Pence stumps for Rep. Rothfus

Vice president says GOP lawmaker has ‘proven his worth’

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Vice President Mike Pence stumped in Moon on Saturday for U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus, telling about 100 supporters assembled in the DoubleTree hotel they must back him against fellow Congressman Conor Lamb, his opponent in the 17th District congressional race.

Mr. Pence cited the support by Mr. Rothfus for economic, defense and other policy positions held by President Donald Trump, saying of Mr. Rothfus’ candidacy, “I can’t tell you how much it means to moving things in the right direction in Washington, D.C.”

The vice president, accompanied by his wife Karen, described Mr. Rothfus as a good man “who has proven his worth.”

Mr. Pence cited a lengthy friendship with Mr. Rothfus. “I was for Keith Rothfus before it was cool,” he said.

In turn, Mr. Rothfus praised policy changes under Mr. Trump that he said have bolstered economic growth, among them tax cuts.

He suggested Mr. Lamb is being aided by liberal funding from across the nation and told the group that a victory by Mr. Lamb could help swing the House of Representatives, including the speaker’s chair, from Republican to Democratic control.

“We’re not just talking about the speaker. We’re talking about all the committee chairmanships,” he said. “I serve on the financial services committee. ... If Republicans don’t hold the House our friend Maxine “Impeach 45” Waters is going to chair that financial services