HARRISBURG – Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason released the following statement after hearing the news regarding Senator Arlen Specter’s decision to leave our Party:

“I am deeply disappointed in Senator Arlen Specter’s decision to leave the Republican Party, as he has benefited from the support of our Party for many years.  It is apparent that he chose to act in his own self-interest and put his political ambitions first.  The Republican Party has room for conservatives and moderates because we are the Party of ideas. 

“I, like many of my fellow Pennsylvania Republicans, took Senator Specter at his word when he said that he would not switch parties, and I believe he owes every Republican who has supported him over the last three decades an apology. I would urge Senator Specter to do the right thing and proactively return any and all campaign contributions he has received in recent months to run as a Republican in the upcoming election.  I am sure that most, if not all, of these donors would not have supported a Democrat candidate.

“Senator Arlen Specter can rest assured that we are committed to winning this seat back for the Republican Party in 2010.  I am confident that we will win this seat back.”

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