Former Pennsylvania Governor, U.S. Representative to speak at Mock Republican Convention

The tradition of holding a Mock National Convention every four years at Saint Francis originated in 1960.

Keeping with this tradition, the 2016 Mock Republican Convention will welcome elected officials to deliver addresses to rally attendees and raise awareness during this political season.

The 2016 Mock Republican Convention will be held Saturday, April 9, at 1 p.m. in the JFK Student Union.

The University’s tradition has been to hold the convention of the party that does not hold the presidency.

Former Pennsylvania Republican Gov. Tom Corbett, who will be making his first appearance at Saint Francis, will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Mock Convention. Corbett will focus his address on the current political climate, detailing his experiences from attending actual Republican National Conventions.

“Hosting and participating in events like this one are helpful to encourage participation in the electoral process,” said Corbett.

“I also believe that politicians, candidates and political parties must continue to actively engage with college students so they know there are ways they can participate in the political process.”

Former U.S. Rep. Bud Shuster will be participating in his second Mock Convention at Saint Francis. Shuster keynoted at the University’s last Mock Convention in 2012.

“It will be more exciting than any for decades because of the competitiveness in both parties,” said Shuster.

State officials recently released a report suggesting that 128,000 Pennsylvania voters had switched to the Republican Party in the last three months.

“I believe you are seeing more engagement on both sides of the aisle because folks are disappointed with the current direction our country is heading,” said Corbett.

“On the Republican side of the aisle, people are frustrated with the overreach of government and the Obama Administration and I believe people are switching to the GOP because they share those feelings.”

Will this election year bring out high numbers of millennial voters?

Shuster says we cannot be sure.

“The GOP has more enthusiasm, but Sen. (Bernie) Sanders is greatly attracting young people,” said Shuster.

Politicians can only predict if the millennial generation will show up for Election Day. However, Saint Francis’ 2016 Mock Republican Convention is a unique, vibrant way of encouraging participation among our nation’s youth in the electoral process.