Today’s primary elections are crucial for Pennsylvania’s political future, and not just because a Fox News crew is surveilling the breakfast crowd this morning at Mac’s Route 8.

Republicans are considering which of three candidates will run against Democratic incumbent Gov. Tom Wolf in November. Wolf is running unopposed to retain his office for another four years.

The three candidates — commercial litigation attorney Laura Ellsworth, former health care systems consultant Paul Mango and state Sen. Scott Wagner — all oppose raising taxes, legalizing marijuana or restricting gun sales and support expanding taxpayer funding for private schools. But Wagner supports increasing the minimum wage, while Mango and Ellsworth oppose it. Wagner and Mango support eliminating school property taxes by raising the state sales and income taxes, while Ellsworth opposes it.

Also today, Republicans are choosing a U.S. Senate candidate to run against Bob Casey. U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta is heavily favored over state Rep. Jim Christiana. Barletta has the endorsement of the party and President Donald Trump, who asked him to run for the seat.

Casey, who is unopposed in the Democratic primary, has been a fierce critic of Trump. Some pundits see the Keystone Senate race as a looming showdown in November for control of the Senate.

On the Democratic ballot, Three candidates are competing for the 16th District U.S. House of Representatives seat currently held by Republican Mike Kelly.

Ron DiNicola of Erie County, Robert Multari of Mercer County and Chris Rieger of Cranberry Township are seeking the Democratic nomination for the 16th, which is made up of the bulk of what formerly was the 3rd Congressional District before a redistricting under the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

We’ll keep on eye on the southwest corner of Butler County, where Daryl Metcalfe is running unopposed in the primary for the Republican nomination for the 12th legislative district. Two Democrats are competing to face Metcalfe him in November. They are Honor Rockar of Cranberry Township and Daniel B. Smith Jr. of Adams Township.

These contests matter. The candidates and their political parties espouse regulatory and economic policies that will affect our quality of life, security and liberty.

Don’t let rainy weather stop you from voting. Today’s forecast says rainfall is most likely between noon and 4 p.m. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Vote early or late, or take an umbrella. The weather is no big deal.

Free elections are the backbone of our democratic system. All the posts on social media, visits from national TV news teams and political campaigns and rallies come down to one individual in a voting booth, casting an individual ballot. Please don’t miss out on the experience — cast your vote today.