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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Despite somewhat dismal results in the 2018 mid-term election, the Republican Party of Pennsylvania is alive and well and preparing for 2019 and 2020.</p><p>Val DiGiorgio, chairman of the state GOP, said he has done a lot of soul-searching since the mid-term to plan where the party goes from here.</p><p>&#8220;We have to get back to our roots,&#8221; DiGiorgio said in a Friday interview at the Times Leader office. &#8220;We have to return to the days of Abraham Lincoln and be the true party of social justice.&#8221;</p><p>DiGiorgio said Republican turnout in November was high, but Democratic turnout was higher. Currently, Democrats have an 800,000 voter registration edge in Pennsylvania.</p><p>&#8220;Our party needs to appeal more to suburban voters,&#8221; DiGiorgio said. &#8220;We need to send a strong message on the issues, like health care. We have to make it clear that the Republican Party supported and has supported the inclusion of pre-existing conditions in any health care plan.&#8221;</p><p>DiGiorgio said he was in Washington, D.C., Thursday to meet with the Trump campaign people to discuss the GOP plan for Pennsylvania in 2020.</p><p>&#8220;They were very happy that we are focused on 2020 so early,&#8221; DiGiorgio said. &#8220;We expect there will be thousands of volunteers for the campaign and we must appeal to a broader base.&#8221;</p><p>DiGiorgio said President Donald Trump has been making good on his 2016 campaign promises. He said the economy has improved, jobs are returning from overseas, he remains steadfast in wanting to build &#8220;the wall&#8221; to secure the southern border, he has gotten our allies to pay their fair share and he has appointed conservative judges to the U.S. Supreme Court and lower federal courts.</p><p>&#8220;All that Democrats talk about is impeaching Trump,&#8221; DiGiorgio said. &#8220;That seems to be the only thing on their agenda, when there are real issues out there.&#8221;</p><p>Meanwhile, DiGiorgio said this week&#8217;s announcement by GOP Congressman Tom Marino that he will be resigning came as a shock to many.</p><p>&#8220;Congressman Marino is a dedicated public servant,&#8221; DiGiorgio said. &#8220;The Republican Party of Pennsylvania thanks him for his many contributions to the people of his district and to Pennsylvania as a whole.&#8221;</p><p>DiGiorgio said Gov. Tom Wolf has 10 days to select a date for a special election. He said it could be held during Pennsylvania&#8217;s May 21 primary.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">DiGiorgio </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/web1_Val-DiGiorgio.cmyk_.jpg</photo0><caption0>DiGiorgio </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Pa. GOP boss: Republican Party has to get back to its roots