Biden to support Lamb with visit to area Tuesday
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Former Vice President Joe Biden is visiting the region Tuesday in an effort to support Democrat Conor Lamb, one week before a special election in the 18th Congressional District.
Mr. Biden will appear at two events: a rally with union members at a training center for carpenters, followed by a 6 p.m. event at Robert Morris University’s Yorktown Hall.
“Conor Lamb will be a champion for the working people of southwestern Pennsylvania,” Mr. Biden said in a statement. “He’s not afraid to say the word ‘union.’ I know he will stand up for the people of his district, whether it means protecting Social Security and Medicare, or fighting to create good, quality jobs you can support a family on.”
A visit from Mr. Biden, who has said Mr. Lamb has “a genuine chance of winning” the March 13 election against Republican Rick Saccone, has been anticipated for weeks. He was last in Pittsburgh in mid-February as part of a book tour. And although he didn’t address the race specifically, he did urge Democrats to reconnect with voters on economic issues.
Mr. Biden is popular with unions — he was introduced by United Steelworkers president Leo Gerard at his book tour stop — and speaks forcefully on social and economic issues. That arguably makes him well-suited to help Mr. Lamb in the 18th District, which pairs more liberal suburbs with comparatively conservative areas where unions still play a political role.
Mr. Lamb, who Republicans have tried mightily to link to unpopular national Democrats like House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, has previously played down visits from national Democrats. But the campaign appeared happy to trumpet Mr.Biden’s appearance.
“Vice President Biden knows us, he knows what’s important to us here in southwestern Pennsylvania, and he knows we can attack the problems we face without attacking each other,” a Lamb campaign statement quoted its candidate as saying. “I’m grateful for his support and we’re excited to welcome him to the 18th District in the final week of this special election.”
Doors open at 5 p.m. Tuesday.