Vice presidential candidate JD Vance came to Erie County for the second time in this campaign.

“I think it’s a good place to make the fundamental Donald Trump campaign message that if we get back to common-sense policies, we can rebuild Pennsylvania manufacturing, we can rebuild American prosperity in the process,” Vance said. 

He was here to spread that message to supporters and undecided voters like Penn State Behrend freshman Andrew Peterson.

“I figured I’d come by, see what he has to say,” Peterson said.

“I’m trying to be as informed as I can about this election before I make my decision.”

This election will be the first one he can vote in. He wants to hear the candidates talk more about issues like LGBTQ+ rights.

“If it doesn’t affect me, I think anybody should be able to love whoever,” he said.

Brecken Schmidt, also a freshman at Behrend said he’ll vote for Harris but could change his mind.

“I don’t really like how the border is being handled under the Democrats right now. But I do align with a lot of Democratic values,” Schmidt said.

He said it’s important to hear from everyone.

“It’s not fair to not, like, hear out the other side and not, like, see their opinion if you’re just going to be bullheaded and just vote on one person without knowing everyone else’s opinion,” he said.

While they might not be sure about who they’ll vote for, they both agreed it’s important for people their age to vote. 

“This is the next generation of people who are going to be leading this country. I think it’s good for people to make these opinions early on in their life,” Peterson said.

“Our opinions matter. Maybe not more than the older generations,” Schmidt said.

“But I think that we are more entitled to making decisions that are going to impact us longer.”