Allegheny County GOP committee elects new chairman
The Republican Committee of Allegheny County on Friday elected a new chairman.
D. Raja replaces Jim Roddey, 83, who served eight years before announcing his resignation in February.
Committee members elected Raja, 50, of Mt. Lebanon at the county Republican headquarters in Green Tree.
“These committee members and area leaders are the backbone of the county committee. I truly appreciate their trust and confidence in me,” Raja said in a statement. “My pledge is simple: As chairman, I will work tirelessly to ensure the RCAC is the top political committee in our state. This is vital because a strong two-party system is best for all residents and taxpayers.”
Allegheny County has the largest number of registered Republicans — 234,956 — in Pennsylvania, state figures show.
Raja said one of his first goals is to grow the party. He said he will raise money to cover committee expenses and to help recruit and support local Republican candidates. Other top priorities include improving the use of new technology to support committees and candidates as well as developing a clear and concise message for the Republican committee.
“As a committee, our priorities must be aimed at one goal — getting Republican candidates elected to public office at all levels,” Raja said. “It is imperative we grow our party so that local committees can actively support local candidates, register new voters and convey our message to voters of all parties while staying true to our conservative principles.”
Raja is a co-founder of the software company CEI, or Computer Enterprises, Inc., in Robinson. He earned a master's degree in computer science from the University of Pittsburgh and a master's of business administration from Carnegie Mellon University.
He serves as a board member at the Port Authority of Allegheny County, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, or PHEAA, and is the founding chairman of the University of Pittsburgh Computer Science Industry Board.
The former Mt. Lebanon commissioner ran for state Senate in 2012 and county executive in 2011.
Jason Cato is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-320-7936 or jcato@tribweb.com.
