Dark Money and Special Interests in the Newtown Township Election
The upcoming Newtown Township Board of Supervisors race has drawn the attention of donors with deep pockets—most notably, those eager to see Republican candidates prevail. This influx of outside involvement is appearing in several forms: large financial contributions, organized campaign support, and the arrival of super PAC-funded canvassers. What’s driving this surge of interest, and what do these benefactors hope to gain? How did a small-town election become the focus of big-money politics?
Billionaires
Among the most striking forces at play is the super PAC PA Chase. According to its website, PA Chase is funded by Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania, which has received major backing from Jeff Yass—Pennsylvania’s wealthiest individual and a major funder of conservative causes.
PA Chase has hired paid canvassers to blanket Newtown with misleading talking points supporting the Republican candidates. These canvassers are reportedly tasked with knocking on as many as 150 doors per day, often revisiting households multiple times.
Residents report that canvassers are spreading claims that Democratic candidates plan to build a new sewer plant. That claim isn’t true. In fact, the current Board of Supervisors has never supported such a proposal, and Democratic candidates have publicly opposed it. While campaign literature tends to imply rather than directly state misinformation, canvassers on the ground have reportedly been more aggressive and, in some cases, confrontational when challenged.
This is not grassroots campaigning. This is a full-scale effort by a billionaire-funded super PAC to influence the outcome of a local election—a striking example of dark money reaching into small-town governance.
Builders
Another major figure shaping the local race is Jim Worthington, owner of the Newtown Athletic Club and one of the township’s most prominent developers. In a press release announcing the Republican candidates, Worthington stated that he is advising their campaign.
Worthington has long been active in politics, both nationally and locally. Given his background in large-scale development—including multi-unit housing—he has a clear interest in ensuring that Newtown’s governing board is sympathetic to his vision. While Worthington’s involvement is not new, his influence and connections make him one of the most significant local players in this election.
Businessmen
The Republican campaign has also drawn unusually large donations that far surpasses the scale of typical local races. The campaign’s early momentum came from two checks totaling $25,000 from Murty Vepuri of Pharmatech Advisors LLC—one of the founders of KVK Tech, the pharmaceutical company that bought the former Lockheed Martin site..
Such a large contribution naturally raises questions about what expectations, if any, may accompany it. And while large donations may follow the letter of campaign finance law, they can still reveal whose interests candidates might prioritize once in office and ultimately threaten the spirit of democratic fairness. Ordinary voters can’t compete with this kind of financial firepower.
What’s at Stake
Elections are about representation. But when billionaires, developers, and corporate executives flood a small-town race with money, it stops being about representation and starts being about control. Our community deserves better than dark money and agitators who mislead and upset residents. Unlike their Republican opponents, Democratic candidates Ed Merriman and Melissa Merk have not accepted or sought organizational assistance or large financial contributions from outside influencers. Newtown needs leaders accountable to the people who live here—to the families, local business owners, and neighbors who want honest government and responsible stewardship of our community.
