As we look to the 2022 elections, everyone seems to be talking about what type of candidate can win in Pennsylvania. Perhaps we should first be asking what type of candidate Pennsylvania families need.

A recent op-ed suggested what we need is to return to middle-of-the-road politicians. It’s really a call for the type of politician who avoids “rocking the boat” or getting into a “culture war” in order to maintain political power — who, if elected, won’t actually lead on matters important to Pennsylvania families. Like it or not, a culture war is upon us.

The political left is becoming more radical every day. We continue to need candidates who will be the clear contrast that stands up for our families. Pennsylvanians are looking for strong, uncompromising, principled leadership. In 2020, the state House and Senate went more conservative, electing many strong leaders. The 2021 elections in Virginia and many local elections across Pennsylvania also tilted conservative. Why?

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Because as parents and neighbors, we are engaged in a daily culture war for the souls of our children, our state, and our country. We want men and women like us to step up to the plate and talk simply and clearly about our concerns and how they will address them if elected. We don’t want middle-of-the-road politicians who say nothing of consequence and offer no real solutions. We need candidates who will be our voice in the public square. Legislators who will stand up for those being censored on social media, by the legacy media, and those who feel unheard by many in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C.

We don’t want to be lectured by “go along to get along” candidates or political commentators. We already know how to come together when it’s important. Parents are banding together to fight racism that masquerades as “critical race theory” in their children’s schools. Employees are uniting to oppose overreaching vaccine mandates from their employers. Neighbors are joining forces to help others who are in need of food and clothing. We are doing all of this while constantly being browbeaten by out-of-touch school board members, misguided religious leaders, and celebrities who think they know what is best for both our families and local community. 

We need conservative voices that are unafraid to call out this extremism. Pennsylvania needs candidates who don’t just stand with us on the campaign trail, but if elected, lead on the right side of the culture war as statesmen in their position of authority.

What we really want is to be able to take care of our families. We want to choose the best education for our children, whether it be public school, charter school, cyber school, homeschool, or private school, because we know exactly what our children need. We want our neighbors to have those choices too, regardless of zip code or economic status. We don’t want school officials telling us what gender our child identifies as or teaching our kindergartners that they are “victims” or “oppressors” based on the color of their skin. We want to freely teach our children our values at home, and have teachers who focus on math, writing, and reading.

The progressive agenda is very clear. It doesn’t want parents involved in their children’s education. It wants total control over our everyday lives. Its proponents want to “shout their abortion” with no restrictions to make it either “safe” or “rare.” Progressive figureheads want to teach our children that America is a hateful country built on stolen land and divided by class, race, and religion. We need conservative voices that are unafraid to call out this extremism. Pennsylvania needs candidates who don’t just stand with us on the campaign trail, but if elected, lead on the right side of the culture war as statesmen in their position of authority.

Emily Kreps is Legal Assistant for the Pennsylvania Family PAC, the political action committee connected with the Pennsylvania Family Council in Harrisburg, PA.