A visit to Cheswick by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro on Wednesday highlighted the significance of the 33rd District to flipping the state House, many audience members said.
“Having the potential governor spend time and resources in our area shows how important our voices are,” Brackenridge Councilman Dino Lopreiato said.
He was among the 100 or so people who gathered at a campaign canvassing rally for 33rd state House District Democratic candidate Mandy Steele at her campaign headquarters in the former Pizza Hut on Pittsburgh Street.
Steele faces Republican Ted Tomson of Fawn for the seat that was left open after newly drawn boundaries bounced Republican Carrie DelRosso from the district.
Shapiro, vying against Republican Doug Mastriano, said the 33rd state House District race has big implications. He said residents from Aspinwall to Tarentum have the power to help grow the economy, fund public schools and invest in police.
“My name may be on the ballot, but it’s your rights and your future on the line right now,” Shapiro said. “Your right to be able to make decisions over your own body free of political interference, your right to marry the person that you love, and your right to join a union here in the commonwealth.”
“Josh Shapiro coming here shows how much he believes in us and our mission,” Steele said. “It’s a significant visit.”
A Fox Chapel councilwoman, Steele said she looks forward to working with Shapiro to protect a woman’s right to choose.
When contacted about his stance on abortion, Tomson said, “should the state Legislature ever look at changing Pennsylvania’s current laws, I will always support exceptions for the tragic instances of rape, incest and to protect the life of the mother.”
Sharpsburg Councilwoman Carrie Tongarm said Shapiro’s visit should buoy hope in people in the northeast part of Allegheny County “who often feel forgotten.”
“We hear a lot in this district that we’ve been forgotten,” Steele said. “It’s easy to correct that. We have an economic opportunity to drive manufacturing jobs this way. When we drive jobs here, everyone gets lifted. If we don’t send someone to Harrisburg to fight for us, we’re going to miss that money. It will go elsewhere.
“We used to be the manufacturing center of the world. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore that vibrancy through clean energy jobs. We have to elect the right people. Our workforce is ready.”
Shapiro said he is working to bring all parties together for the betterment of the state.
He said Pennsylvanians care about good schools, safe communities, rights to fundamental freedoms and a good economy, and that he wants to work with Democrats and Republicans to achieve success.
“This community really matters. We have to protect our freedoms and create opportunities,” Shapiro said. “This is the moment where your voices need to be heard.”
