More than 200 people attended the 54th annual GOP Lincoln Day Dinner at the Pottsville Club in Pottsville Saturday night, which is the kick-off for the start of the political campaign in the county.

The key note speaker was Steve Welsh, of Malvern, Chester County, the endorsed candidate of the state Republilcan Committee, who is one of four candidates seeking the party's nomination in the April 24 Primary Election for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Democrat Bob Casey Jr.Gary Bender, chairman of the Schuylkill County Republican Party, welcomed an enthusiastic audience looking to present a strong ticket for the November General Election. Bender introduced the candidates from the county, incumbents as well as their challengers and all received a rousing round of applause.David Argall, the county's leading vote getter, is seeking re-election to his second term as state senator from the 29th Senatorial district and his challenger, Brian Rich, of Orwigsburg, of the Reading Anthracite Coal Company.Jerry Knowles, seeking re-election as a state representative of the 124th District, and his challenger, Larry Padora, of New Ringgold.Although not present, Laureen Cummings, is seeking the party's nomination for U.S. Congress from the 17th Congressional District which is now held by Democrat Tim Holden. Speaking on her behalf was John Bradley.Welsh launched the campaign by attacking the Casey, whom he claimed has been a "rubber stamp" for President Obama. "Here is a man who is clearly more worried about by-partisan politics than what is best for Pennsylvania," Welsh said.Welsh said he believes it is time for structural reform in Washington, D.C. and term limits is the key. He also said there should be a ban on congressmen and senators from lobbying. "Going to the United States Senate should be a privilege not a road to riches like the way it has become," Welsh said.Welsh is a successful businessman. He was founder of Mitos, a bioilogical and vaccine drug industry and was co-founder of Dreamit Ventures, a technology company which is now running programs in Philadelphia and New York City and turning out 25+ tech companies per year. Welsh is a son of an engineer and teacher and grew up in Chester County and attend Penn State University where he earned a mechanical engineeering degree.As an Eisenhower Fellow, he has traveled all over the world studying all aspects of economic development . In 2011 he founded an educational technology company, Kinder Town, which is a business dealing with helping parents engage in their children's education at an early age.Welsh is married to his childhood friend, Nicole, and they have two daughters, ages four and a new born and a son, two years old.The dinner committee was chaired by Bob Ames plus Ron Downey, Burt Hetherington, Mary Lambert, Howard Merrick, Shelly Moyer, Attorney Eric Prock, Meghan Jones Prock and Peggy Zimmerman.