Action Alert – Governor Josh Shapiro’s Nominee for Secretary of State

AFA of PA ACTION ALERT

February 2, 2023

Issue

Governor Josh Shapiro’s Nominee for Secretary of State

Details

Governor Josh Shapiro’s very first cabinet pick is the former vice chair of Philadelphia’s Board of Elections to be the next PA Secretary of State, the one in charge of elections.  Republican Al Schmidt held that position in November 2020 and responded on January 6, 2021, “Our dedicated county employees worked under incredibly stressful circumstances to provide a fair and accurate election. Pennsylvanians can be proud that Philadelphia had the most transparent and secure election in the history of our city.”

Well, some doubt that statement.

A Republican city ward leader said, “I don’t think that Al was out to hurt anyone. I do think that him not liking the president could have clouded his judgment. He made it clear, he doesn’t like [Trump].”

Another GOP ward leader responded when asked about the counting of ballots in Philly in November 2020, “I’m not saying [Schmidt] did a bad job, I’m just saying I couldn’t know if he did a bad job because we couldn’t see the process.”

In 2021 Schmidt stepped down from his position as election official and in January 2022 became president and CEO of the Committee of Seventy, “a nonpartisan good governance nonprofit”.  Some question that.  On their website it says, “In 2020, Seventy played an integral role in the successful administration of the presidential election amidst a global pandemic through information campaigns and supporting local election officials.

Earlier this year Al Schmidt testified before the “January 6^th Committee” in Washington, D.C.  On January 6^th of this year, President Biden awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The questions:  Is Al Schmidt non-partisan?  Can he put his hatred of a political candidate aside?  Is he supportive of  getting rid of no-excuse mail-in ballots?  (Read Article VII, Section 14(a) of the PA Constitution.)  Why is Josh Shapiro nominating a Republican?  Just a few of the major questions as we approach another presidential election in 2024! 

Action Steps

Ask your State Senator to oppose the nomination of Al Schmidt to be the next PA Secretary of State.