Local Democratic leaders compare candidates days before debate

HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — In a couple of days, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face off in their first presidential debate of the 2024 general election.

On Tuesday, local Democratic leaders and advocates held a press conference to slam Donald Trump’s tax breaks that they say are for the uber-wealthy and at the expense of working people. They also claimed he had a record of destroying jobs in Pennsylvania.

“The millions of dollars that we got through the American Recovery Act has been an absolute godsend to the county and to the various communities within it. I think that’s why it’s so important,” Gillian Kratzer, Chairperson of the Blair County Democratic Committee said.

During the debate, topics such as the economy, immigration and their policies are expected to come up.

“You’ll see those efforts, you know on the ground. I think it’s a good reminder of people right before a debate that you have a sitting president and a former president. Another unprecedented thing on the debate stage together. Both have records of their administrations and both should be in conversation in this debate,” Amy Dacey, Executive director of the Sign Institute of Policy and Politics at American University said.

During the press conference, the Blair County Democratic Committee claimed that President Biden has grown the middle class, created over 15 million new jobs, and cut Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate in half.

The Local Labor Council , who was also in attendance, claimed that under the Trump administration, Blair County lost over 2,000 jobs which will never come back.

“”You know, even I don’t agree with everything that Joe Biden says. I certainly don’t agree with almost anything that Donald Trump says. But the important thing is that we need a partner in the White House that is somebody that can work with people. Joe Biden is that person,” Kratzer said.

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The first presidential debate for the 2024 general election will be on Thursday, June 27 at 9 p.m.

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