At Mastriano Rally, Pennsylvania Voters Say They Want Leaders Who Protect Freedom, Enforce the Law

Individual voters have different priorities, even if they are in the same party. For many Republicans, those priorities share the core value of freedom.

As roughly 300 Republicans gathered Wednesday at the Star Barn in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, to hear gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano speak, The Epoch Times asked voters what issue they wish candidates and elected officials would focus on.

“The truth,” said Keenan Price of Lancaster County, who wants the freedom to authentically understand a candidate’s intentions. “Instead of bashing, tell me what you are going to do.”

Similarly, Kore Fisher of Lancaster County wants to hear what candidates intend to do for people instead of beating up on each other. Fisher says politicians should work on inflation and border security. He has heard Democrats say, “no one is above the law,” and while a person may get fined or arrested for speeding, those who cross the U.S. border illegally face no consequences.

“I can’t make sense of that,” Fisher told The Epoch Times.

Gordon Tomb of Lebanon County wants the freedom to use fossil fuels. He wants officials to promote a sensible energy policy that takes advantage of fossil fuels and nuclear power. He would also like to see responsible management of government funds, smaller government, and more careful spending.

Rights and Reforms

Many voters are looking for candidates who speak to the individual voters’ interests.

Tom Zeager is president of Justice and Mercy Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to decreasing the effects of crime, increasing public safety, and restoring the lives of crime victims and offenders, according to its website.

Zeager wants leaders to focus on getting better results from the prison system. Recidivism is too high, he says. Instead of having prisons with revolving doors, inmates should be taught life skills and receive the emotional support they