The Club for Growth on Monday endorsed businessman Matt Shaner, who shares a crowded field with eight other Republicans seeking the nomination for retiring Rep. John Peterson’s (R) seat.

Shaner already has put $1.2 million of his own funds into the nomination battle, 10 times more than the other two self-funding candidates, financial consultant Derek Walker and businessman Jeff Stroehmann, who also are considered to be his toughest competition.

“Even without previous voting records, it is clear that there is only one true free-market, economic conservative in this race,” said Club for Growth President Pat Toomey, a former Pennsylvania Congressman, “and his name is Matt Shaner.”

The club cited as reasons for its endorsement the fact that Shaner was quick to sign its anti-earmark pledge. The club called his opponents undeserving of the endorsement because of Walker’s opposition to NAFTA and Stroehmann’s “protectionist views.”

The district, one of the largest in the Northeast, covers 17 counties and reliably votes for Republicans. Nonetheless, three Democrats are vying to take on the Republican nominee: Iraq War veteran Bill Cahir, Clearfield County Commissioner Mike McCracken and Lock Haven Mayor Rick Vilello.
— Shira Toeplitz