HARRISBURG, Pa. (Erie News Now) – To Rick Saccone, the role of lieutenant governor is more than just being the second highest official in the commonwealth.
“You have to have that ability to find common ground between people, keep some decorum, keep some dignity to the office and make people feel like they’re being heard, they’re being listened to, and they’re given a fair shake on both sides of the aisle.” said Saccone.
The retired military officer served as a state representative for Pennsylvania’s 39th District, covering Allegheny County, from 2011 to 2018.
“People know where I stand. They know I’m conservative, but they also know that I listen to them,” said Saccone. “And if the objective is to make good law, then all ideas are welcome,” he added.
Saccone also made a run for Congress in 2018, but lost in a closely contested race to Democrat Conor Lamb.
Before public office, Saccone spent a large part of his career overseas in places like North Korea, where he says he learned valuable negotiating skills.
“But if you can actually reach out to people and you can show them that, you’re not their enemy, we may disagree on things, but I’m not your enemy, I don’t hate you because you disagree with me,” said Saccone. “That lowers the tension and people are able to sit down and say, okay, let’s have a discussion.”
One of the major roles of lieutenant governor is chairing the Emergency Management Council.
Saccone served on the House Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committee during his time in the Legislature, and says he’d be able to carry that experience with him, if elected.
“We did a lot of things for our veterans and our first responders, and so, I would continue to do that. We always value our first responders, police, fire, EMS and our veterans,” said Saccone.
Saccone says work needs to be done to enhance emergency response and to help first responders, like attracting more firefighters.
“We’ve gone from like over 400,000 down to like 40,000,” said Saccone. “We’re going to have to work on how we’re going to get people back to volunteer, especially young people to come back and volunteer to do these things and serve their community,” said Saccone.
Saccone is hoping to restore faith in government, one discussion at a time.
“We have to make people trust their government again. And the way to do that is open, honest discussions. Transparency,” said Saccone.
Saccone is one of nine Republican candidates facing off in the May 17th primary for lieutenant governor.
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