JOHNSTOWN – We’re about nine months away from the primary elections next year, but Tuesday night, four Democratic candidates for the 12th U.S. congressional district gathered in Johnstown for a private meet and greet with local residents.
The candidates said they're frustrated with the current Congress and administration and they want to bring change for the 12th District, which includes Cambria and Somerset counties.
The group Indivisible Johnstown hosted the event. They're part of the nationwide Indivisible Project, formed in direct opposition to the current administration.
Local Democrats in Johnstown are gearing up to fight for the U.S. 12th District congressional seat, currently occupied by Republican Keith Rothfus.
Mary Lou Davis is one of the organizers with Indivisible Johnstown.
"Johnstown has been such a Democratic stronghold for so long under Congressman Murtha,” Davis said. “This has been quite a flip and our job now is to flip it back."
She said all four candidates are from the Pittsburgh area and the event was a chance for people in Cambria County to get to know them.
Aaron Anthony is a father and teacher who said there need to be more educators in Washington like him who want to invest in children and the future.
"Things that will pay off down the road, things like health care and education and job training and infrastructure," Anthony said.
John Stolz has been a professor at Duquesne University for 27 years and runs their environmental science program.
"I'm bringing this message that we can bring jobs. We can create and stimulate the new American economy with renewables and sustainable practices," Stolz said.
Beth Tarasi is a lawyer who said she's running because she's fed up with Washington and feels the community is not getting the representation they deserve.
"I represent people every day. I communicate what their problems are, what the issues are going on in their lives and I resolve them,” Tarasi said. “I solve problems. I help people."
Tom Prigg is a research associate at Carnegie Mellon University and an Army veteran who said areas like Johnstown could be making things like windmills and solar panels.
"Jobs from the high school level to the Ph.D. level,” Prigg said. “That's manufacturing, that shipping. That's research and development. That's administration. We can rebuild this."
All the candidates said they want to bring change and jobs to Johnstown and the entire district.
"They are all extremely committed to this. They are professionals and I think all of them bring something unique and different to the table," Davis said.
Organizers said tonight was a good turnout and they're hoping one of these candidates can beat current Republican Rep. Keith Rothfus when it comes time for the election.