With Election Day a week away, Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano and his wife, Rebbie, made a stop at C3 Sports on Tuesday evening as part of his “Restore Freedom” tour. Hundreds of attendees filled the venue.

After the regional director for the Mastriano campaign welcomed the crowd, the rally kicked off with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem.

“Starting over two years ago, we developed a network of leaders and volunteers in all 67 counties,” the regional director said. “The grassroots network is completely unpaid volunteers, and they continue to work tirelessly so that Pennsylvania can be restored. Our movement is a movement of the people with the leader who is for the people. And that is why Doug has the backing of we the people with only one week until the election.”

Michelle Schellberg, chairwoman of the Centre County Republican Committee, took the stage to inform the crowd what has been happening in Centre County.

“It wasn’t long ago when the Democrats shut Pennsylvania down closing schools, businesses, hospitals, and even our churches,” Schellberg said. “Well, we, the people of Centre County, are pissed off and ready to fight like hell for our freedom. We heard the concerns while at events door knocking and even on the phone. High inflation is hurting our families and making it difficult to provide for basic needs. Fuel costs alone are more than double already.”

Schellberg then explained her concerns with the current school system in Pennsylvania.

“At the beginning of the year, students are given forms to select their preferred personal pronouns,” she said. “They are indoctrinating our children, and it’s time to stand up and replace every single school board member. Our children need your help.”

Schellberg goes on to express her frustration and grievances with the healthcare system. Since her father passed away last year due to cancer complications, she felt as though the fault lies in the hands of medical researchers. Schellberg shared her support for medical freedom.

After Schellberg concluded her speech, the crowd start abruptly chanting its own version of Penn State’s “We Are!” chant. Instead of shouting “Penn State” in response, the crowd chanted “For Doug.”

On behalf of Lions for Liberty, a local group founded to promote freedom, Jodie Reese shared his support for Mastriano and his movement.

“He clearly demonstrates wisdom and leadership,” he said. “He was here to support our liberty when we needed a boost, so we need to be there now to support him.”

Stephanie Borowicz, Pennsylvania Representative of the 76th district, was welcomed to the stage as the audience applauded and shouted in her honor.

“People lost jobs,” she said. “People died alone. Businesses are now closed. They think that we will forget, but we won’t… People can’t believe where we’ve gotten to.”

Borowicz raised concerns about what is going on in both the economy and schools right now, claiming that Mastriano would be able to fix those problems for Pennsylvania and make “all things possible.”

Far-right political commentator Jack Posobiec joined the stage after Borowicz and initiated the Mastriano version of the “We Are” chant, once again. Posobiec shared that he has his own connection to Penn State.

“My dad went to Penn State and when he used to say ‘We Are,’ he said something else, but I like this one better,” he said. “You know, they say it’s been generations since an actual mountain lion has been seen on Mount Nittany. Well, I come to you today with some breaking news because one has been spotted tonight and he is sitting right here in the front row.”

“We need a mountain lion in office,” he continued. “A mountain lion for our freedom. A mountain lion for our families, for our children, for business, for the economy, for jobs. And since we’re in town, I might as well just say it. Maybe we need a Nittany Lion.”

Posobiec later critiqued Democratic candidate Josh Shapiro for being “the most extreme Democrat that Pennsylvania has ever had run for governor.” He also blames Shapiro for the recent increase in crime and violence throughout Pennsylvania, especially in Philadelphia.

Posobiec explained that he doesn’t just see a movement within the Mastriano campaign. Rather, he sees a wave.

“I see a wave in one of a red wave, as a matter of fact,” he said. “And, I don’t just mean that because of the Phillies. Now the Phillies need to win three more, but Senator Mastriano only needs one.”

To introduce Mastriano and acknowledge his accomplishments, his wife, Rebbie, took the attention of the crowd. She walked them through his past, including his military leadership training and the master’s degrees he’s earned. She emphasized that she and her husband share love for the people and children, however, they have zero tolerance for bullies and people who oppress others.

Alas, Mastriano joined his wife on stage with the crowd getting rowdy and expressing their pride for him. Early on in his campaign speech, Mastriano quickly took a jab at Joe Biden, Shapiro, and the media.

“You know, Josh Shapiro and his friends in the media will amplify the name-calling,” he said. “He’s got nothing to run on…don’t be distracted. There’s more of us together on our side.”

Later on, Mastriano mentions that Shapiro is “pretending to be a champion of women’s rights.” However, Mastriano claims that his side actually cares and stands up for those rights. Mastriano welcomed his wife back on stage to further elaborate.

“We are carrying the torch for women’s rights as conservatives and as Republicans,” she said. “All these issues have stirred up the mama bears, right? We’ve been stirred up like never before. One mama bear with a cub is a pretty dangerous situation if you get between them. But just think of a pack of mama bears. That’s a grueling situation that I would never want to be near. So on November 8, we are going to show them who are really the ones that have the heart for Pennslyvania.”

Mastriano later concluded his campaign rally by ensuring the crowd that he has their back while encouraging everyone to go out and vote to make their voice heard.

“Pennsylvania, we are the keystone state,” Mastriano said. “We are the seed of the nation.”

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Democratic gubernatorial candidate Shapiro and Senate candidate John Fetterman will speak at 5:45 p.m. today, November 2, on Old Main Lawn as part of a “Rally in the Valley” event.