State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th, who is seeking a 10th term in office, said the presidential race this year has created fervor among voters in his district.

“There’s a lot of energy here in Butler County and across Pennsylvania for Trump’s candidacy,” he said.

He said he has had numerous constituents contact him in search of Donald Trump/Mike Pence lawn signs.

On Nov. 8 this energy is bound to translate into a large turnout of voters who will likely support Trump and other Republicans on the ballot such as Metcalfe and Rep. Mike Kelly, he said.

He said he shares several stances with Trump such as defending the Second Amendment to the Constitution, creating jobs and reducing the tax burden on residents.

Metcalfe, who defeated Gordon Marburger in the Republican primary election in April, is opposed in the general election by newcomer Christian Rieger, a lawyer who is also a Cranberry resident.

Regardless of a presidential race, Metcalfe said he has a solid base of supporters from all parties who have voted for him every two years.

“Many of the positions I have taken are shared by the majority of people in my district and many with the independent and Democratic parties. Western Pennsylvania is a more conservative side of the state,” he said.

He said the key platforms he ran on when he was first elected to office in 1998 have not changed. These include opposing tax increases and protecting individual rights such as the right to life of unborn children and the right to bear arms.

He voted against the state budget that was passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Tom Wolf earlier this year. Though the budget did not increase income or sales taxes, it increased other taxes, some of which have hurt businesses and residents.

“There was a floor tax on the inventory of vaping businesses that has forced businesses to close and it has hurt job creation in that sector of the economy,” he said about the 40 percent tax on e-cigarettes.

Though numerous Republicans did support the budget bill, Metcalfe said that he expects Republicans to demand a budget with no tax increases next year.

“There are some of my colleagues that have voted for tax increases and we’re not satisfied that they had to do that. Next year they won’t allow themselves to be pushed into that corner. There’s most definitely going to be a budget battle between the Legislature and the executive branch related to spending numbers,” he said.

Metcalfe said that excessive government spending and taxes have led to some people moving out of the state.

While the budget allocated $15 million to fighting the opioid addiction problem in the state, Metcalfe said that is something that could be better addressed by nonprofit agencies or church-sponsored groups.

“To see the welfare department expanded, it’s something the taxpayer cannot bear anymore,” he said.

In other areas, Metcalfe said he supports the privatization of the liquor industry. The reform passed this year allowing wine to be sold in more stores is a positive step toward privatization, he said.

He has stated that he is opposed to increasing the minimum wage and is against additional government regulation of the gas drilling industry.

A U.S. Army veteran, Metcalfe worked as an electronic technician and as a field engineer before he was elected to office. He serves as the Republican majority chairman of the House State Government Committee.