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Getting enough voters to the polls in the mid-term primary election on May 17, the economy, mask mandates and ensuring future election integrity.
These were among some of the issues on the minds of those attending a Lycoming County Patriots' four-hour event recently at the Savoy Plaza in Montoursville, which highlighted several Republican candidates' positions and platforms.
It also brought a respectable amount of guests, some who were overwhelmed by the number of candidates in the GOP races for public office.
Tom Hogencamp, of Newberry in Williamsport, wore his Vietnam Veterans ball cap and discussed what was on his mind when asked what issues mattered to him leading up to the primary.
He said "abortion," and protecting life in the womb through limiting abortion and trusting the election results in large cities.
"So many lives are lost because of abortion," he said.
His voter fraud concern was not in Lycoming County.
"I do not think it is a problem in the area," Hogencamp said, referring instead to the vote counts in large cities and questionable mail-in ballots in 2020.
"Getting people out to vote in the mid-term year," Hogencamp said, was a necessity if they want to change government.
When so few of the registered voters turn out that is a shame, he said.
Years when voters are electing a President of the United States, such as they will in 2024, traditionally draw more voter interest and turnout to the polls often is higher in the general election with candidates from both parties.
Several visitors were interested in the status of the economy, with one person saying the average family is spending $500 more a month because of inflation, according to Ann Kaufman, a candidate for state representative.
A retired local teacher said Pennsylvania's security is at risk due to the number of illegal immigrants.
Her friend standing next to her said those who vote should be required to show ID.
She also was upset over government mask mandates as the COVID-19 pandemic continued.
She also believed teaching very young students about gender was inappropriate for their age.
Ire was expressed over energy supplies and costs of fuel soaring.
The consensus view was that pipelines for oil and gas being shuttered of late should be a policy that is reversed and that leaders need to be elected who can have a positive impact on the price of gasoline at the pumps.
Carol Sides noted the Lycoming County Republican Committee had not endorsed any one candidate to show fairness and impartiality.
Betty Fiamingo of the Lycoming County Patriots said these kinds of events allow the public to pick up a brochure or flier and speak to the candidates or their representatives.
The competitive races this year in the GOP for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, governor, lieutenant governor, state House of Representatives and state Republican Committee were showcased by the group.
Candidates highlighted at the event included:
• For U.S. Senate: Kathy Barnette, George Bochetto, Sean Gale, Jeff Bartos, Carla Sands, Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dave McCormick.
• For U.S. House of Representatives: Dan Meuser, 9th; Glenn T. Thompson and George Rathmell, both 15th.
• For Governor: Doug Mastriano, Charlie Gerow, Bill McSwain, Lou Barletta, Melissa Hart, Dr. Nche Zama, Jake Corman, David White and Joe Gale.
• For Lt. Governor: Jeff Coleman, Chris Frey, James Jones, Teddy Daniels, Russ Diamond, John Brown, Rick Saccone, Clarice Schillinger and Carrie DelRosso.
• For State House of Representatives: Ann Kaufman and Jamie Flick, 83rd; and Joe Hamm, 84.
• For State Republican Committee: Jeffrey Stroehmann, Dave Huffman Jr., Carol Sides and Paul Nyman.