Ted Christian, a Bucks County resident and former Trump campaign state director, has officially declared his candidacy for the Pennsylvania GOP chairmanship.
The announcement was made during the Pennsylvania Society event in Manhattan, which is a gathering that often sets the stage for key political moves.
Christian, 56, has the substantial backing of Paul Martino, a Bucks County venture capitalist and influential political donor.
Martino pledged $100,000 to support Christian’s campaign and cited a need for generational change within the Pennsylvania GOP.
Martino’s reentry into the political scene follows his previous investments in conservative school board candidates and GOP campaigns in Bucks County. “Ted represents the kind of leadership we desperately need,” said Martino, emphasizing Christian’s ability to modernize and unify the party.
#BucksCounty #MAGA millionaire Paul Martino is betting on Ted Christian, a 2020 fake elector and election denier, to be the next leader of the Pennsylvania GOP. Sounds about right. So far, he’s put in $100,000. Read @PhillyInquirer @JuliaTerruso‘s report. https://t.co/ipa18LXubz
— BucksCountyBeacon (@BucksCoBeacon) December 6, 2024
Ted Christian’s bid directly challenges Lawrence Tabas, the 71-year-old incumbent chair who has led the Pennsylvania GOP since 2019.
Tabas, known for his longstanding role as the party’s general counsel, has yet to confirm whether he will seek reelection.
His tenure began after party scandals and was marked by steady leadership through contentious election cycles.
While some GOP members withhold judgment until Tabas’s decision, others, like Republican strategist Charlie Gerow, speculate that more candidates may enter the race if Tabas steps aside.
The stakes are high for the state GOP following a strong performance in 2024, where Pennsylvania voters backed Donald Trump for president and Dave McCormick for Senate.
Despite these wins, the party faced criticism for failing to reclaim local statehouse seats. Martino framed this as a failure of leadership, pointing to Christian as a solution to energize the party’s grassroots and modernize its approach.
Christian, who also served on Trump’s transition team and as a senior advisor during his 2020 campaign, is known for his coalition-building skills and strategic expertise.
His connection to Bucks County Trump supporters and his history with Pennsylvania GOP leadership make him a strong contender.
At the moment, he works in the Government Strategies division of the law firm.
Christian expressed gratitude for Martino’s support, calling him “a true visionary whose investments in winning Republican races have made a tangible difference.”
While some party insiders have questioned the timing and appropriateness of Christian’s challenge to Tabas, Martino defended the move, saying, “Ted’s vision and strategy will unite the party and put Pennsylvania Republicans on a consistent winning trajectory.”
Approximately 350 state committee members will decide the race for Pennsylvania GOP chair.
Whether or not Tabas runs again, Christian’s candidacy signals a push for transformation and a more direct connection to the Trump-era Republican movement centered in places like Bucks County.
