In the United States, the campaign for the November midterm elections has already begun with the primaries to designate the candidates. This week, the political world has its eyes on...

Report

United States: Pennsylvania Republican primary, a high-stakes election

In Pennsylvania, United States, the campaign for the November midterm elections has already begun with the primaries to designate the candidates.

This week, the political world has its eyes riveted on this key state.

Pictured (May 13): Ted Cruz, Republican Senator from Texas, at a meeting in support of Dave McCormick in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Text by: Guillaume Naudin Follow

4 mins

In the United States, the campaign for the November midterm elections has already begun with the primaries to designate the candidates.

This week, the political world has its eyes on Pennsylvania.

In this state in the northeast of the country, both rural and industrial, Republican voters choose their candidate for the post of senator, with multiple stakes.

“

You're going to send Doctor Oz to fight for you in the United States Senate…

” It was a few days ago, in western Pennsylvania.

In the pouring rain, Donald Trump encourages the candidate he has chosen: Doctor Oz, a doctor who has become, much like him, a television celebrity.

Despite this weighty support, Dr. Oz does not manage to stand out in the polls which announce a three-way match.

With in particular Kathy Barnette, an African-American without great means but who highlights her proximity to voters.

We find her in Southampton, in the suburbs of Philadelphia during a dinner with members of the Republican Party and supporters like Suzy Laidlaw.

“

You know Trump, he says all kinds of things.
I don't know why he chose Oz.
He shouldn't have picked anyone in the Pennsylvania primary.
Because there are several good candidates.
It's his right, but I don't think he should have.

United States: campaign for the mid-term primaries in Pennsylvania: Kathy Barnette, candidate for the Republican primary from Pennsylvania for the Senate, meets voters in Southampton, in the suburbs of Philadelphia (May 2022).

Donald Trump and his influence on the party are everywhere

All candidates must spare him and wink at his electorate.

Lee Greenwood - God Bless The USA

This song is the one that accompanies the speeches of the former president.

And it airs at a meeting of Dave McCormick, another well-placed candidate, ex-military and ex-business leader.

We are in Lancaster County, in the middle of Amish country, a Christian religious community that refuses modern technology.

The county voted majority Trump in 2020, impossible to avoid it.

Coming to support Dave McCormick,

Texas senator Ted Cruz knows it well

Every Republican that runs says, 'I love Donald Trump,' 'No, no, no! I love Donald Trump even more,' 'No, no, no! I have Donald Trump tattooed on my butt!" … How to decide?
I'll tell you my philosophy: I support the most conservative candidate capable of winning.

And conservatives, they all are.

Anti-abortion, pro-guns, almost prerequisites among Republicans.

Among the campaign themes that come up most often is immigration.

Lancaster is a long way from the Rio Grande, but controlling the southern border is important to Joe Szymanski, a 21-year-old college student.

“

I have some friends over there in Texas.
And they say one of the main issues is that the rules that were applied before have been lifted and there are quite a few issues about what they're supposed to do there.
And I think we should strengthen the restrictions that are applied there.
Choosing who we let in.
I believe in immigration.
My great-grandfather was a Polish immigrant, so I believe in immigration, but in legal immigration.

Another recurring theme, inflation, worries Mary, a retiree from northeast Philadelphia.

“

There are so many people who work so much and who pay more and more, always more.
At the pump and the grocery store.
And it's getting to a point where I think people should really realize what's happening.

A criticism unanimously addressed to the Biden administration, considered to be distant from the concerns of the people and responsible for everything that is wrong, since it is in power.

This is the main problem of Diana White, a resident of Millersville, near Lancaster.

“

I just hope America will open its eyes and see that we are going in the wrong direction.
I don't understand why everyone doesn't see all the hate in our country.
We need to come together and understand what is best for our country.
And the president we have now pays no attention to us.

Everyone knows that this Tuesday's election will say a lot about the state of the country and the party, and what to expect in November.

Campaign for midterms in Pennsylvania: 21-year-old student and supporter of Dave McCormick (May 2022).

United States: Pennsylvania Republican primary, a high-stakes election

United States: Pennsylvania Republican primary, a high-stakes election

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest