Senator Toomey visits Adams County’s new GOP headquarters

(Gettysburg) — Every election cycle seems to claim the title of being the most important political race in years, U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) marveled to his Gettysburg-area constituents Thursday.

Still, with a Senate and presidential race taking place in November, and a vacancy existing on the U.S. Supreme Court, this year really could be the most important election in years, Toomey said.

Toomey, who is up for re-election this year, spoke of this importance and other facets of his platform Thursday at a meet-and-greet event at the Adams County Republican Committee’s new headquarters in Cumberland Township.

Before Toomey arrived, the committee held a ribbon cutting for the space, located at Deatrick Commons Plaza on Fairfield Road. The Adams County Democratic Committee has its own headquarters on Chambersburg Street in Gettysburg Borough.

Betsy Hower, president of the Adams County Republican Committee chapter, felt elated by residents’ willingness to volunteer for the Republican party this year, she said.

The committee opened the new headquarters to provide people with a meeting space and a place to pick up voter registration forms, find polling locations and learn about volunteer opportunities.

“We are working to do everything that we can to promote conservativism,” Hower said before introducing Toomey to the room.

A crowd of more than 80 people, including several municipal and county politicians, squeezed into the little headquarters. Some people wore shirts festooned with political buttons or Republican slogans. Others simply came decked in red, white and blue, carrying signs in support of a Republican candidate.

Many of Toomey’s speaking points were applauded loudly, with the occasional exclamation of support peppering his speech.

The senator spoke of the need for economic prudence, called for a stronger approach to national security and underscored his desire to roll back regulations. He often compared his policies to those of his Democratic opponent, Katie McGinty.

Adams County resident Joe Vena moved to the area two years ago from New Jersey. He was looking for a way to learn more about politics on a local level when he contacted Hower.

“I said, ‘I got to get involved,’” Vena recalled.

Listening to Toomey speak Thursday, and having watched Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on television, Vena is feeling hopeful for November, he said.

“It just gives me chills,” he said.

“Adams County has been terrific,” Toomey said following the meet-and-greet. “I love coming back here, and I’ll be back again.”

This article is part of a content-sharing partnership between WITF and The Evening Sun.