E. Christopher Abruzzo, secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection, spoke at the 56th annual Lincoln Day Dinner on Saturday and touted the accomplishments of Gov. Tom Corbett and urged them to help get him re-elected.
"We need all of your help to get Tom Corbett re-elected," Abruzzo told the crowd of more than 100 people at Pine View Acres, Pottsville.
The Lincoln Day Dinner is an annual fundraising event for many state and county organizations of the Republican Party.
Abruzzo, the keynote speaker for the dinner, was appointed acting secretary of DEP on April 13, 2013, by Corbett. He had previously served as the deputy chief of staff to the governor and also chief deputy attorney general.
"He's been a terrific leader for this commonwealth ... We cut spending for the first time in 40 years. He's made government the smallest its been in 50 years," Abruzzo said of Corbett, adding a deficit was eliminated without raising taxes.
He said the governor faces tough choices fiscally.
"There are many worthy programs in PA that require funding," he said.
Corbett has welcomed energy and its importance to the state, he said.
"We've got a governor that actually has embraced the energy sector," Abruzzo said.
The state has a history of providing energy. Coal, natural gas and nuclear energy are the future, he said.
Stating Corbett's dedication to the state, Abruzzo reiterated the importance of having Corbett re-elected.
"Everybody's approval rating stinks. Don't look at the polls. He's made us as Republicans proud. Being in Harrisburg is a blood sport," he said.
He urged those in the party to stay true and remember to soldier on.
"Stay strong. We need your help. Good things are happening in PA. They are only going to get better. If we can get Schuylkill County to deliver for Tom Corbett, we'll get every other county to follow suit," Abruzzo said.
Dinner attendees included former Pottsville mayor candidate Scott Thomas; Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125; Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124; Sen. David Argall, R-29; Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage; District Attorney Christine Holman; Barron L. "Boots" Hetherington, special adviser to the governor for agriculture; former Pottsville Mayor Joseph Muldowney,; Gary Bender, chairman of the Schuylkill County Republican Committee; Bob Ames, former chair of the SCRC; Champ Holman, deputy secretary for community affairs and development with the state Department of Community and Economic Development; and Schuylkill Haven borough council President Marlin Berger Jr. and council member Paul Bedway.