U.S. Senate hopeful wants to win 'big' in Franklin Co.

August 25, 2010|By JENNIFER FITCH

By Jennifer Fitch,

FAYETTEVILLE, Pa. -- U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey said Tuesday he'll win in Franklin County, Pa., but he wants supporters to help him do so by a wide margin.

Toomey, a Republican, is running against Democrat Joe Sestak for the Senate seat held for five terms by Arlen Specter. Specter changed parties to become a Democrat and was beat out by Sestak in the primary.

On Tuesday, Toomey made a campaign stop at Norlo Park east of Chambersburg, Pa. He was greeted by approximately 50 supporters and 10 people holding Sestak signs.

The visit to Franklin County came on the second day of a four-day, 21-county tour themed "More Jobs, Less Government."

"I know we're going to win Franklin County," Toomey said in the heavily Republican county, "but we've got to win it big. We have to win this whole region big because there are other areas of the state that are tough."

If elected, Toomey said that he would remind key players in Washington, D.C., about "the real source of prosperity" coming from the nation's farms and factories, not its government.

"The 21st century can be another great American century," Toomey said.

Scott and Sue Zacharias split their year between Florida and Fayetteville. Although they're legally Florida residents and unable to vote in Pennsylvania, they said Toomey's campaign messages resonate with them.

"We want to take our country back," Scott Zacharias said. "He's right on target."

Chuck and Lyn Shertzer, of Fayetteville, said they support smaller government and more jobs. Lyn Shertzer said she dislikes Sestak's voting record from his two terms in Congress.

Toomey "is the best choice. It's a no-brainer," Lyn Shertzer said.

Mark Nicastre, communications director from the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, has been following Toomey on his tour. Representatives of his organization held a "Wall St" sign in reference to Toomey's three terms in the House and his work in international finance.

"It's important for Pennsylvania voters to know he spent his whole adult life with Wall Street," Nicastre said.

However, when speaking to the crowd, Toomey highlighted that he started and owned a restaurant business with his brothers. He mentioned several issues that separate him from his opponent.

"My idea of gun control is a steady aim. Joe Sestak has a different idea" of gun control, Toomey said.

Toomey's visit to Franklin County Tuesday was the second in two days in connection to a major statewide race. GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett visited the e-LYNXX Corp. in Chambersburg on Monday.

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