LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. – The Lehigh Valley is preparing for a Vice-Presidential visit Tuesday.
J.D. Vance will be speaking at the company Uline, right outside the Borough of Alburtis. Less than a year out from the Midterm Elections, Political Science Professor Chris Borick said he isn’t surprised.
“There are no places in American politics that matter more than Pennsylvania, and in particular in the eastern side of the state, in places like the Lehigh Valley,” said Borick.
Borick said what matters to the Trump administration is keeping a Republican majority in Congress.
“The President recognizes that if he loses control of the House, which often happens to Presidents in their second term, it’s going to limit his ability, and his administration’s ability, to move anything legislatively,” said Borick.
Borick said the key to doing that is speaking to voters’ financial concerns.
“Economic issues are really paramount for voters, and when you ask them how they evaluate the current administration’s work on those topics, it’s not a pretty picture,” said Borick.
Vice President Vance is looking to paint a better picture at Uline.
“You pick locations for reasons, right? You pick locations to make a case that hey, our policies are working here,” said Borick.
But before we get to hear about those policies, Governor Josh Shapiro weighed in on the man he hopes will challenge them. He officially endorsed Bob Brooks to challenge Congressman Ryan Mackenzie for his seat, and Borick said the timing for that announcement is interesting.
“With the Vice President visiting a key Congressional district, to once again maybe make some of his own news at that time, could be coincidence, but I think it might also be some degree of gamesmanship,” said Borick.
The speech is expected to begin at Uline at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning.