In exactly four months, Pennsylvanians will go to the polls to elect a new governor.

Carbon County residents will also elect a new representative in Congress, after being moved to a new district during redistricting.

The Democrats vying for both seats visited Carbon County on Thursday as their campaigns for the general election get underway.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who is facing state Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Adams, toured Jim Thorpe’s Broadway. He was joined by U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Pa. 7, who is facing Republican challenger Lisa Scheller.

Shapiro said he made the visit to demonstrate that he’ll be committed to the state’s small businesses as governor.

“If you go to rural, urban and suburban communities, Main Streets make up the core of each community, and they need help,” he said.

Wild said she wanted to reconnect with her district’s new constituents in Carbon County.

They spoke with owners and employees at businesses including Molly Maguire’s Pub & Steakhouse, Mauch Chunk 5&10 and the Gem Shop. At Somersault Letterpress, Shapiro admired event invitations.

“Next year I may have a big event to invite people to,” he said.

Business owners said they weren’t making public endorsements, but they were willing to share how they are faring financially.

Wild said it appeared business was strong, with the town in the middle of a busy summer tourism season.

“Things sound pretty good up here in Jim Thorpe,” Wild said.

The candidates acknowledged that other businesses are seeing challenges such as rising expenses and a lack of employees.

Shapiro blamed international factors for gas prices and inflation, but said he’d help residents by cutting some taxes and giving a $250 gas tax refund for every resident with a car. He endorsed raising the minimum wage as well as increasing funding for apprenticeship programs.

“We need to focus on retraining the workforce,” he said.

Wild said she’s sponsored legislation aimed at alleviating food and fuel costs.

At Molly Maguire’s, the candidates posed for pictures with some diners who had already made their mind up in the governor’s race.

For some like Ray Dobbins, Shapiro’s support for abortion has become an important part of the campaign.

“I want him to protect women’s rights. They’re destroying them, making them second-class citizens,” he said.

Deanna Aungst, of Berks County, whose family posed for pictures with Shapiro, said the Supreme Court’s decision to reverse Roe v. Wade has made the upcoming race for governor drastically more important.

“It’s life or death at this point,” she said.