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Presidential Bid

Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum greets Ash Khare of Warren on Wednesday at Penn United Technologies in Jefferson Township. Santorum, 57, who spent much of his childhood in Butler, announced his second campaign for president at the manufacturing facility.
Santorum launches campaign

JEFFERSON TWP — Butler County was the focus of national politics Wednesday night as former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum at Penn United Technologies announced a second presidential campaign.

The Republican, who spent much of his childhood in Butler, told the hundreds of spectators at the manufacturing facility he will focus on creating jobs across the nation.

“I am proud to stand here among you and for you — the American worker — to announce I am running for president of the United States,” he said, receiving a loud applause from the audience that included a blend of campaign supporters, factory workers and the public.

Santorum, 57, was a Pennsylvania U.S. Senator from 1995 to 2007. He ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 and surprised many by winning the leadoff Iowa caucuses by 34 votes.

Santorum won 11 state primaries before he suspended his campaign that year.

“I know what it is like to be an underdog,” he said. “No one gave us much of a chance (in 2012), and we won 11 states.”

Santorum spoke at length in his nearly 30-minute speech about job creation.

“We cannot sit idly by as big government politicians make it hard for our workers,” he said. “Today is the day we begin to fight back.”

Santorum singled out the Marcellus Shale gas industry as a driving economic force that could aid manufacturing jobs in the country.

“It's time we regained the title as world leader in energy production,” he said. “And with low-cost energy and our bold plan, we will regain the title as leader in manufacturing.”

Santorum said he wants to shrink the government and reduce spending, as well as “revoke every executive order and regulation that costs American jobs.”

Santorum briefly spoke about tax reform, specifically saying he is in favor of a flat tax rate.

“It's time to give America a simple, fair flat tax rate,” he said. “It will create millions of good-paying jobs and increase our take-home pay.”

Santorum, known for his strong social conservative views, also stressed the importance of supporting family values.

“We can't succeed if we don't strengthen our first economy — the American family,” he said.

He said education is key to supporting families, adding he believes schools should be more flexible in supporting their respective students' needs and abilities.

“I will drive a stake into the heart of common core,” he said, in reference to new educational standards this year that define what students should know and be able to perform.Santorum was born in Virgina and lived in West Virginia as a young child, but lived in Butler for much of his childhood while his parents worked at the VA Butler Healthcare facility in Butler Township.“When I was 7 years old they took me on a voyage from West Virginia to Butler, Pennsylvania,” Santorum said. “I lived at the VA post, surrounded by veterans.”He criticized the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for long wait times nationwide and said he would work to fix the issue.“I can't forget about the people I grew up with at the VA in Butler,” he said.Santorum said he has a bold vision for the country and said he has a proven track record as a senator.He said he believes his experience in the previous presidential campaign will aid his current presidential bid.“Last race we changed the debate,” he said. “This race we can change this nation.”GOP officials reactNumerous county Republican leaders were in attendance for Santorum's announcement.Ed Natali, chairman of the county Republican Committee, said it's a rare occurrence for such a large-scale event to be in the county.“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said.Natali said Santorum's message was consistent with what the county GOP committee works toward promoting.“I think it was great,” he said of the speech. “He has the same message as the county committee, namely supporting family values and creating good middle-class jobs. Those are the fundamentals that made this country great”Natali said he thought Penn United was a good site for the event.“The venue was perfect,” he said. “These are good- paying manufacturing jobs here.”County commissioners Dale Pinkerton and Bill McCarrier both said it was a special event for the county.“This is an exciting day for Santorum and everyone in this area,” Pinkerton said. “I hope he can gain some momentum. I wish him all the luck in the world.”McCarrier said Santorum has a strong conservative message.“He can restore the values missing in the country,” he said.Butler Mayor Tom Donaldson said he was happy to see Santorum consider Butler his hometown.“He didn't forget he spent his early life here,” Donaldson said. “He's an honest guy.”Art Rauschenberger, a former chairman of the county Republican Committee, said he worked with Santorum in the past.“He was, if not the smartest, then tied for the smartest person in politics,” he said.Rauschenberger said Santorum always carried himself in a professional manner.“He was always respectful of everyone,” he said.Jim Chiprean, chairman of the Butler Parking Authority and a former classmate of Santorum's, said the speech was moving.“It was a powerful message,” he said. “Economics, family, jobs — and support for small businesses.”

Mason Donaldson, 3, of Butler holds his sign to support Rick Santorum on Wednesday at Penn United Technologies.

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