Democratic Congressional candidate Dan LaVallee said Pennsylvania’s 3rd district is “ready for new leadership” as he gathered supporters outside of the incumbent’s district office in Sharon, Pa.
LaVallee said Mike Kelly (R- PA 3) is out of touch with voters. “He hasn’t been spending time with the voters. He said previously that he doesn’t have time to glad-hand with voters.”
LaVallee is on the offensive with just a little more than a month before the election, denouncing what he describes as Kelly’s proclivity for lavish trips and his votes to cut education funding.
“Congressman Kelly would rather take advantage of congressional travel perks on the taxpayer’s dime” than “serve western Pennsylvania,” LaVallee said. He noted trips Kelly made to both Ireland and Bermuda in official capacity.
LaVallee added, “[Kelly] has supported devastating cuts to education – Head Start, classroom technology, and Pell Grants. That’s not how you invest in the future.”
Kelly Campaign Manager Jeff Rein says the congressman will not be responding to the remarks of “a desperate candidate.”
"We heard about our opponent's rambling speech but as Mike always said, we welcome him exercising his 1st amendment rights. However, it's hard to take seriously criticisms from somebody that just moved to the district, doesn't have a job in the district and has never owned a home or paid property taxes in the 3rd district," Rein said.
The 3rd district leans Republican and Kelly is favored to win his bid for re-election.
Kelly has not yet commented on the charges laid by LaVallee.
As the campaign enters its final stretch, LaVallee is stepping up his efforts and hoping to reach out to voters.
“We’ve been touring the district as much as we can with the goal of listening to folks in the 3rd district and hear their concerns,” Lavallee said. “They are ready for leadership to stand up for working American families, and that’s our goal.”
