Toomey for Senate

PITTSTON TWP. - Republican candidate for governor Tom Corbett, his running mate Jim Cawley and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Pat Toomey spent the day before the election criss-crossing the state urging people to vote for change.

They appeared at a rally Monday morning at the Holiday Inn Express near the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, one of multiple pre-election gatherings they attended statewide during a last-day campaign swing.

"This is a team effort. You are part of the team. We need to change Pennsylvania," Corbett told the sign-waving crowd. "We need to change Harrisburg and we need to change Washington."

They were joined by Republicans Lou Barletta, contender in the 11th Congressional District race; Tom Marino, U.S. House candidate in the 10th District; Frank Scavo, contender for state Senate in the 22nd District; and state representative candidates Bill Goldsworthy and Terrence O'Connor.

Corbett spoke in favor of lower taxes and pledged to reduce government spending and keep jobs in Pennsylvania if elected. He is running against Democrat Dan Onorato.

"I have yet to see a tax increase that has stimulated an economy," Corbett said. "It's quite the opposite. It was the tax cuts by President Reagan and President Bush that has opened the money up for people to invest in their companies and hire employees."

Toomey, who is running against U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, a Democrat, said the race boils down to whether voters "think we've been on the right track with the staggering amount of government spending and bailouts."

"I don't think that's right," Toomey said. "I want us to bring back job growth in the private sector, get government spending under control and bring some balance to Washington. I think we can have a strong economic recovery. We can have the job growth that we need so badly in Pennsylvania."

Barletta, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, said he believes it will be a "very close" race.

While pointing out that Kanjorski voted with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 97 percent of the time, Barletta said it is time for a change because it is not "working here in Northeastern Pennsylvania."

"We have the highest unemployment in the state. Seventy-four percent more people have lost their homes. Bankruptcies are skyrocketing," Barletta said. "We need to get people back to work again to make sure their futures are bright."

Barletta, 54, the mayor of Hazleton, said he offers new and different ideas than Kanjorski, 73, who is seeking his 14th term in Congress.

"Paul Kanjorski has been in Washington too long. The country is at a crossroads and we can't continue in the direction we're going," Barletta said. "It's very important for everyone to go out and exercise their right to vote. The direction of the country is at stake here."