Westmoreland Co. PA GOP committee member facing threat of removal for supporting unendorsed candidates

Greensburg, Pennsylvania — Are outspoken PA GOP committee members being targeted for removal based on their support of conservative – unendorsed – statewide candidates in the upcoming Primary election?  

One state committee member thinks so, based on a zoom “inquiry” called to investigate her support of two conservative state judge candidates:  Joshua Prince and Maria Battista.

PA GOP State Committee Woman Nancy Pleskovitch of Ligioner (Westmoreland County) is still awaiting a final decision, following an April 6^th  hearing, where she was the subject of a special “investigation committee” launched by the Westmoreland County Republican Committee (WCRC) for potential “bylaw violations.”

Her crime? According to WCRC Chairman Bill Bretz, allegations arose surrounding her support of unendorsed candidates: Commonwealth Court Candidate Joshua Prince and Superior Court Candidate Maria Battista, by circulating their nomination petitions and promoting their campaigns on her social media. (Prince has publicly criticized the integrity of the PA GOP’s endorsement process; and Battista narrowly missed earning the endorsement at that PA GOP Winter meeting.)

“I was specifically told that circulating the non-endorsed petitions was ‘opposing the Republican Party’ – which was my violation,” Pleskovitch told Harrisburg100.

“I didn’t break any bylaws and the WCRC has no jurisdiction in this matter,” she argued. 

Her battle cry: “Pennsylvania has a Primary for a reason! It’s meant for the People.”

Pleskovitch shared with Harrisburg100 that – to her knowledge – she is the only subject of any current investigations, even though a WCRC Vice Chair from another district circulated petitions for Prince & Battista (there are 12 “districts” within the county).  Pleskovitch refrained from naming the individual but said the investigative committee mistakenly attached proof in a copy of that vice chair’s circulated/signed petition; she also noted that two dozen WCRC committee members (CPs) signed the petitions for Prince & Battista, including a county-wide candidate, who received a WCRC endorsement!

Pleskovitch also defended her actions, stating the county bylaws outlined in Bretz’ email – WCRC Bylaws 1.2 and 1.3 – only require her to support WCRC-endorsed candidates – and Pleskovitch affirmed she is bylaw-abiding – to that point. She said the WCRC did not endorse for statewide offices at its March 15^th convention, and so the charges brought against her are technically outside of WCRC’s “jurisdiction.”   

Pleskovitch was elected as a state PA GOP Committee Member; and separately elected as a county Committee Person (CP); but the WCRC would only have authority to remove her from her county, CP post.  To date, the PA GOP State Committee has not initiated any investigation with Pleskovitch.

As for Bylaw Rule 1.3, Pleskovitch said it vaguely addresses: “whenever a member opposes the Republican Party or its candidates…” the County Chairperson shall investigate such charges.”  The bylaw also outlines that a decision should be made – in writing – within 30 days, from the hearing, but also allows for an appeal to the WCRC “Executive Board.”  That gives the special “investigation committee” just under 20 more days to render a decision. (The Primary Election in Pennsylvania is set for: Tuesday, May 20.)

Pleskovitch recalled at one point in the zoom hearing, she asked: “What is your goal? If I’ll support these candidates anyway, what are you achieving?” – to which, she said, no response was offered, by any of member of the special investigation committee.

Leading the special “investigation committee” were: Bryan L. Kline; Steve Cleaveland, WCRC Vice Chairman; and Jennifer Bretz (wife of Chairman Bretz) – which Pleskovitch believes created a somewhat-biased footing, as all four – including Chairman Bretz – voted in support of the endorsement process at their recent county convention.

Pleskovitch said she was also denied answers as to who the complainants were and evidence against her was withheld until the morning of the hearing, both of which she deemed basic “due process” rights for anyone facing accusations.

This also isn’t the first time that Pleskovitch has been outspoken. In October 2023, Pleskovitch, spoke out on social media, in objection to a Fox News article that the PA GOP State Committee “unanimously” endorsed Dave McCormick, during its Fall Meeting, Sept. 30, 2023

Following that meeting, Pleskovitch posted: “It is clear now the deal that was struck with McCormick in the 2022 cycle – if he did not demand a recount of the primary when he only lost by 900 votes to Dr. (Mehmet) Oz, then he would be guaranteed the nomination for 2024. He announced his candidacy on September 21 just nine days before the State Committee meeting. Committee members were blindsided when asked (told) to endorse him days before the meeting for NEXT year’s election. 

“If you cross ‘the Party’ they will find a way to remove you from State Committee. It is happening all across Pennsylvania. The Party decides the candidates NOT We the People.”

Harrisburg100 reached out to the new PA GOP Chairman Greg Rothman, and to WCRC Chairman Bretz for comment on the Pleskovitch case; and, asked if the state PA GOP is supportive of WCRC’s course of action.  Harrisburg100 also asked how many other state committee members – or county CPs – were removed or are currently under some form of investigation for supporting non-endorsed candidates.

Stay tuned to Harrisburg100.