I'm surprised this should be such a controversy. It seems that party rules should be clear as to when to call a special election. For example, in New Mexico, you have to get above 20% of a vote like this to be on a ballot, if only one person gets above 20%, a special election is not needed unless the other party can get a certain amount of signatures. If the rules are similar it seems Russell has a very strong case here.
Yes, I don’t know all the rules in PA on special elections, I live in WA. Smoothsailing is up on this and was at the meeting where the conferees voted.
There was a hit piece against Russell yesterday and it sounds like it started a lot of rumors against him.
Russell has a legitimate gripe with PA Republicans, especially Rob Gleason, IMO. But Russell is running in the primary against Burns and I believe will beat Burns.
The party rules are clear.
For special elections, delegates from the district come together, hear the candidates speak, then vote for who they prefer. Burns got the nod.
The primary is proceeding like normal, and Russell is running in that - there's no need to get a minimum percent at a convention or anything like that.