LANCASTER, Pa. (WHTM) – A longtime Lancaster County Republican is experiencing something he’s not used to, a primary challenger.

House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) has been a major force in Pennsylvania Republican politics. His resume includes Majority Leader and Speaker of the House; by every measure a success for a man not yet 50.

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This Week in Pennsylvania

But not everyone is amazed by Cutler’s success in the 100th District.

“It’s very evident that people want a change here and that they want to support a candidate that really is one of them,” said Dave Nissley, a small business owner and Cutler’s primary challenger.

Nissley says he wants to unseat Cutler because he believes he’s out of touch and a Harrisburg insider.

“Is this party going to be a party of the people or is it going to continue to be a managed decline by the establishment or the ruling class in Harrisburg,” said Nissley.

“I think is really a choice between, do you want experience that knows how to get the job done or did you want something different,” said Cutler.

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Nissley is a restless Republican in an era of restlessness. Cutler knows it.

“The mood of the electorate is that they would like something different,” said Cutler/ “It’s my job to convince them that we’ve got a very good record up here.”

“I would rather have courage,” argued Nissley. “And I think that that’s where the people are. We would rather have people stand on courage than to stand with credentials.”

Nissley is Cutler’s toughest challenger as an incumbent yet and money is pouring in to this race. The House Republican Campaign Committee gave Cutler $132,000.

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Nissley got $141,000 from Citizens Alliance PA, a conservative group with a track record of bumping off Republican incumbents it deems not conservative enough.

“They are a great group that focuses on helping candidates like myself who are running for the people against the establishment or entrenched incumbents,” said Nissley.

“I trust the voter’s judgment,” said Cutler. “I think that they’ll look at my complete record and not the selective pieces that are being dripped out by the outside groups.”

There is certainly talk amongst Lancaster Republicans that maybe it’s time for a change and Cutler should go. But talk doesn’t matter, votes do, and they will be counted on Tuesday.

As of Thursday morning, there have been 5,827 Republican mail ballots returned in Lancaster County.

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