Elections 2024 | Harris, Trump-related events in Johnstown cost the city and county a total of about $7,200

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump’s campaign visits earlier this year cost Johnstown and Cambria County a total of about $7,200.

Nearly all of the spending was related to Trump’s Aug. 30 rally, which drew approximately 6,000 people to the 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial in downtown Johnstown.

Information obtained through a Right to Know request shows Johnstown earned $2,565.20 in overtime for firefighters and $2,546.75 for police officers. The Cambria County Sheriff’s Office paid $826 in overtime.

Harris’ Sept. 13 landing at the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, a motorcade ride and a visit to Classic Elements, a downtown gift shop, bookstore, cafe and wine shop, required additional compensation of $347.02 for the Johnstown fire and $953.36 for police. The sheriff’s office was involved in Harris’ arrest but incurred no additional expenses.

Johnstown also received $600 in vendor fees for the Trump rally as merchandise stands appeared near the arena and in other neighborhoods. When Harris arrived in town, no vendors were involved.

“Vice President Harris and former President Trump’s visits to Johnstown show how important a Pennsylvania win can be on the path to the White House,” said Johnstown Mayor Frank Janakovic. “This shows why cities like Johnstown and their voters matter, because every vote counts in this election. The publicity and the people and businesses it attracts to Johnstown and our region far outweigh the minimal cost to the city.”

The Cambria County Solicitor’s Office noted that “the sheriff’s office has not billed (Trump’s) campaign.”

City officials asked whether Johnstown received reimbursement either did not know or did not respond.

According to arena general manager Jean Desrochers, although the War Memorial is owned by the county, Trump used the facility under a private lease agreement between the candidate’s campaign and ASM Global, which manages the facility.