Bucks Republicans Elect New Leadership

“United and ready for victory!”

That was the message Bucks County Republicans sent out after electing new leadership heading toward to the 2026 midterm election cycle. 

The biennial reorganization of the county’s Grand Old Party took place Saturday when elected committee members from across the county united to overwhelmingly elect a new leadership team, organizers said.

“The newly installed executive officers are emphasizing party unity and a highly strategic focus on the upcoming 2026 midterm elections and 2027 county-wide and municipal races,” said a BCRC spokesperson.

Ted Christian was elected as Chair, serving alongside Linda Mitchell as Vice Chair, Hank Van Blunk as Secretary, David Sabogal as Treasurer, and Colleen Strunk as Assistant Secretary-Treasurer.

Christian stressed the critical importance of bringing the party together to maximize conservative turnout in the upcoming national and statewide races.

“I am deeply honored by the overwhelming support and trust placed in me by the hardworking committeemen and women of Bucks County,” the new chairman said. “Our party emerges from this reorganization entirely unified and energized. As we look ahead to the critical 2026 midterm elections, our focus is singular: bringing Republicans together to support strong candidates, communicate our core values, and deliver decisive victories up and down the ballot.”

Christian brings more than three decades of political experience to his role as Bucks County Republican Committee Chairman. Currently a director at Duane Morris Government Strategies overseeing public affairs, he previously served as the BCRC’s executive director.

Christian led Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania presidential campaigns in 2016, 2020, and 2024, as well as serving in the George W. Bush administration, according to public records.

“The true strength of the Bucks County Republican Committee lies in our grassroots network and our shared dedication to our communities,” Mitchell, said. “We are hitting the ground running today to do what we were elected to do: get Republicans elected here in Bucks County. By standing united and engaging directly with voters on the issues that impact their families, schools, and businesses, we will ensure that our communities can thrive in capable, conservative hands.”

Mitchell has served for over 40 years at the Newtown Athletic Club, where she is the Director of Public and Government Relations. A highly successful grassroots organizer and fundraiser, she co-founded People4Trump in 2016 and started the voter engagement nonprofit Bucks County Votes. She also directs the NAC Have a Heart Foundation, a charity dedicated to ALS research and other local causes.

The election of the new officers comes after the retirement of outgoing Chair Patricia “Pat” K. Poprik who concluded her historic tenure leading the committee from 2012 to 2026, a spokesperson said.

Credit: Submitted

“Pat Poprik has been a leader of this party for nearly five decades,” Christian said. “Her dedication, resilience, and historic leadership have set a standard for all of us. She paved the way for generations of leaders within our party, and we owe her a debt of gratitude for handing over a committee that is strong, organized, and ready to fight.”

Angst over the cost of living, international affairs and an AI future has left President Donald Trump with a 29% job approval rating in Pennsylvania, a 10-point drop over more than three months, according to the latest Franklin & Marshall College Poll.

The president’s largest declines have come in his administration’s handling of inflation, falling from 31% positive in October to 17%, according to the Franklin & Marshall College Poll.

How the above plays out in November is anyone’s guess especially with Trump not on the ballot this cycle and the opposing party traditionally gaining seats in the House at the national level.

Two election races coming out of Bucks County feature Repúblican incumbents Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA -1) and state Rep K,C. Tomlinson (Bensalem, Humeville) and loom large for Bucks Republicans. Politicos are keeping a close eye on the two races vs their challengers, Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie and twice elected former Bensalem Councilman Bryan Allen.

Republican turnout, or the lack thereof, in Bucks County’s most populous municipality, Bensalem, is one of the reasons the municipal government and school district  are now Democratic majorities, election watchers have said.

The newly elected officers assume their roles immediately, officials said.

“The committee is set to launch an aggressive voter registration and outreach campaign, working collaboratively across all municipalities to strengthen the Republican base in Bucks County and ensure a cohesive strategy over the next two election cycles,” said a BCRC spokesperson.

According to Department of State data, Republicans have a more than an 8700 voter lead in party registrations as of the most recent data available county wide.

For more information about the Bucks County Republican Committee, upcoming events, or volunteer opportunities, please visit BucksGOP.org.

Credit: Bucks County Republican Committee