ALLENTOWN, PA - First Lady Jill Biden rallied supporters of Rep. Susan Wild Wednesday night, reminding them of the political stakes in the 7th Congressional District six days before voters take to the polls.
Before an enthusiastic crowd of about 250 people at Muhlenberg College's Moyer Hall, Biden said Democrats like her husband, President Joe Biden, and Wild have protected families from the pandemic, created jobs and fought to keep costs under control. More work needs to be done, and it will take a collective effort to keep Democrats in control of Congress, she said.
- First Lady Jill Biden visited Allentown Wednesday to support candidates Susan Wild and Madeleine Dean
- Biden implored guests to do everything they can to turn out the vote
- Biden warned that the race between Wild and Republican Lisa Scheller will be close
The key, Biden said, will be for supporters to do everything they can to turn out the vote. Too often, people get sidetracked with their everyday lives on Election Day. Wild backers need to reach out to their friends and family and do what they can to get them to the polls, she said.
"This race is going to be close, and the only way we can win is by showing up. So put voting first on your to-do list," she said.
Wild, a two-term Democratic incumbent, is locked in a neck-and-neck race with Republican challenger Lisa Scheller. Democrats hold just an eight-seat advantage in the House, and Pennsylvania's 7th is one of the few true swing districts in the country.
Wild, of South Whitehall Township, told the crowd Democrats are the defenders of the middle-class, saying that abortion rights, Social Security and Medicare would ask be at risk if Republicans gain control of Congress. While she works to be bipartisan, she told the crowd they need to vote for Democrats up and down the ballot.
"Those of you who have voted have heard before, 'This is the most important election in your life.' But this is the most important election of your life."U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (D-Lehigh/Monroe)
"Those of you who have voted have heard before, 'This is the most important election in your life.' But this is the most important election of your life," Wild said.
The Lehigh Valley has become one of the most hotly contested battlegrounds in American politics. It's a swing district in a purple state, leading to visits from political stars in both parties. Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Kamala Harris, and Tim Kaine have all paid visits to the region in the past six years.
Wild and Biden took the stage with Rep. Madeleine Dean, who represents parts of Montgomery and Berks counties. Dean, who like Wild first won her seat in 2018, called Wild an indispensable member of Congress who has worked tirelessly for working families.
“Susan Wild is the right person for the job. We cannot lose her,” Dean told the cheering crows.
Wednesday was Biden's second visit to Allentown in a little more than a year. She toured the The Learning Hub, a Center City preschool, in October 2021 while promoting the administration's Build Back Better plan.
Her trip comes after House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn stumped for Wild in Easton Sunday and a week after former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley addressed Scheller donors in North Whitehall Township.
Pierce Frauenheim, Scheller’s campaign manager, dismissed the visit from Biden. Scheller, he said, spent part of Wednesday speaking with veterans in Whitehall Township about inflation and her plans to fix it.
“Tonight Susan Wild reminded voters how out of touch she is with Pennsylvanians by highlighting her record supporting the Biden administration and the failed policies that have caused record high inflation and astronomical energy prices,” he said Wednesday night.
An Enthusiastic Crowd
Before the speeches, the room buzzed as energized supporters patiently waiting for the VIPs to take the stage. College students and campaign volunteers brushed shoulders with elected officials including Easton Mayor Sal Panto, state Rep. Peter Schweyer and Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, who donned a Phillies cap ahead of the first pitch for Game 4 of the World Series.
Former Allentown City Councilwoman Gail Hoover took it all in from a seat on the side of the room. While she wanted to see Biden in person, she said the importance of Tuesday’s election drove her to come out to the rally in support of Wild. The two parties are so polarized, and they can’t seem to agree on anything, Hoover said. The narrow margins of this race will make get-out-the-vote efforts critical, she said.
“Every single vote is going to matter. I don’t want to be the person who says, ‘(Expletive), I should have knocked on two more doors,’” Hoover said.
Sariann Knerr, of Bushkill Township, has been volunteering for Democratic campaigns since her childhood. Her mother was a party chairwoman, and Knerr would help her lick stamps and envelopes. Lately, she’s been working the phones for Wild. She cited election integrity as one of her greatest concerns.
“I hope Susan wins, and everybody needs to get out there and vote. Our democracy is at stake,” she said.
Olivia Richardson contributed to this story.
