Scott Wagner, the Republican candidate for governor, continues to campaign at local businesses.

On the campaign trail: Scott Wagner, the Republican candidate for governor, and Jeff Bartos, his lieutenant governor running mate, greeted customers and ate lunch at Reen’s Deli in Parkwood last week. Pictured are (from left) Bartos, Reen’s Deli owner Kevin Divver and Wagner. TOM WARING / TIMES PHOTO

Scott Wagner, the Republican candidate for governor, has been campaigning a lot at local businesses this summer.

Wagner has already hit Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse, the Dining Car and Delaware Valley Sports Center.

Last week, he greeted customers and ate lunch at Reen’s Deli, 12319 Academy Road in Parkwood, chatting with owner Kevin Divver and making some patrons happy by paying their tab. Tom Matkowski, GOP leader of the 65th Ward, joined the candidate.

Jeff Bartos, Wagner’s lieutenant governor running mate, was also at the deli, talking about economic growth, jobs and Philadelphia’s status as a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants.

“Wagner-Bartos is clearly for the rule of law. We will make sure there are not sanctuary cities in Pennsylvania,” Bartos said.

TOM WARING / TIMES PHOTO

If elected, Wagner would form a crisis action team to address the opioid epidemic. The team would include district attorneys, medical examiners, treatment professionals, county commissioners and coroners.

“We all have to get together in the same room,” he said.

Wagner said extended treatment is probably needed, adding that he’s been told that 30-day programs are ineffective, and that 270-day programs are ideal.

Next, Wagner headed to Nicoletti Beverage Center, 7040 State Road, where 55th Ward GOP leader Chris Vogler was waiting.

Wagner and owner Mike Nicoletti spoke on Facebook Live. The candidate bought a Gatorade and wasn’t happy paying the city beverage tax and whopping 8-percent sales tax. Nicoletti also mentioned the city’s high cigarette tax and Dumpster fee.

Wagner said Mayor Jim Kenney is “out of control.”

“As next governor, I’ll support the legislation to end this stupid soda tax,” he said.

The night before his visit to Northeast businesses, Wagner rode in a 26th Police District car with a sergeant, and was dismayed by the trash and drug areas.

On the morning of his visit to Reen’s and Nicoletti’s, he met with Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 executives. At Reen’s, he ran into former FOP presidents Bob Hurst and Rich Costello.

Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Val DiGiorgio is calling on Democrats to denounce last week’s verbal and physical harassment by Antifa protesters against conservative commentators Candace Owens and Charlie Kirk while the two were eating breakfast at Green Eggs Cafe, 212 S. 13th St.

“The physical and verbal harassment of two law-abiding, private citizens over their political views is outrageous and beyond the pale of reasonable political discourse. I would like to thank the Philadelphia Police Department for intervening to protect Candace Owens and Charlie Kirk during what must have been a dangerous and unsettling situation,” DiGiorgio said.

“Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ‘History will record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.’ As divisive political rhetoric from the radical left turns into violence, I call on Pennsylvania Democratic Party and all Democrats of character to denounce this — and any — activity that seeks to replace reasoned debate with violence and intimidation. Should they remain silent, they remain complicit with a group that seeks to obstruct, destruct and tear this country apart.”

Mayor Jim Kenney will headline a fundraiser for state Rep. Jared Solomon on Wednesday, Aug. 15, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Buccann, a Caribbean restaurant at 7254 Castor Ave.

Tickets range from $100 to $2,500 and include dinner and drinks.

Solomon was unopposed in the primary and has no opponent in the general election.

The Philadelphia Young Republicans are holding their second annual Back2School Drive to raise money for the purchase of new backpacks and school supplies for elementary schools in the city.

Last year, the Philadelphia Young Republicans donated 330 backpacks to 12 schools.

To donate, go to https://www.gofundme.com/4irvc00 ••