With the midterm elections approaching, Republican candidates across the country are intensifying their focus on crime and public safety, particularly in cities where violent crime rates have surged. In key battleground states like Pennsylvania, crime has emerged as a central issue for voters, with GOP candidates positioning themselves as the party of law and order, determined to combat rising violence and hold local governments accountable.
In Philadelphia, one of the most violent cities in the country, Republican candidates are rallying around the message that the city’s rising crime rates are a direct result of liberal policies and a lack of support for law enforcement. Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano has made public safety a cornerstone of his campaign, blaming the city’s crime surge on Democratic leadership and their push for criminal justice reform. Mastriano’s campaign emphasizes tougher policing, funding for law enforcement, and a focus on prosecuting violent criminals to reduce crime in Pennsylvania’s urban areas. He has also called for increased penalties for repeat offenders and a reevaluation of the state’s parole system.
Philadelphia has seen significant increases in shootings, carjackings, and other violent crimes in recent years, fueling voter concerns over safety. Mastriano, who is running against incumbent Democratic Governor Tom Wolf’s policies, has framed his candidacy as a contrast between the Republican approach of supporting police and the Democratic approach of reducing police funding. His tough-on-crime message has found traction with many Pennsylvania voters, especially in suburban districts, where concerns about safety have grown amid the urban crime surge.
In addition to Mastriano, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mehmet Oz is also spotlighting crime as a central issue in his campaign. Oz, who is running against Democratic Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman for the open Senate seat, has condemned the Democratic Party’s stance on policing and criminal justice reform. Oz argues that soft-on-crime policies have allowed criminal behavior to flourish, particularly in cities like Philadelphia, and he has pledged to take a hard stance on crime if elected. His focus on crime is aimed at appealing to voters who feel increasingly unsafe in their communities.
The rising concern over crime is not limited to Pennsylvania. Across the country, Republicans in battleground states are embracing similar messaging, tying Democratic policies to the increase in violent crime. Republicans argue that by backing law enforcement and opposing efforts to defund the police, they are the best party to ensure safety and security for American communities.
As the general election draws closer, crime and public safety are expected to be major issues in tight races across the country. Republican candidates are hoping to make significant gains by capitalizing on voter fears about crime, positioning themselves as the stronger alternative to Democratic candidates who are often associated with progressive criminal justice reforms.
