Guzzardi, a local businessman with numerous real estate holdings who is almost single-handedly funding the Evening Bulletin, plans to remold the government in his conservative image one candidate at a time. Guzzardi helped fund the two candidates that toppled the GOP state Senate titans last week.

John Eichelberger, a Blair County commissioner, beat Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer and Arnold McClure in a three-way primary while another Guzzardi-backed candidate, Mike Folmer, a Lebanon County tire salesman, trounced Senate Majority Leader David Brightbill.

Guzzardi's money—$50,000 of in-kind services (like polls and staffing) for Eichelberger and at least $31,000 in cash and services for Folmer—helped the candidates get their message out in the face of millions spent by the incumbents.

Former Allentown Congressman Patrick Toomey, now the president and CEO of the ultra-conservative Club for Growth, used a phone bank and networking abilities to promote the same candidates.

Guzzardi is also a member of the Club for Growth, a national organization that supports conservative candidates and believes in limited government. The group supported Toomey in his almost-successful 2004 GOP primary bid against moderate Republican U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter.

"Jubelirer and Brightbill were not conservative Republicans," Guzzardi says. "There was a fiscal disconnect since they voted for a pay increase.

"More and more people are joining us," he says. "Last year, at the Pennsylvania Leadership Council conference, we had 450 people come out. Ann Coulter was our guest speaker. Last month's conference [attendance] was up; over 550 attended."

It's no secret that Guzzardi is a staunch supporter of U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, who has enraged the LGBT community because of his discourses on the gay lifestyle and his opposition to same-sex marriage. Guzzardi made the news last month when members of the gay and lesbian community picketed and threatened to boycott Guzzardi's 12th Street Gym in the Gayborhood because of that support. (Guzzardi has since sold his interest in the gym to his business partner, Rick Piper.)

Guzzardi's backing has not always meant victory, however. He supported Jim Tayoun Jr. in the 2004 Democratic primary against incumbent State Sen. Vincent Fumo. But with a growing distaste among voters who are tired of lethargic and greedy incumbents across the state, Guzzardi and Toomey feel the time is ripe for upsetting the status quo.

So, who is Guzzardi eying next?

"I am not interested in Lynn Swann," he says. "Ed Rendell is unbeatable and Swann is a Tom Ridge Republican." (Translation: a Democrat in Republican clothes.)

Is House Speaker John Perzel, another supporter of the pay raise, a Guzzardi target?

He said that although he finds Perzel's agenda not in keeping with conservatives, he's not wasting his time on his defeat this year.

"Perzel is too entrenched in his district," said Guzzardi.

Even so, Perzel supporters downplayed Guzzardi's influence. At a private party on the Main Line last Sunday at the home of a prominent Perzel supporter, the contention was that Jubelirer lost because he had no presence in the district and that Brightbill was arrogant. The pay raise, observers said, just gave voters a reason to reject the incumbents.

Guzzardi is studying the dynamics of the House race in the 170th District that encompasses Somerton, Parkwood, Bustleton, and parts of Burholme and Montgomery County in which incumbent Republican state Rep. George Kenney faces Democrat Brendan Boyle in November's general election. Guzzardi wants to support Boyle.

"I talked with him and I like his ideas," said Guzzardi.

Both running unopposed, Boyle garnered 2,188 votes in the primary and Kenney got 1,394. In 2004, Boyle lost to Kenney, a Northeast staple first elected to this office in 1984. Boyle said he was surprised and pleased to hear about Guzzardi's support.

"I have the best chance to beat a Republican incumbent," said Boyle, who is pro-life. He added that reform is badly needed in Harrisburg and proposes laws on lobbying disclosures and no tax increases. "This election will be the opportunity for the real reform candidates to get in."

Kenney questions Boyle's conservative credentials: "How conservative can he be if he works for Sen. Mike Stack?"