ELCO school board director launches primary challenge to Rep. Russ Diamond

An Eastern Lebanon County School Board director, backed by Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano, plans a primary challenge to incumbent state Rep. Russ Diamond for his seat n the 2024 election.

Republican Rachel Moyer, of Jackson Township, officially announced her campaign for state representative for the 102nd Legislative District at the Schaefferstown Fire Hall Thursday evening. Moyer said the district deserves someone who will "stand for truth and provide a true reflection of our county's core conservative interest in Harrisburg."

"Lebanon County deserves a representative who will never waiver in putting the conservative values of the people at the forefront of every legislative vote," she said.

A retired X-ray CT MRI technologist and grassroots organizer for Republican candidates, Moyer said she's focused on "representing the conservative, faith-based, family values found throughout her district." Moyer is the founder of Pennsylvanians for Freedom, an organization dedicated to supporting constitutional conservative candidates, and the Lebanon chapter leader of Free PA, a conservative group that emerged in 2020 in reaction to pandemic lockdowns and former President Donald Trump’s election loss.

"If you would have told me five years ago that I would be in politics, I would not have believed you at all," she said.

Moyer said ran for ELCO school board director in 2021 because of how the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown affected her children.

"I remember during COVID how my oldest son was affected by the shutdown," she said. "His education was not affected because we home schooled, but his mental health was. He became angry and depressed because he was missing the social aspect of being with his friend in sports."

The 102nd Legislative District includes the townships of Annville, Bethel, East Hanover, Heidelberg, Jackson, Millcreek, North Annville, North Londonderry, Swatara and Union, and boroughs of Cleona, Palmyra, Myerstown and Richland.

During her speech Thursday, Moyer said she is for pro-life and election integrity, against "no-excuse mail-in ballots" and moving the primary election date, and promoting school choice for families. Moyer stressed that if elected, she would work towards legislation promoting pro-life.

"Here in Pa., abortions can be done up to 24 weeks," she told residents at her event. "And it breaks my heart to know that the little babies that I saw as an X-ray technologist survive outside the womb at 22-24 weeks can be killed in this state for no reason."

While not mentioning Diamond by name, she said her opponent says he's for conservative values but then tends to go against them once elected. Moyer cited the state House Speaker race earlier this year, saying House leadership "gave up their power" and that Diamond defended them.

"It was extremely appalling to me that when our current representative defended the House Republican leaders for voting for the Democrats, this action cost us the ability not only to pass voter ID but to also have the constitutional amendment restricting taxpayer dollars be used for abortions on the ballot," she said.

Mastriano backing

Moyer was endorsed Thursday by Mastriano, R-Franklin, and his wife Rebbie. Mastriano said Moyer has been called to run in the 2024 election. Moyer worked as a volunteer for Mastriano's governor race in 2022.

"We know that God is going to use you greatly," he said to Moyer during Thursday's event. "The Moyer family is going to make a lasting impact on this commonwealth and this nation here by your courage and boldness."

Over the past few years, Diamond has criticized Mastriano in public forums. Before the 2022 primary election, Diamond urged Republicans to not support Mastriano's bid for governor.

"Mastriano's inability to address tough questions and his record of errors in judgment will haunt the entire Republican ticket," Diamond said in an open letter 10 days before the primary, adding, "Josh Shapiro is praying that you vote for Doug Mastriano on May 17th."

In May, Diamond wrote another article asking Republicans to "join me in requesting that Doug Mastriano abandon any plans he may have to run for U.S. Senate in 2024." Later that month, Mastriano announced he would not seek the GOP nomination to run against Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Casey in 2024.

While not mentioning Diamond, Mastriano said Thursday that Moyer will "never stray off the path as so many have done."

"We've all been disappointed. So many politicians with bright futures and saying all the right things, but then when it came to doing, kind of fading away and blowing with the wind," he said. "Not staying convicted, not staying grounded."

Diamond is serving his fifth term in the state House.

Resident support

Some residents at Moyer's announcement event said they are looking for new candidates to vote for in 2024. Tabitha Valleau said many lawmakers lose sight of the fact that what matters is their constituents.

"We are looking for someone who has a moral compass," she said. "I feel that a lot of our politicians have lost that moral compass. It turns into 'What is best for me' and 'What will keep me in office?'"

Moyer said she believes that the involvement of the residents is crucial to the success of local government, and she will only be able to succeed in her campaign if residents come out to support her.

"We can bring back a strong conservative voice from our district to Harrisburg," she said.

Residents looking for more information about Moyer's campaign can visit the Rachel Moyer for PA Facebook page, or contact her campaign at RachelMoyer4PA@gmail.com

Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on Twitter at @DAMattToth.

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This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: ELCO school board director to challenge Diamond in 2024 state primary