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GOP hopefuls offer similar message

Diverse gubernatorial candidates express positions on COVID, fracking, economy

By William Kibler 5 min read

At a debate among Republican candidates for governor Thursday at the Blair County Convention Center, there were 10 candidates, but a fairly uniform message.

Lame duck Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf was the primary bogeyman, while presumed Democratic nominee Josh Shapiro was the universal general election target.

Repeatedly, the candidates invoked "liberty" and "freedom" in the context of the current administration's COVID-19 lockdowns, school and business closures and vaccination mandates.

Citing Wolf's push for greater regulation of fracking, the candidates called for leveraging energy to create jobs.

One predicted Pennsylvania could become "the Texas of the northeast."

Citing an issue that has gained traction in recent months nationally, they called for parental choice on what is taught in schools, holding schools "accountable" -- along with family choice in which schools their kids can attend.

Mostly without citing former President Donald Trump, who claimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen, they called for "election integrity," with reduction of mail voting and universal ID requirements.

They also stressed public safety, citing the recent rise in violent crime, and a few spoke of being pro-life.

All claimed to be capable of raising the necessary funds to win, with their estimates for the cost of a winning campaign ranging from $10 million to $100 million.

Any one of the 10 would make a far better governor than Shapiro, a few said.

The 10: Guy Ciarrocchi, Sen. Jake Corman, Charlie Gerow, Melissa Hart, Sen. Scott Martin, Bill McSwain, Jason Richey, John Ventre, Dave White and Dr. Nche Zama.

Four others are running, but didn't attend for the debate, which was moderated by Pennsylvania Republican Chairman Lawrence Tabas, who asked a series of questions and gave each candidate time to answer. About 200 people attended the event, but questions from the audience were not accepted.

Hart said she knows how to build coalitions, and how to work with Democrats.

"We need to cooperate more," she said. "(It's) the only way to get things done." And common sense is essential, she said.

Shapiro will have "a ton of money," Corman said. He can compete with that, and has a proven fundraising record, he said.

"I have a career of accomplishing big things that matter," he said, citing legislative achievements like the medical marijuana law and liability changes.

"I've cut people in half and put them back together," said Zama, a heart surgeon.

As a campaigner, he'll be "a nightmare" for Shapiro, he said. "He'll need diapers to deal with me," he said. As governor, he'd be a disruptor, insisting on universal "excellence," he said.

Ventre, who used to run a Fortune 40 firm, wants to enact "a large business tax cut" and make elections "safe, not easy."

He'll work with liberals, but not progressives, who are "haters of God and this country," he said.

"My policy will be to crush the progressives," he said. "I'm going to take them down."

Richey's upbringing in Aliquippa was blue-collar, and he's worked in a steel mill, which contrasts with Shapiro's background.

The Democrat is "a flaming liberal" who went to "a fancy private school," Richey said. He's also been a high-level college wrestler, Richey said.

"I'm a happy warrior," who has attacked and been attacked by the media, Gerow said. Born in Brazil and raised in the U.S. as an adoptee, he's the first Latino to run for Pennsylvania governor, he said. "I know the difference between Nanticoke and Nanty Glo," he said, to demonstrate that he is plugged in to the needs of people all over the state. The Republicans must not lose or "we run the risk of losing the country," he said.

White stressed his connection with blue-collar workers, citing a vo-tech education, time as a pipefitter "carrying a lunch pail," then his startup of a large construction-related business. "I'm living the American dream," he said. He envisions pipelines all across the state to take advantage of natural resources greater than almost anywhere but Saudi Arabia, he said.

McSwain, a former Marine infantry officer, touted himself as uniquely capable of ending the "crisis of public safety." He stepped in to prosecute BLM rioters in Philadelphia, people who "torched police cars and blew up ATMs," he said. He was nominated by Trump as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and was the only one of the group "to be entrusted by Trump to do anything," he said. He has public service "in the blood," he said.

Ciarrocchi, who was head of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry, wants to revive the economy, especially small businesses, he said. "I saw big government crush small businesses," he said. He also wants to put parents back "in charge" in schools. "I saw how government was harming kids," he said. Society has been "turned upside down" under the current administration, he said.

Martin would like to create "the best climate to draw new employers and families to root here."

The state is aging, and it's losing its young people, Martin said.

"We're continuing to lose clout," he said.

It's the same phenomenon happening in some other Democratic states like California, whose residents are fleeing to Arizona, Texas and Florida, according to Martin.

He intends to "inspire a new generation" of Pennsylvanians, he said.

The debate was organized by the Blair County Republican Committee.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.

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