NEW CASTLE, Pa. (WKBN) – The political center of Pennsylvania, at least for Wednesday night, was in New Castle. The Lawrence County Republican Party hosted a debate with candidates for senator and governor.

The senatorial debate itself was cordial. The candidates who participated did not go at each other or criticize each other. It was a Republican debate before a predominantly Republican audience with a Republican moderator.

The debate took place inside New Castle’s nearly 100-year-old Scottish Rite Cathedral. First, a meet and greet was held at the Hickory VFW so candidates could hear from voters.

“It’s really good to be able to put a face to a name. We’re hoping that the people that come today will tell us who they like so that we can be a voice for the people,” said Ginny Richardson, chairperson of the Mercer County Republican Party.

Afterward and once inside the auditorium, former President Donald Trump was the night’s first speaker via videotape.

“Western Pennsylvania, as you know, we did very well there,” Trump said.

Of the lengthy list of Republican candidates running in the Pennsylvania Senate race, only four showed up. TV talk show host Dr. Mehmet Oz and Carla Sands, the former ambassador to Denmark, did not participate. But, conservative political commentator Kathy Barnette was there.

https://www.wkbn.com/news/elections/republican-debate-in-new-castle/