The battle for Blair County is underway. We caught up with candidates from the 79th district at community events Monday evening.

Republican John McGinnis joined in on a prayer service at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Duncansville. His main focus for this election is the economy.

McGinnis days, “Government in Harrisburg has a reputation of putting up barriers. I want to change that and take those barriers down to revive the state.”

Democrat Richard Flarend was up the road in Altoona at another group gathering...a rally for Valley View nursing home

Flarend says, “We need to provide government services, infrastructure to bring jobs, and that’s what i want to make happen.”

The duo is duking it out for a seat held for over three decades by Rick Geist. It’s the first time in 30 years the district will have a new face representing them. Something the candidates are very aware of and are playing to their advantage.

Flarend says, “I want to represent the entire district and work to represent the entire district.”

McGinnis says, “We want something different and by running I’m going to try to make that difference.”