While New Yorkers vote, Pennsylvania politicos hold fundraiser ahead of April 26 primary

The protection of the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness was the overarching theme of Tuesday night's Spring Cocktail Party hosted by the Philadelphia Republican City Committee and featuring former presidential candidate Carly Fiorina as a special guest.

The event was attended by a range of state dignitaries, including former U.S. Rep. Bob Walker, Pennsylvania State Rep. Martina White, former presidential candidate Carly Fiorina, who has endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Milton Street, the perennial mayoral candidate and local firebrand who once served in the Pennsylvania State Senate as a Democrat and now supports 1968 Wharton graduate Donald Trump.

Bill Pettigrew, fundraising chairman of the Republican Party of Philadelphia, said the event was a success, noting that it was “well-attended.” He also discussed the likelihood of Trump winning the upcoming Pennsylvania primary, despite Carly Fiorina’s appearance at the party.

“I think Trump’s going to take the city of Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania,” he said. “Some of the establishment thinks Trump is going to ruin the party, but I don’t think bringing 5,000 new Republicans in Philadelphia could be called ruining it.”

Executive Director of the Republican City Committee of Philadelphia Joseph DeFelice introduced the night’s speakers. He expressed his excitement about the upcoming primary and Pennsylvania’s significance in this year’s election.

“It’s been 40 years since this has mattered in Philadelphia,” he said.

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Fiorina was the first featured speaker of the night. She began by discussing her belief in the United States as a place of opportunity, using her business success as an example.

“One of the reasons I ran for president,” she said, “[is that] we don’t think of this country as a land of infinite possibility anymore.”

She then declared herself a “constitutional conservative” — to loud applause — and called for a president that is “actually a constitutional conservative.”

Fiorina condemned “the system,” in which power is concentrated in New York City and Washington, D.C. She said that this system only benefits the wealthy and powerful, which is why she has endorsed Cruz, who has vociferously criticized the Washington elite.

“Everyone should have the right to fulfill their potential,” she said, which includes the right to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Fiorina finished by speaking against Trump.

“Donald Trump is the system,” she said. “Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are two sides of the same coin.”

The next speaker was Bob Walker, a former congressman and advisor for Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s campaign. He, like Fiorina, cited life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as an important political cause.

“The Republican Party has been charged with the defense of that great cause,” he said. “John Kasich is the answer.”

Walker went on to explain why he believes Kasich is the one candidate that can beat Clinton in the general election, stating that he won 86 of 88 purple counties in Ohio in 2014.

“That’s the kind of candidate that can win in November,” he said. “We could win a landslide victory with Kasich as our presidential candidate.”

Pennsylvania State Rep. Martina White was the final speaker of the night, and she had some encouraging words about the Republican Party's future in Philadelphia, a traditionally blue city. 

“I wanted to make sure you all know that our Republican Party in Philadelphia is gaining momentum,” she said. “The Democrats are running scared.” 

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