Bucks GOP-endorsed candidates ready to go – Bucks Round-Up – March 13, 2026
Bucks GOP-endorsed candidates ready to go
The Bucks County Republican Committee has its slate of candidates ready for the primary election on May 19, all endorsed through the committee’s lengthy vetting process, said BCRC Chair Pat Poprik. The Republican Party recommendations for the 2026 election include Brian Fitzpatrick for Congress (R-PA-01) as well as State Senators Frank Farry (R-Langhorne) and Jarrett Coleman (R-Allentown). The committee backed Greg Bankos to run against State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-Doylestown). Incumbent state representatives getting the nod are Kristin Marcell (R-Wrightstown), Craig Staats (R-Quakertown), Shelby Labs (R-Plumsteadville), Rep. K.C. Tomlinson (R-Bensalem), and Joe Hogan (R-Langhorne). The GOP committee also backed Mike Gettis to run against Levittown-area incumbent Democrat Jim Prokopiak, Mike Murphy to challenge Warrington-area Democratic Representative Brian Munroe, Ken Velez to face Bristol Democrat Tina Davis, and Sean Duffy to oppose Doylestown-area Democrat Tim Brennan. Poprik said the 2026 ticket represents the best of the community and that the GOP candidates’ agenda includes protecting taxpayers and making neighborhoods safer. “These candidates have the integrity and work ethic required to deliver results,” she said. “We are united and ready to get to work for the families of Bucks County.”
Bensalem school superintendent resigns
Bensalem School District Superintendent Sam Lee will become the former superintendent as of April 1. Lee received a new four-year contract one year ago, which made the resignation letter a surprise to the public. Lee has held the position since July 2015 and is one of Bucks County’s longest-serving school superintendents. Dr. Victoria Valazquez, assistant superintendent for administration, will serve as interim superintendent until a permanent replacement is hired. Lee oversaw the completion of an extensive high school renovation project as well as the implementation of several innovative programs.
Teen terror suspect’s car shows up in Newtown
The car that apparently took Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, to New York City on a terror mission was found Thursday morning in a small Newtown Township shopping center on Durham Road (Route 413). It was believed to have been abandoned in New York after the arrest of Honda’s owner, Kayumi. Once local police knew, the Newtown police K-9 team, which specializes in explosives, was called. Police said the K-9 team was alerted to the possibility of chemicals or incendiary materials inside the car. Philadelphia police bomb specialists worked for several hours until the car was safe enough to move for further inspection. Balat and Kayumi are in federal custody in New York facing terrorism-related charges after a failed plot and their capture.
Pat Wandling is a veteran journalist, formerly of the Bucks County Courier, and was a mainstay on WBCB for over 20 years.
