Voters in the 16th Congressional District — the only U.S. House race touching Crawford County — will choose Nov. 3 between Republican incumbent Mike Kelly and Democratic challenger Justin Wagner.

Kelly, 78, of Butler, runs the family car dealership started by his father and is seeking a ninth term in Congress. Wagner, 47, of Mercer County, is an automation engineer and a U.S. Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Erie Times-News asked both candidates the same three questions — on the cost of living, Social Security and tariffs. Here is what they said.

The cost of living

The question cited Bureau of Labor Statistics figures showing grocery prices rose 2.7 percent in the past year, natural gas and electric costs by an average of 3.9 percent and gasoline prices by 27.4 percent.

Kelly said Republicans have repeatedly voted for legislation to expand American energy production and lower costs, while noting that some products, like oil, are bought and sold on a global market. “Republicans have repeatedly voted for legislation to expand American energy production and lower costs,” he said. He said he believes a swift and just resolution to the war in Iran would stabilize energy prices, which would lower the cost of groceries and other goods.

Wagner said groceries are “damn near unaffordable” and utility bills keep climbing. “Something’s backwards here. If the economy is supposedly working, who exactly is it working for?” he said. He said he would fight corporate price-gouging, lower prescription costs, invest in affordable energy, stop corporate investors from buying up homes and raise wages, noting Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 for 17 years.

Social Security

The question noted the Social Security Trust Fund is projected to be able to pay only 78 percent of promised benefits by 2032, according to the most recent trustees report.

Kelly said Congress is legally required to pay Social Security benefits to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria in law, and that the program cannot legally spend more than its revenues and assets. “I am committed to preserving and strengthening Social Security, not only for current retirees, but for our children and grandchildren,” he said.

Wagner called Social Security “a promise Americans earned with every paycheck, and I refuse to let Washington break it.” He said the solution is not cutting benefits or raising the retirement age, but making sure the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share — noting that Social Security payroll taxes stop applying to earnings above $184,500 — and supporting legislation that raises or eliminates that cap.

Tariffs and trade

Kelly said trade deals need to be fair for Americans first, and that he is hopeful the issues can be worked through from a position of strength. He said he wants a level playing field for American manufacturers and supports efforts to create more manufacturing jobs at home.

Wagner, who said he has spent more than 15 years working in manufacturing and automation, said higher material costs hit manufacturers, workers and families. “Canada is Pennsylvania’s largest foreign trading partner. Starting trade fights without a strategy hurts the very workers we’re supposed to protect,” he said. He said he is not against tariffs when they are targeted and strategic, but that blanket tariffs and unpredictable trade policies are not a manufacturing strategy.

The 16th District includes Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Lawrence and Butler counties and part of Venango County. Election Day is Nov. 3.

By the Conneaut Valley Post