I'm writing in response to Justin Wagner’s letter published July 12 (“Our seniors earned Social Security,” Page A4). It’s encouraging seeing someone stand up to U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly in the 16th District.

Mr. Kelly has held his role for far too long, and I believe he’s too detached from his constituency. He’s enjoyed the luxury of the 16th being deeply red and has not faced a real challenger.

As a registered Republican (but I consider myself politically homeless), there’s a few things I would need from a Democrat to vote that way. First and foremost is the defense of the Second Amendment. There are plenty of issues that involve guns, but Democrats lose millions of votes each year because of the continued erosion of rights. Secondly, neither party is in favor of reigning in government spending or balancing the budget.

Hard choices need to be made and I want a candidate in favor of defending our future instead of continually kicking the can down the road. Mr. Wagner’s stated platform is enticing, but to have any kind of realistic shot at this district, he'll need to convince loads of Republican voters that he can do a better job than Mr. Kelly. Fortunately for him, Mr. Kelly has set that bar pretty low.

Zared Hollabaugh,

Cabot