Fred Keller, the Republican nominee to fill the open U.S. House 12th district seat spoke to Penn State College Republicans Monday night, talking about topics ranging from jobs and economic growth to the 2nd Amendment.
“I’ll go back to the things that I said when I was in state government: fiscal discipline, limited government and free enterprise," he said to the college Republicans and a few residents.
Keller now serves in the state House, representing the district that covers most of Union and Snyder counties. He fielded questions, including what he sees as the biggest problem facing the country.
“I think one of the biggest things we need to look at is our debt, and what we do to make sure we don’t continually put you deeper in debt," Keller said. "Our country was founded on no taxation without representation, and you’re going to be paying a lot of taxes.”
Keller said his fundamental values include that life begins at conception and 2nd Amendment rights.
Keller was critical of the Green New Deal, a proposal to deal with climate change and create jobs, saying it would drive costs up and leave families paying the bill.
"I think we need to be careful of implementing policies that would put such a burden on the young Americans that are going to be inheriting whatever we do in Washington, D.C.," he said.
Keller will face Democrat Marc Friedenberg in a special election held with the Pennsylvania primary on May 21. Tom Marino, who had held the seat, stepped down in January. The district covers all or parts of 15 counties and is seen as a Republican stronghold.
