Kelly sweeps 16th District race against Pastore
Republican Mike Kelly jumped out to an early lead in his run for a seventh term representing the 16th Congressional District and won by a wide margin in most of the six northwestern counties that make up the district.
His Democratic opponent, Erie businessman Daniel Pastore, saw a slight lead early in the vote count in Erie County turn in Kelly's favor.
"The people have spoken, and I am honored once again to receive the trust and support of my fellow Pennsylvanians," Kelly said. "Together, we will work to lower the cost of living and fight crippling inflation; lower gas prices and expand American energy production; create a healthier and safer America; and create a government that's accountable to the American people. I am ready to continue fighting for all of my constituents and to continue bringing Western Pennsylvania's values to Washington, not the other way around. It's time to take back our country."
According to unofficial results from Tuesday’s election, Kelly had a significant lead over Pastore in Butler, Crawford, Lawrence, Mercer and Venango counties at 11:30 p.m. In Erie County, Kelly had only a slight lead, 44,056 to 42,931, according to incomplete and unofficial results available at press time.
With all precincts in Butler County reporting, Kelly received 61,114 votes and Pastore received 31,561 votes, according to unofficial results.
According to incomplete and unofficial results available at press time, Kelly had a commanding lead of 21,684 to 8,790 in Crawford County; a lead of 23,092 to 12,956 in Lawrence County; a 22,698 to 13,998 lead in Mercer County; and a 5,628 to 2,460 lead in Venango County. Part of Venango County is in the 16th District and part is in the 15th.
Kelly said he supports pro-growth policies that include removing government regulations that he said have a stifling effect on investment, job growth and reducing taxes.
He said all forms of energy are needed to make the country energy independent.
He said the country’s supply of natural resources will last for hundreds of years and, saying of them, “America has a gift from God.”
Pastore called for lowering health care costs. He said he would oppose privatizing or cutting Medicare and support allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug costs to reduce costs for seniors.
He supports women's and LGBTQ+ rights.
Pastore said he supports reforming trade laws to level the playing field for American manufacturers, and increased funding in workforce development and job training.
He said Kelly is part of extreme partisanship in Washington, D.C., and criticized Kelly for filing a lawsuit to decertify the results from Pennsylvania in the 2020 election, in which President Joe Biden defeated then-President Donald Trump.
