EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — There are only 15 days to Election Day 2024 and candidates are ramping up their campaigns.
Pennsylvania is seen as a must-win for Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump.
A lot of attention also focuses on congressional races: The results of which could shift the balance of power in Congress.
On Monday, 28/22 News I-Team Reporter Andy Mehalshick looks at the race in the Ninth Congressional District from Your Local Election Headquarters.
Mehalshick recently did sit-down interviews with Republican Congressman Dan Meuser and Democrat Amanda Waldman and asked them questions on a wide range of issues, including the economy and national security.
"Well, I believe the Congressman has now had three terms-six years to address the needs of our communities. I haven't seen those needs addressed," Waldman explained.
That is one of the reasons Waldman is taking on Meuser for the Ninth Congressional District seat. She ran against him in 2022 and was defeated.
The ninth district encompasses a large chunk of east and central Pennsylvania and stretches from Bradford County to Lebanon County.
Waldman, who is from Lycoming County, insists she's not a politician.
Eight polling location changes in Luzerne County to know
"I'm not about party politics. I am a registered Democrat for all of our viewers, but it's not about a political party. It's about the needs of our communities not being me. It's about civil discourse, working together to find the best solutions. I don't think either party has the corner market on a good idea," Waldman said.
Waldman says her priorities will reflect what she is hearing from residents of the ninth district.
"Right now, their priorities is the economy. Their priorities is inflation, their priorities is 'I can't afford the gas to put in my car to get to work.' They're my priorities, another of their priorities is immigration. We must secure our borders all of them," Waldman added.
Waldman says if elected, she will focus on several key issues she believes the ninth district is facing.
"We needed broadband coverage for decades. We have needed better roads and road repairs for decades.. we have needed infrastructure built and replaced. We've needed new jobs. We've needed to attract new corporations. The Congressman didn't address those needs," Waldman continued.
Meuser insists he has addressed those issues and stands on his record of accomplishments for the people of the ninth district.
28/22 News asked Meuser questions on issues facing his district as well as the nation.
The congressman says the so-called "table-top issues" impacting families are his prime focus.
"The recent gasoline prices and energy prices and heating oil prices are so high because the Democrats in the House and Senate of course the Biden-Harris White House have basically an assault on domestic energy that's caused inflation," Meuser explained.
This is a rematch of the 2022 election for the ninth district seat when Meuser defeated Waldman.
Meuser is running for a fourth term and says he stands on his record of accomplishments for the people of the district.
"Look we're for strengthening the economy. We're for lowering or keeping taxes competitive. Anyway, we are for stopping extensive spending and we largely have done that since we've had the majority," Meuser stated.
Meuser says that will remain his major focus if re-elected for a fourth term.
Meuser cites his business experience as well as serving as Pennsylvania's secretary of revenue as giving him a unique perspective in Washington.
"You know first off, even when I came in the level of experience I had in the business world, certainly conditions you to be a good manager or should anyway and be very results-oriented. We need more results in Washington, less talk, more action," Meuser added.
Meuser believes the nation is in need of change at the top and that drives him to seek a fourth term in office.
"But you know what else is very motivating. The Disaster Disaster. This is sad but true created by the Biden-Harris administration. Four years ago, Biden didn't have a record. Today, he sure has a record and Harris is his partner in crime," Meuser continued.
Meuser is a longtime supporter of the Trump agenda.
"Will you be a rubber stamp for President Trump or would there be negotiating?" Mehalshick asked.
"Fair question: Absolutely not. I never needed to be. I have no special interest I owe anything to. The only special interest I have is for my constituents. So I will do what is right for my district and for my country," Meuser replied.
Meuser says it's all about responding to the needs of the people of the ninth district.
"First and foremost it's constituent services, just like in business, it's about customer service," Meuser explained.
Your Local Election Headquarters
Amanda Waldman says she is running against Meuser a second time because she believes change is needed in Congress.
28/22 News also sat down with Waldman and asked her questions about a wide range of topics and issues facing the ninth district.
Waldman insists she will be guided by what she hears from the residents of the district.
"What are your top priorities?" Mehalshick asked.
"Andy I love when I'm asked this question because everyone asks me what my priorities are, and I mean this respectfully, My priorities don't come into play. The priorities of the constituents in the district are what mine will be," Waldman replied.
On Tuesday, we will hear from the candidates for congress in the eighth district, Democrat Incumbent Matt Cartwright and Republican Challenger Rob Bresnahan.
You can see the entire interviews with Waldman and Meuser in the video players below.
