the importance of winning these seats.  In addition to Knowles’ success tonight, Republicans have won ten other special elections for the state legislature since November, including: Barry Knight from the 81st House District of Va. in the backyard of DNC Chairman Governor Tim Kaine; Tom Kovach from the 6th District of the Del. House, which includes Vice President Joe Biden’s hometown; Joan Huffman came from behind to win in a run-off election for the Texas Senate; Marilinda Garcia in the 4th House District of N.H.; and Rosa Rebimbas from the 70th House District of Conn.

The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) is the only national organization whose mission is electing Republicans to the office of Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State and State Legislator. The RSLC is the largest caucus of Republican state leaders in the country – making a national impact one state at a time.

The RSLC has over 75,000 donors from all 50 states supporting the RSLC’s goals to pursue a pro-growth agenda, including reforming the tax code, healthcare and legal systems; promoting a better educational system; encouraging sound energy initiatives; and advocating public safety through tough, crime-fighting policies. During the 2008 election the RSLC helped maintain the number of Republican Attorneys General and Lieutenant Governors across the U.S. In addition, the RSLC was able to deliver new Republican majorities in the Montana, Oklahoma and Tennessee state senates, as well as an unprecedented majority in the Tennessee House of Representatives.