“It has been an honor and a privilege to run as a Republican candidate for Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District. Over the past several months, I have met with countless voters and community leaders who discussed their concerns and shared their ideas about how we can turn this economy around. While I was raised in Chester County, built a thriving business here and now am raising my family here, I have a deeper appreciation and love for our communities today than ever before.

This campaign has certainly been a life-changing experience. The more you engage in the debate over the direction of our great nation, the more you appreciate the importance of the fight, and the need to fight even harder. However, it has become clear that fighting in this campaign will do more harm than good, which is why I am announcing the end of my candidacy.

While I am withdrawing from this campaign, I am not withdrawing from the fight. I simply believe I can do more by helping other candidates who share my vision of a new direction for our country, and who will work tirelessly to bring back responsible results to government.

I cannot thank my family, friends and supporters enough for all of their sacrifices and hard work. I am very proud of the campaign we ran which focused on substance and thoughtful discussions about policy.

I look forward to continuing the fight to ensure that our children have the same opportunities we do to achieve the American Dream, and to make sure that we elect principled leaders in 2010.”

“The candidate forum was a great opportunity to discuss my platform and share my ideas on how we can turn this economy around,” said Welch.  “I am honored that so many activists and attendees agreed with my message of bringing back accountability in Washington, and will continue to work hard to earn the respect and support of 6^th District voters and leaders.”

The Tea Party Coalition Candidate Forum was a chance for Gubernatorial, Senate, Congressional and other Republican candidates throughout the region to share their positions and discuss the important issues facing Pennsylvania voters.  The forum was sponsored by numerous organizations and coalitions, including the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, Let Freedom Ring, the Pennsylvania Conservative Council and the Republican Jewish Coalition.

The straw poll results were Steve Welch – 63%; Pat Sellers – 31%; Congressman Gerlach – 6%.

Steve Welch is the founder & former CEO of the Mitos Group, a leader in biotechnology solutions. Steve is also the co-founder of DreamIt Ventures, a unique venture firm that helps technology start-ups get off the ground. Over the past two years DreamIt has funded over 20 small businesses and helped nearly 100 entrepreneurs. In 2008 Steve was named Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” as well as selected to its “40 under 40” list.

Most recently Steve was awarded the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship to build bridges internationally in small business communities to drive job creation and economic development.

PAOLI, PA – Steve Welch, Republican candidate for Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, made the following statement about President Obama’s State of the Union address:

“I am glad that President Obama is starting to recognize the importance of getting government spending under control, though he has only scratched the surface. In order to truly stimulate job growth and help turn this economy around, the President needs to provide a clear plan that will balance the budget and rein in spending, and not based on increasing the size and scope of government.

“Before small businesses and entrepreneurs can create more quality jobs, they need to know what the rules of the road will be. President Obama should abandon any policies that would destroy jobs, which include ‘cap-and-trade’ and EFCA. He should focus the efforts of health care reform on reigning in costs, which will in turn lead to increased coverage.

“We simply need our government to ensure free markets, not interfere with them.”

Related: Mr. President: 4 Free Steps Towards Job-Creation

“While Congressional Democrats are meeting behind closed doors to determine what kind of ‘reforms’ we need, I am pledging to work against any policies that don’t lower costs,” said Welch. “While our national debt continues to grow out of control, the last thing we need is legislation that increases the size and scope of government.”

The “Repeal It!” pledge is offered to incumbents, candidates and citizens to sign. The pledge notes that a candidate will:

• “sponsor and support legislation to repeal any federal health care takeover passed in 2010;

and

• “replace it with real reforms that lower health care costs without growing government.”

Steve Welch, Republican candidate for Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, announced today that he secured nearly 40 percent in a regional Chester County straw poll held by Republican committee members.  The results showed that his campaign is gaining traction and attention from the grassroots level.

“I have always said that this campaign is about engaging voters and sharing our ideas about how we can turn around this economy,” said Welch.  “We are beginning to see that our message is resonating with local leaders, activists and concerned families, and momentum continues to build.  It was an honor to share my vision with local Republican leaders, and I look forward to additional opportunities to discuss my campaign.”

The regional meeting was a chance for Chester County Republican committee members to meet candidates for public office and to learn about their campaigns.  Additional regional meetings will take place throughout Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District.

Steve Welch is the founder & former CEO of the Mitos Group, a leader in biotechnology solutions. Steve is also the co-founder of DreamIt Ventures, a unique venture firm that helps technology start-ups get off the ground. Over the past two years DreamIt has funded over 20 small businesses and helped nearly 100 entrepreneurs. In 2008 Steve was named Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” as well as selected to its “40 under 40” list.

Most recently Steve was awarded the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship to build bridges internationally in small business communities to drive job creation and economic development.

“This campaign has focused on bringing back responsible results to Congress, and our support is proof that this message is resonating,” said Welch.  ”We raised nearly $100,000 from additional supporters, and I made another commitment to the campaign for $150,000.  We continue to add new volunteers and supporters which is a testament to the momentum that this campaign has built.”

Welch noted that approximately 25% of his donors have never contributed to a political campaign, reinforcing his commitment to grow the Republican Party and bring new people into the process.

Steve Welch is the founder & former CEO of the Mitos Group, a leader in biotechnology solutions. Steve is also the co-founder of DreamIt Ventures, a unique venture firm that helps technology start-ups get off the ground. Over the past two years DreamIt has funded over 20 small businesses and helped nearly 100 entrepreneurs. In 2008 Steve was named Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” as well as selected to its “40 under 40” list.

Most recently Steve was awarded the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship to build bridges internationally in small business communities to drive job creation and economic development.

My decision to run for Congress was based upon a belief that the current path being set in Washington is far from ‘stimulating’ job growth; it is killing it. We must revive our economy by setting the stage for businessmen and women to create jobs that will help strengthen our communities and our families.

In short, my candidacy for Congress is focused on reviving the American Dream by bringing decision making back to our local communities and business leaders and away from Washington bureaucrats.

As I have said before I admire Jim’s commitment to public service and look forward to a professional, spirited debate on the best way to revive the American Dream and stop burdening our children with mountains of debt.

“Everyone knows that government spending is out of control. And, by every honest standard, most agree that the $737 billion ‘stimulus’ bill passed earlier this year has produced no net job growth,” said Welch. “Only career politicians in Congress could look at our nation’s growing debt and Washington’s growing bureaucracy and think that the proper response would be to spend more money and repeat the mistakes of the past.”

“I commend Congressman Gerlach and other leaders who voted against these misguided bills. As someone who has created jobs in our region and helped others to do the same, I can tell you that job-creation is not the result of more government spending. It’s the result of entrepreneurs and American ingenuity being able to thrive in an open market,” added Welch.

By less than a handful of votes, the House of Representatives passed legislation yesterday that allows the federal government to borrow $290 billion; raising the nation’s debt to a staggering $12.4 trillion. It also passed a “jobs” package (the second “stimulus” this year) that would cost an additional $174 billion.

“By making this pledge, I am promising the residents of Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District that I will make the tough decisions required to rein in the reckless spending going on in Congress and work to create an atmosphere where long-term growth can occur,” said Welch.

The “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” is offered to every candidate for state and federal office to sign. The ATR notes that the pledge is a promise made by candidates for office directly to the constituents they seek to represent.

The pledge notes that a candidate will:

• oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses; and
• oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.

Steve Welch is the founder & former CEO of the Mitos Group, a leader in biotechnology solutions. Steve is also the co-founder of DreamIt Ventures, a local firm that helps technology start-ups get off the ground. Over the past two years DreamIt has helped nearly 100 entrepreneurs. In 2008 Steve was named the Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” and was selected as a member of its “40 under 40.”

Most recently Steve was awarded the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship to build bridges internationally in small business communities to drive job-creation and economic development.

“I support President Obama’s decision to commit 30,000 more troops to finish the job in Afghanistan and help ensure its future stability. Our national security must always be the driving force behind any decision that places our servicemen and women in harm’s way. While I certainly agree that we need benchmarks to examine whether or not we are succeeding in our mission, I do not believe that setting a targeted withdraw date is a wise strategy. I believe the military commanders who are on the ground should play a vital role in advising the President about whether or not a withdraw at a particular time is prudent.”