02.09.2014
Republican Christopher Gant is planning to challenge U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts in the 2014 primary.
The political landscape is changing. Controversial issues like same-sex marriage and marijuana legalization are evolving and public opinion is starting to lean a little to the left.
But the GOP appears to be stuck firmly to the right.
At least that’s what Republican Christopher Gant thinks. And why he believes the future of the party depends on people like him — people with a fresh perspective and modern ideas.
The Reading city resident is serious about his vision for a more inclusive Republican Party and is hoping voters of the 16th Congressional District feel the same way.
Gant has announced his intention to challenge nine-term incumbent Joe Pitts for the Republican nomination to take over the seat in Washington.
The 31-year-old said he will travel across the district talking to members of the GOP about how they can capitalize on what he believes is a failed Democratic agenda.
“Congress is pretty dysfunctional right now and there is a real opportunity for the Republican Party to recruit young voters,” he said.
With that objective in mind, Gant said he would support legislation that legalized marijuana and recognized same-sex marriages.
Results from the latest Franklin & Marshall College poll show that opinion is changing on these two issues.
Thirty-six percent of Pennsylvania voters said marijuana use should be made legal — up from 22 percent in 2006. Fifty-six percent support allowing gays and lesbians to marry — an increase of 23 percent since 2006.
Gant, who is openly gay, said marriage equality is a constitutional right and believes his stance on the issue will help him gain votes.
“The majority of Americans feel the civil right to marry is a decision of love and faith. I cannot deny to the American people what I would not want to deny myself,” he said.
Gant said one of reasons he would fight to legalize pot actually has a lot to do with preserving Lancaster County’s rich agricultural history.
Industrial hemp is in the same plant family as marijuana, but it can’t get you high. The U.S. has only been able to import goods containing hemp, not manufacture them. It’s used in products from handbags to body washes to building materials.
Gant said he hopes to reinvigorate the GOP by creating a forward-thinking, diverse and innovative party. Republicans, he said, have a tendency to look to the past when they should try to solve today’s problems on today’s terms.
But, he said, that does not mean the party should abandon its principals of protecting personal liberty and life, upholding Constitutional rights, promoting a strong national defense and advocating for a smaller federal government that is limited in its ability to interfere with the private sector.
Gant said that if he were elected his first priorities would be to repeal the Affordable Care Act and would make it easier for American businesses to grow and create jobs by imposing tariffs on foreign companies.
National defense would be a top concern as well. He said he would address the root causes of terrorism and seek harsh penalties on organizations and nations that support terrorist groups.
“I may be seen as a moderate because of my views on certain social issues but I actually feel that I’m more aligned with the Constitution than most Republicans right now,” he said. “The First Amendment guarantees people that the government will not interfere with their personal freedom.”
In addition to his conservative perspective, Gant said his hometown connection makes him a better candidate as well.
Pitts grew up Kentucky and moved Kennett Square shortly after his serving in the Vietnam War.
Gant was born and raised in Berks County. He earned a bachelor’s degree in global studies from Penn State Berks and currently works as a caretaker in a private home.
Still, he said, beating an established incumbent is a difficult task.
“I will need wise counsel, campaign contributions and support from the party. But, first and foremost, I’m focusing on getting 1,000 signatures to make it to the primary,” he said.
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