Pennsylvania Attorney General and Democratic candidate for governor Josh Shapiro speaks at Sunday’s Red, White and Blue Brunch hosted by the Luzerne County Democratic Party at the Genetti Best Western Hotel in Wilkes-Barre.
                                 Kevin Carroll | Times Leader

Pennsylvania Attorney General and Democratic candidate for governor Josh Shapiro speaks at Sunday’s Red, White and Blue Brunch hosted by the Luzerne County Democratic Party at the Genetti Best Western Hotel in Wilkes-Barre.

Kevin Carroll | Times Leader

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<p>U.S. Sen. Bob Casey stopped by the brunch to support Shapiro’s bid for governor.</p>
                                 <p>Kevin Carroll | Times Leader</p>

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey stopped by the brunch to support Shapiro’s bid for governor.

Kevin Carroll | Times Leader

WILKES-BARRE — In the words of state attorney general Josh Shapiro, there are just “29 days and a wake-up” until Election Day.

And as the Democratic candidate for governor spoke to a room full of supporters on Sunday, he reminded each and every one of them of the power they hold when it comes to Election Day.

“This is a moment where we have to realize our power,” Shapiro said at Sunday’s Red, White and Blue Brunch, hosted by the Luzerne County Democratic Party at Genetti Best Western Hotel.

“You are the ones with the power, with the ability to make a difference here.”

Touted by colleagues state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, U.S. Rep Matt Cartwright and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey as the only Democrat running statewide in 2020 to carry Luzerne County, Shapiro criticized the positions of his opponent, state Sen. Doug Mastriano, while hitting on a number of things he would carry out as the next governor of Pennsylvania.

Among the key points Shapiro touched on, many met with loud rounds of applause from supporters in the crowd: Hiring 2,000 more police officers across Pennsylvania and continued funding of local police forces, critical investments and funding into public schools (and a de-emphasis on standardized testing), and raising wages for workers across the commonwealth.

After his remarks, Shapiro spoke to reporters about a few more of his proposed policies, including his stance on marijuana legalization in light of President Biden’s announcement earlier this week that he would be pardoning those convicted on simple marijuana possession charges at the federal level.

“I support marujuana legalization in Pennsylvania, with two important caveats,” Shapiro said. “One, that we expunge the records of those convicted of possession, and that it be legal ownership. I think that first caveat will help us build on what the president announced this week.”

Sunday’s brunch was the first major public event of its size for the county Democratic Party since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic back in 2020.

Party Chair Kathy Bozinski was excited to be back among so many local Democrats and pleased with the enthusiasm in the room.

“It was pretty outstanding … look at the love and support we have here,” Bozinski said after the brunch concluded. “This is a must-win for all of us here.”

With a number of local Democratic candidates in attendance, Bozinski and the rest of the speakers did not mince words when speaking on the importance of next month’s midterms.

“The future of our democracy is on the line,” Bozinski said in her opening remarks to the room, before introducing the rest of the speakers.

With Pashinski, Cartwright and Casey, that message was repeated and emphasized.

“You all will determine whether or not we will preserve our democracy,” Pashinski said.

Casey also touted Shapiro before introducing him as a man of the people, and a man who will go to bat for Pennsylvanians like he has in his capacity as attorney general.

“I know his [Shapiro’s] heart, integrity and commitment to public service,” Casey said. “This is someone we know, and someone that we could count on.”

Shapiro contrasted some of his positions with those of Mastriano, painting a picture of what he said a Pennsylvania under Mastriano’s leadership would look like, as opposed to a state with Shapiro at the head.

He blasted his opponent’s hardline stance on abortion, said that Mastriano would make Pennsylvania a right-to-work state, leaving unions out in the cold, and highlighted Mastriano’s presence in Washington, D.C., on the day of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

“Police officers died that day, and this guy (Mastriano) talks about the rule of law,” Shapiro said. “I’m proud to be endorsed by local police forces all over Pennsylvania.”

Above all, Shapiro criticized Mastriano’s notion of freedom.

“He loves to talk a good game about freedom … telling women what to do with their bodies is not freedom, telling our kids what books they could read is not freedom,” Shapiro said. “Unless you look like him, think like him, vote like him and worship like him, you don’t get a seat at the table.”

Shapiro’s message was clear: with the help of voters in Luzerne County and across the commonwealth, he’s ready to take on Mastriano come Election Day.

“My name may be on the ballot, but it’s your rights, and your future on the line,” he said. “I’m ready for the next big fight, and that is defeating Doug Mastriano.”