U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Bartos visits Butler
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Bartos, of Montgomery County, visited businesses in downtown Butler on Wednesday, marking the 10th day of his 12-day bus tour of all 67 counties in the state.
Bartos is among a large field of candidates trying to replace U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, a Republican from Lehigh County who is not running for re-election. Other GOP candidates include Sean Parnell, who unsuccessfully ran against Connor Lamb to represent the 17th district in the U.S. House of Representatives; Kathy Barnette, a Fox News commentator, author and veteran; and Carla Sands, an ambassador to Denmark in former President Donald Trump's administration.
Democratic candidates include Lamb, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-181st, Montgomery County commissioner and anesthesiologist Val Arkoosh and state Sen. Sharif Street, D-3rd.
Bartos' campaign bus pulled in and parked on Main Street in front of Miller's Shoes, where Bartos met and spoke with business owners and city officials.
A small business owner, real estate developer and Republican fundraiser, Bartos created the non-profit Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund and helped raise $3.6 million for grants to help businesses that closed or struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Miller's Shoes and several other downtown businesses.
He said he would bring the “common sense and wisdom” of Main Streets across the state to Washington if he is elected.
The 2018 Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, Bartos said he started the Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund after witnessing many small businesses struggle in March 2020, when businesses were forced to close because of the pandemic.
At the time, he said he thought the grant program would be needed for 30 days, but the pandemic expanded and the grant fund grew.
“Today, the nonprofit has raised over $3.6 million and has helped hundreds of small businesses in all 67 counties, including Butler,” Bartos said.
He called Miller's Shoes owner Jim Chiprean, who submitted a video request for a grant, and other grant applicants and asked how they were doing.
The voices of small business owners and employees must be heard on the Senate floor, he said.
Many people outside of the state believe Pennsylvania has two big cities with farmland in between, but, he said, many businesses and industries thrive in all counties.
A restaurant owner in Cambria County, which was among his bus tour stops, and many other business owners told him they can't find employees and feel overwhelmed by the federal government's response to the pandemic.
He said the “cruel” delay last summer in providing relief aid to businesses was caused by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Joe Biden's extension of unemployment benefits is keeping people at home instead of working or looking for jobs.
“It's irresponsible policy,” Bartos said.
However, he said his campaign is optimistic and focusing on the future.
“We see hope,” Bartos said.
Chiprean said he recorded and submitted a video for the Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund last February or March.
“Next thing I know, I have a $3,000 check,” he said.
He said he was impressed by Bartos calling him and other downtown business owners who applied for grants.
Miller's Shoes was forced to close during the pandemic before a fire in January damaged the building and two adjacent businesses.
“It hurt not being able to open during the pandemic,” Chiprean said.
The store will have a soft opening in a few weeks, he said. The store was being painted during Bartos' visit. New lighting has already been installed.
