The Schuylkill County Republican Party's Executive Committee endorsed a full slate of candidates for the Primary Election on May 18 including state Sen. David Argall for the 17th District's Congressional seat, and state Rep. Jerry Knowles for re-election to the 124th Schuylkill Legislative District, in action taken at a meeting held Tuesday evening at the Humane Fire Company hall in Pottsville.
There were contests for the congressional endorsement and for the legislative seat in the 125th Schuylkill. The candidates were: Argall, Schuylkill County; Col. Frank Ryan, Lebanon County, a Marine Corp veteran; Allen Griffith, Myerstown; and Josh First, Dauphin County. Argall, the county GOP's favorite son, won out. The unsuccessful candidates all said they would back the Republican candidate who won the primary election.
Two candidates sought the endorsement for the legislative seat in the 125th District, which covers from Pottsville to the west end of the county and is now held by a Democrat. The party endorsed Michael Tobash, who operates an insurance agency in Schuylkill County and has an office in Tamaqua. He was chosen over Bob Lloyd, of Washington Township
The Republicans also endorsed a candidate for the 123rd Schuylkill Legislative seat, which is also currently held by a Democrat. Endorsed was Ettore G. DiCasimirro, of New Boston, Mahanoy Township, a newcomer to politics.