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From energy independence, finding federal funding for infrastructure in cities, creating jobs, protecting life and liberty and battling back against the defunding of police, a Republican candidate for an open U.S. Senator seat swept through Lycoming County recently to offer his commitment to supporters that he will fight for their needs.
"If I'm elected, and I plan to be elected, I'd be a great voice and a great voice for Lycoming County," said Dave McCormick, who was the special guest Thursday night at an event at Herman and Luther's along Route 87 near Montoursville, which was sponsored by his friend and businessman, Daniel A. Klingerman.
In a brief interview ahead of the meet and greet session, McCormick blasted President Joe Biden's policies but stayed away from any assertions of any other GOP candidates also seeking the open seat of U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey,
R-Zionsville.
McCormick, who said his family farm lies between Danville and Bloomsburg, said he would serve the entire commonwealth, but would never forget those in the middle of Pennsylvania, often referred to as fly over country by many in political circles.
"These are my pals upstairs," McCormick said of the Lycoming County Republicans, many of them executives, entrepreneurs and job providers in the city of Williamsport and region.
McCormick's pressed schedule allowed for a few hot-button questions from the Sun-Gazette, and he obliged but didn't hold back on his fury and frustration with Biden and the Democrats.
"Out of control," he said to a question of soaring gasoline and fuel prices such as those for home heating oil.
"The problem is the energy policies of Biden and what he has done in terms of pipeline permitting, canceling the Keystone Pipeline, and what he has done in terms of making it more difficult to drill," McCormick said.
"He has created uncertainty in our energy industry, and it has made it very difficult for energy investors," he said.
"We went from being a net energy exporter to being a net energy importer in one year because of Biden's policies and that is why the gas prices are going up; it is not what the president and the administration are saying -- it is not Russia invading Ukraine that is affecting us. That is affecting prices now, and prices were already going up 50% more before that ever happened."
Asked about a question on police and public safety funding, ensuring city streets and residents are safe and protected, McCormick said, "We need to make sure that our police are adequately funded."
Secondly, he said, "You have to have a spirit of valuing and respecting law enforcement. You cannot defund the police; that undermines the police."
If that philosophy to devalue police does not change, "we can't fill the billets because people don't want to be in law enforcement because they're so mistreated."
"We have to make sure law enforcement is a pillar in society, and that is why we need to make sure it has adequate funding," he said.
Asked about equity of senatorial service throughout the state, with the urban centers on either side of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and whether he would remember Williamsport and north-central Pennsylvania if elected as a senator, he said, "I love and respect every mile, every square mile, every town, and I would have a uniform commitment to make sure the people in Pennsylvania are served well."
To ensure that, he said, as a senator part of his purpose will be to bring whatever federal funds are available to support projects, such as infrastructure -- levee and transit -- Williamsport Regional Airport -- that support economics and create jobs for Williamsport and other parts of the commonwealth.
McCormick, who has operated two businesses successfully, said he knows what it is like to have to make a payroll.
As a businessman and investor, McCormick said he thought it mattered to have a senator who is familiar and deals with government regulations and could address how some of these regulations stand in the way of businesses being able to prosper.
"I am someone who is very focused on making sure that we have economic policies to unleash our economy here in Pennsylvania," he said.
Most of all, he pointed out the potential of Pennsylvania and how many are frustrated it isn't being used to its fullest.
"We are such a blessed state," he said. "You drive across it and see the spectacular farmland. It is the home of two of the great urban centers of the world in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. It has unbelievable natural gas supplies and a working population that is gritty and smart. It has history. It is where the Constitution was created... and where World War II was won in the steel mills of Pittsburgh.
"The state is blessed and we just have to unlock its potential."
"I think people are proud and they're frustrated because they know it has so much more potential."