The Save America Rally in Wilkes-Barre Twp. has begun with state Treasurer Stacy Gerrity up first to address the crowd at Mohegan Sun Arena at the Casey Plaza.
“Are you ready for President Trump,” said Gerrity. “We need to change things with this election. This election is the most important in a generation.”
Gerrity took the stage after 4:15 p.m. Pastor Todd Johnson from Philadelphia followed her.
"Can I get a shout out from all my patriots," he said before offering a prayer.
Former President Donald Trump and other Republican party members are speaking in Northeast Pennsylvania today ahead of the November midterm election.
Doors opened for the Save America Rally at 2 p.m. The 45th president is campaigning for the “Pennsylvania Trump Ticket.” He is scheduled to begin speaking today at 7 p.m.
Party members and candidates on both sides of the aisle are amping up their visits to Northeast Pennsylvania ahead of the election.
Trump’s visit comes just three days after President Joe Biden discussed his Safer America Plan at Wilkes University on Tuesday.
The large crowd filled into the 100s section as well as seats around the speakers’ podium on the floor of the arena. Most in the audience wore red, white and blue t-shirts and gear supporting Trump, matching the motif of the arena which is draped in American Flags. One man was dressed in a suit made of bricks, which he said is the border wall Trump promised would go up on the United States and Mexican border.
Before the rally began, political ads for the candidates played on the large overhead screen in the middle of the area. A livestream of donors to Trump’s campaign rolled down the screen while classic rock hits played.
After 3:30 the roster of speakers – including Republican candidate for Pennsylvania Governor Doug Mastriano and Republican candidate for senator Mehmet Oz – joined their supporters in the arena, some stopping for interviews with press.
A sizable crowd was already in line for the event by 8:30 a.m.
Mastriano is running against current Attorney General and Democrat Josh Shapiro. Oz is running against current Lieutenant Governor and Democrat John Fetterman. Jim Bognet, a Hazle Twp. resident and Republican, is running against U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, a Democrat from Moosic, for the 8th Congressional District seat.
