Pay attention to where candidates stand on Ukraine
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It looks as if voters in our 14th Congressional District this fall will be able to choose who represents them in the U.S. House. In 2022, Republican Guy Reschenthaler was re-elected without opposition, the Democrats unable to come up with anyone to run against him. But this year, several Democrats are competing, among them a highly qualified candidate in Chris Dziados, a former defense policy analyst with a distinguished military career.
Perhaps this opposition will force Reschenthaler to campaign in his district, where he is rarely seen. His “town halls” are not in-person events; they are conducted by telephone. Is he afraid to face constituents who might have questions about his voting record and his fawning adoration of a certain former president?
Voters may like to know where Reschenthaler stands on aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Recent statements on his website cover every other issue but Ukraine. But last July, he supported a proposal by Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to cut off funding for Ukraine entirely.
It’s interesting to note that when Russia first invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Reschenthaler released a statement reading, “Russia’s attack on the freedom-loving people of Ukraine is unjustified, unprovoked, and a flagrant violation of international law… The U.S., in coordination with our allies, must immediately and decisively act to provide further support to Ukraine and enact crippling sanctions against Russia and other countries that threaten peace and democracy.”
In an interview in March 2022, he supported Ukraine’s admission to NATO and worried that appeasers might “sell Ukraine down the river.”
When the Putin-admiring Appeaser-in-Chief says “sell,” his toadies in Congress sell.
Western Pennsylvania is home to a large population of Ukrainian-Americans. Hundreds of refugees from the war-torn country are also living here now, working and paying taxes, and although they cannot vote, their American friends and co-workers can. They will be paying close attention to where the candidates stand on aid to Ukraine, and looking for a representative in Congress they can trust.
Parker Burroughs
South Franklin