A.C. Stickel will continue to lead local Republicans for the next two years.
 
The Altoona City Controller fought off a spirited challenge by Blair County Tea Party board member Lois Kaneshiki to retain his chairmanship during party elections on Tuesday night.
 
Stickel says he’s humbled, honored and ready to keep guiding local Republicans.
 

 
Stickel says the big challenge now will be getting registered voters to the polls for the November presidential election.   
 

 
He says the party will also be working to make sure voters have the proper identification that will now be required under Pennsylvania law to cast a ballot this fall.