Dennis Owens and George Stockburger

20 minutes ago

LANCASTER, Pa. (WHTM) – A veteran Lancaster County Republican is experiencing something he’s not used to: a primary challenger.

House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) has been a major force in Pennsylvania Republican politics. His resume includes majority leader and speaker of the House; In every sense, a success for a man who is not yet 50 years old.

But not everyone is surprised by Cutler’s success in the 100th District.

“It’s very evident that people want change here and they want to support a candidate who is truly one of them,” said Dave Nissley, a small business owner and Cutler’s main rival.

Nissley says he wants to unseat Cutler because he believes he is out of touch and a Harrisburg insider.

“Is this party going to be a party of the people or is it going to continue to be a decline controlled by the establishment or the ruling class in Harrisburg,” Nissley said?

“I think you really have to choose between whether you want experience that knows how to do the job or whether you want something different,” Cutler said.

Nissley is a restless Republican in an era of unrest. Cutler knows it.

“The sentiment of the electorate is that they would like something different,” Cutler said. “It’s my job to convince them that we have a very good track record here.”

“I would rather have courage,” Nissley argued. “And I think that’s where the people are. “We would rather people rely on value than credentials.”

Nissley is Cutler’s toughest challenger as a starter so far and money is pouring into this race. The House Republican Campaign Committee gave Cutler $132,000.

Nissley got $141,000 from Citizens Alliance PA, a conservative group with a history of defeating Republican incumbents it considers not conservative enough.

“They are a great group that is focused on helping candidates like me who are running for the people against the establishment or entrenched incumbents,” Nissley said.

“I trust the voters’ judgment,” Cutler said. “I think they’ll look at my full album and not the selective pieces that outside groups are leaking.”

Certainly, there is talk among Lancaster Republicans that it may be time for a change and that Cutler should go. But the words don’t matter, the votes do, and they will be counted on Tuesday.

As of Thursday morning, 5,827 Republican mail-in ballots have been returned in Lancaster County.