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Pa.: Meet Joe Watkins
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| Joe Watkins, of Philadelphia, speaks at the Republican National Convention on Sept. 4, 2008. (Ron Edmonds/Associated Press) |
Philly Pastor Should Be A Prime Player In Race For Lt. Governor
By JANE GILVARY, For The Bulletin
If you follow Pennsylvania politics and you don’t know who Joe Watkins is, you’d better start paying attention to this important player in the race for Lt. Governor. Most Pennsylvanians seem enthralled by the race for Governor and GOP front-runner Tom Corbett, who has a good chance to win the party’s primary in the spring. However, the race for Lt. Governor is heating up as well with a pastor from North Philly at the center of it all. And he’s looking to bring back some conservative principles to Pennsylvania government.
Joe Watkins is running for Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania. The Lt. Governor’s primary responsibility is to preside over the state Senate and additionally to partner closely with the Governor in running the state.
A Philadelphian and graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Joe began his political career in Indiana working on the campaign of U.S. Representative Dan Coats. As a Coats staffer, Mr. Watkins caught the attention of an Indiana senator named Dan Quayle, who offered him a position as Assistant State Director while Senator.
A few years later, Mr. Watkins was invited to work on the George Bush-Dan Quayle 1988 presidential campaign and was later appointed by George H. W. Bush as associate director of the Office of Public Liaison at the White House.
But Mr. Watkins’ talents extend far beyond the political arena, something that sets him apart from his southeastern Pennsylvania opponents Carol Aichele and Jim Crawley. After his job with the Bush administration, Mr. Watkins returned to Pennsylvania and started a public relations firm; he then co-founded a financial management firm and later joined a government relations company that helps small businesses to grow and prosper. What’s more, he’s appeared on ABC, CNN, Fox, NBC, and MSNBC as a political analyst gaining a reputation as an insightful and knowledgeable commentator on American politics.
More remarkable, however, is Mr. Watkins’ commitment to community. Raised in New York City in a family of six children, Joe’s parents taught him early the value of community. That is why in addition to Joe’s vast experience in business, he is also a pastor at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Philadelphia, one of the city’s toughest neighborhoods — so he’s no stranger to ministering to Pennsylvanians in need and building strong communities.
Mr. Watkins’ reasons for running are refreshingly simple. In an interview with The Bulletin, Mr. Watkins explained his motivation as two-fold: “To help make a difference in the lives of Pennsylvanians and to help people. I know I can.” And it is Mr. Watkins’ can-do attitude to which he can attribute his immense success thus far. He’s a true American story.
His campaign platform is simple too, and very attractive to grassroots Tea Partiers and conservatives looking to restore government to its constitutional roots. Mr. Watkins tells The Bulletin, “I’m in favor of a more limited government, lower taxes, less business regulation, and empowering people to be successful.”
Mr. Watkins is in full campaign mode and has been for some time, having already visited all 67 counties in Pennsylvania talking to committee people, Republican Party chairs, and average citizens. Getting to know his future constituents is Mr. Watkins’ chief goal leading up to the primary in the spring, but he’s also working hard to garner the support of the GOP establishment in Pennsylvania, something difficult to do for a relative newcomer to Pennsylvania politics.
When asked if he was anticipating solid support from Republican Party chairs, he was optimistic, but realistic, saying, “I want to forge ahead, tell my story to everyone. I want to serve the people and get to know the people.”
As such, Mr. Watkins plans to court the grassroots movements that have become a force to be reckoned with in southeastern Pa., beginning with the newly formed Pennsylvania Conservative Council and the powerful Chester County Victory Movement for starters. Mr. Watkins’ vision for Pennsylvania is just what the GOP needs to revive its conservative base and bring back a state government “for the people.”
Jane Gilvary is a freelance writer and a red, white, and blue American from the City of Brotherly Love. She loves Jesus, Johnny Cash, and the U.S. Constitution.
Joe Watkins is running for Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania. The Lt. Governor’s primary responsibility is to preside over the state Senate and additionally to partner closely with the Governor in running the state.
A Philadelphian and graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Joe began his political career in Indiana working on the campaign of U.S. Representative Dan Coats. As a Coats staffer, Mr. Watkins caught the attention of an Indiana senator named Dan Quayle, who offered him a position as Assistant State Director while Senator.
A few years later, Mr. Watkins was invited to work on the George Bush-Dan Quayle 1988 presidential campaign and was later appointed by George H. W. Bush as associate director of the Office of Public Liaison at the White House.
But Mr. Watkins’ talents extend far beyond the political arena, something that sets him apart from his southeastern Pennsylvania opponents Carol Aichele and Jim Crawley. After his job with the Bush administration, Mr. Watkins returned to Pennsylvania and started a public relations firm; he then co-founded a financial management firm and later joined a government relations company that helps small businesses to grow and prosper. What’s more, he’s appeared on ABC, CNN, Fox, NBC, and MSNBC as a political analyst gaining a reputation as an insightful and knowledgeable commentator on American politics.
More remarkable, however, is Mr. Watkins’ commitment to community. Raised in New York City in a family of six children, Joe’s parents taught him early the value of community. That is why in addition to Joe’s vast experience in business, he is also a pastor at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Philadelphia, one of the city’s toughest neighborhoods — so he’s no stranger to ministering to Pennsylvanians in need and building strong communities.
Mr. Watkins’ reasons for running are refreshingly simple. In an interview with The Bulletin, Mr. Watkins explained his motivation as two-fold: “To help make a difference in the lives of Pennsylvanians and to help people. I know I can.” And it is Mr. Watkins’ can-do attitude to which he can attribute his immense success thus far. He’s a true American story.
His campaign platform is simple too, and very attractive to grassroots Tea Partiers and conservatives looking to restore government to its constitutional roots. Mr. Watkins tells The Bulletin, “I’m in favor of a more limited government, lower taxes, less business regulation, and empowering people to be successful.”
Mr. Watkins is in full campaign mode and has been for some time, having already visited all 67 counties in Pennsylvania talking to committee people, Republican Party chairs, and average citizens. Getting to know his future constituents is Mr. Watkins’ chief goal leading up to the primary in the spring, but he’s also working hard to garner the support of the GOP establishment in Pennsylvania, something difficult to do for a relative newcomer to Pennsylvania politics.
When asked if he was anticipating solid support from Republican Party chairs, he was optimistic, but realistic, saying, “I want to forge ahead, tell my story to everyone. I want to serve the people and get to know the people.”
As such, Mr. Watkins plans to court the grassroots movements that have become a force to be reckoned with in southeastern Pa., beginning with the newly formed Pennsylvania Conservative Council and the powerful Chester County Victory Movement for starters. Mr. Watkins’ vision for Pennsylvania is just what the GOP needs to revive its conservative base and bring back a state government “for the people.”
Jane Gilvary is a freelance writer and a red, white, and blue American from the City of Brotherly Love. She loves Jesus, Johnny Cash, and the U.S. Constitution.
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