PennLive’s 2024 primary voters’ guide: Pa. State House Districts 1-50

Contact: amenforphilly.com | facebook.com/AmenForPhilly

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

Cass Green

County: Philadelphia

Contact: cassgreenforpa.com | facebook.com/CassGreenforPA

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 11 - Republican

Marci Mustello

County: Butler

Contact: marci4pa.com | facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057843528514

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

Ryan Covert

County: Butler

Contact: ryancovertforstaterep.com | facebook.com/ryancovert2020

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 12 - Democrat

Robert Vigue

Party: Democratic

County: Butler

Occupation: Retired United States Air Force

Qualifications: Current three term Valencia Borough President. Butler County Pa, Federated Library Board Member, Mars Pa, Library Board Voce President, Butler County Pa, Borough Association nd Vice President. Twice Elected PA Constable.

Contact: robvigueforpa.com | facebook.com/robvigueforpa

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

Womans Choice/Healthcare by far one of the most seriosu issues in the last 50 years. In Pennsylvania we need to coify womans rights as well as the rights of the LGBTQ community into the state consitution. I also have serious concerns at the way our seniors are treated and need address the issues in a public way. If need be the AG needs to be more agressives in protecting seniors from scammers and the shady people who prey on the. With Legislation we can make the penaltys tougher.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

People right now are getting scared to go to polling places due to the current climate of violence that has been unleashed. Encouraging using the mail in ballot process would help give more confidence to as long as we include legislation to include smart ballot curing and pre processing of ballots.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

The fact is while we have some great schools in our district, Mars and Senaca, itsd time we funded all district fairly and equally. Our students in all areas deserve a quality eduation. Our parents who pay taxes deserve to know that those taxes are being used in a way to help all students, not just in the wealthy communities.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

Again we need to codify a womans right to choose. At this time we have a Democratic Governor who will use his power for at least the next three years o protect a womans right to choose. But that not a gurantee. Depending on the elections, a veto could be overriden by the State House. We need to elect members like myself who will believe and encourage a womans right to choose.

District 12 - Republican

Stephenie Scialabba

County: Butler

Contact: ss4staterep.com | facebook.com/ss4staterep

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 13 - Democrat

Cristian Luna

Party: Democratic

County: Chester

Occupation: Deputy Prothonotary

Education: Cristian is an Avon Grove School District graduate and later attended West Chester University receiving his bachelors degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology.

Qualifications: I currently serve as a Deputy Prothonotary in the Chester County Prothonotary’s office, maintaining Protection from Abuse cases, and previously served as a bilingual Legal Advocate with the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County.

Contact: www.lunaforpa.com | www.instagram.com/lunaforparep/ | www.facebook.com/LunaForPARep

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

I am running to bring a new generation’s perspective in my community, the place we call home and ensure that it is safe, vibrant, accessible, and affordable now and for generations to come. Protecting water is a priority and the privatization of the Chester Water Authority is dangerous. As a previous mushroom farm worker I would use my experience to support our local farms. I believe in protecting and preserving our open spaces, protecting the right to vote, raising the state minimum wage, helping seniors stay in their homes, tackling high property taxes, ensuring higher education is affordable, accessible and attainable. I believe in addressing issues such as gun violence, and protecting our environment.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

I am a firm believer that Pennsylvania has safe and fair elections and making sure we keeping them that way is a priority for me. We must address the issues that bar eligible voters to exercise their right to vote on Election Day or via mail-in ballots.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

I would support legislation that promotes fair funding for all public schools across the Commonwealth. Every district needs to be funded properly so that students have the resources they need to succeed. I will always be an advocate for public schools and for the investment in our educators. This must be accomplished in a manner that relieves a financial burden that is hurting our working families in Pennsylvania.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

I believe that the government should not dictate what a woman does with her body. Everyone including women should have access to a full range of health care services.

District 13 - Republican

Carmela Ciliberti

County: Chester

Contact: carmelaciliberti.com | facebook.com/carmelacilibertiesq

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

John Lawrence

County: Chester

Contact: lawrenceforrep.com | facebook.com/LawrenceForRep

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 14 - Democrat

Kenya Johns

County: Beaver

Occupation: Professor

Education: Ph.D from Duquesne University

Qualifications: Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Geneva College & Ph.D from Duquesne University

Contact: kenyajohns.com | instagram.com/kenyajohns4pa | facebook.com/Kenya4Mayor

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

Fully and equitably funding the educational system

Expand access to mental health care

Support developing funding to address the growing infrastructure needs of the commonwealth

Safe and affordable housing

Life Sustaining Jobs

Autonomy of life

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

I believe that we have a constitutional and ethical responsibility to make sure that every person that can legally vote, has the opportunity to do so without bias, intimidation or fear. Citizens have a right to be heard and make sure that their voice is counted when decisions are made. Voting access and accessibility is the way that this happens and I am committed to creating legislature that supports and affirms these principles.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

I would support these claims and aim to develop legislation that supports the growing needs of young people, educators and community members in a way that does not continue to cause more financial strains in communities that just want to setup their young people to succeed but do not have the finances to do so equitably.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

I believe that we have an ethical responsibility to support our freedoms as Americans, and I plan on upholding these values for all Americans.

District 14 - Republican

Roman Kozak

County: Beaver

Contact: kozakforpa.com | facebook.com/kozak4pa

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 15 - Democrat

Ashlee Caul

County: Beaver

Occupation: Computer/Web programmer/analyst

Education: New York University, Robert Morris University

Contact: www.ashleecaul.com

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

° Election safety and security - See below.

° Infrastructure repair and modernization - The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission has a mission to help direct the use of state and federal transportation and economic development funds allocated to the region—approximately $35 billion through 2045. I expect to support legislation to manage the allocation of this funding as appropriate.

° Elder abuse, including fraud - I propose some form of reporting by financial institutions to trigger judicial review of a senior citizen’s monetary assets, including real estate, without robbing individuals of their liberty and self-direction.

° Mental health - I propose removal of limits on mental health services in health insurance.

° Addiction

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

° Automatic voter registration at age 18

° Postage-paid mail ballots.

° Increased number of drop-off points, with security, for mail ballots.

° Pressing the U.S. Postal Service to prioritize delivery of returned mail ballots over other first-class mail.

° Notification when a voter’s mail ballot is not received by the county Elections Bureau at least one week prior to the election.

° Longer and more detailed training for election officials.

° Election officials who violate election law should be prohibited from serving as an election official in any county in Pennsylvania for some period of time.

° Restore voting rights to the formerly incarcerated.

° Oppose new voter ID requirements and other forms of voter suppression.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

° A better funding formula to shift the cost away from property taxes so as to create a more equitable system to provide for all learners regardless of ZIPCode, with regularly scheduled updates to the formula.

° Parents can choose private schools for their children, but if the funding follows the child, then the public oversight must also follow the child, and the loss of that funding must not undercut the local public system.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

The Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act mandates that women seeking abortion receive counseling about options. Providing the woman with FACTUAL information about options such as adoption and parenthood is a good idea. While we may assume that every woman is fundamentally aware of all choices, providing accurate information about the reality of each choice is a good idea. I plan to focus more on solving the problems that lead women to choose abortion.

District 15 - Republican

Joshua D. Kail

County: Beaver

Contact: joshkail.com | facebook.com/JoshKailStateRep

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 16 - Democrat

Robert F. Matzie

County: Beaver

Contact: robmatzie.com | facebook.com/RepMatzie

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 16 - Republican

Michael J. Perich

County: Beaver

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 17 - Republican

Tim Bonner

County: Mercer

Contact: facebook.com/TimBonnerForStateRepresentativetimbonnerforstaterepresentative.com

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 18 - Democrat

Anand Patel

County: Bucks

Occupation: Self Employed: Owner of GNC Franchises

Education: AA: Humanities, Dual BA: General Theater, and History, MS: Health & Nutrition Ed.

Qualifications: Elected School Director 2015-2019

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

The low wages earned. I believe that Pennsylvanians should have greater opportunity to earn. Whether through the increase of the minimum wage, or better earnings incentives by the employer.

Healthcare should be accessed easily and readily available to all. Whether through employment, or accessibility is reachable, and affordable. Healthcare importance should be visible, and advantageously understood. The government should take initiative to bring forth such recognition. This would help with early prevention of health issues occurring.

Legalization of recreational marijuana would help minimize crime from the usage, purchasing, and selling illegally. Taxes generated can be directed to commuity betterment. And safer product by regulating.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

The mail-in-ballots is exceptional. Continue to have this method of voting, expand and refine.

Work with local government to partner with eldercare transportation, school district school buses, to assist with those choosing to head to the polls to vote.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

That Charter School oversight, regulation, operations, and funding should be better controlled by the school districts. It should be mandatory that the attending students in the school district have rights, and privileges for their betterment, and education and the experiences gained. the Charter schools, and privilages are secondary in comparison.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

A woman, and her family would have all women’s reproductive rights. The state should not interfere. She has the choice to make decisions. The medical support should be readily available. With no government involvement bringing forth obstacles, and blockage for access to medical aid.

District 18 - Republican

Kathleen C. Tomlinson

Party: Republican

County: Bucks

Occupation: State Representative

Education: Bensalem High School, 2007 Mercer County Community College, 2014 - Licensed Funeral Director

Qualifications: State Representative

Contact: kcforstaterep.com | facebook.com/KCforStateRep

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

I believe that the two most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians today are the rising cost of living and the spike in crime threatening our communities.

These are basic quality of life issues that must be addressed and are the kinds of issues that families in my district are facing every single day.

I voted to expand the rent rebate program to put more money back into the pockets of more Pennsylvanians, and I have held the line on taxes, consistently voting against tax hikes on working families.

On the crime front, I secured over $1.5 million in funding for our local law enforcement. I have also had the privilege of passing 4 laws since elected, and 3 were related to crime – my retail theft bill, porch piracy law, and Lindsey’s Law.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

I fully support making our elections more secure & more accessible for all voters, which is why I was proud to support the Pennsylvania Voting Rights Protection Act in the last session.

In terms of security, this legislation would have expanded upon the current voter ID law, required regular audits of our elections, and directed counties to provide voters with a scannable and durable Voter Registration Card similar to the cards currently issued when registering to vote.

This law would have made it easier to vote as well, allowing for in-person early voting, implementing a more practical timeline for mail-in voting, and providing regulations for county-run drop boxes.

These are the kinds of reforms that our election system needs.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

I have always been a strong advocate for quality public education. As a graduate of our Bensalem public schools, I know how important it is to provide students with the opportunities they deserve, and educators and support staff with the resources they need to be effective.

The Commonwealth Court’s ruling last year has set the stage for significant reform of the way we fund our public schools. There will be much debate over the next several months regarding these reforms, but my commitment is that I will always fight to make sure our schools receive their fair share of funding.

I have a clear record on this, bringing record funding to public schools during my time in office. This is, and will always be, a top priority for me.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

As a young woman, I believe in protecting access to safe and legal abortion in Pennsylvania, which our current state law does.

I will not support changes to the law from either extreme end of the political spectrum – neither to restrict access to abortion, nor to expand late-term abortions for non-medical reasons.

I am the only candidate in this race with a voting record that protects women’s rights. For me, and women across Pennsylvania, this is not a partisan political question, but a deeply personal one. On this, and all issues, I will continue to put people before politics.

District 19 - Democrat

Aerion Andrew Abney

County: Allegheny

Contact: voteaerionabney.com | facebook.com/AerionAndrewAbney

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 20 - Democrat

Emily Kinkead

County: Allegheny

Occupation: Legislator, Attorney

Education: Bloomsburg University of PA; Bloomsburg, PA; B.A. Political Science, B.S. Biology University of Pittsburgh School of Law; Pittsburgh, PA; Juris Doctor

Qualifications: Incumbent legislator, attorney

Contact: emily4pa20.com | www.instagram.com/emily4pa20/ | www.facebook.com/EmilyKinkead4PA

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

In my district, the most pressing issues are 1) blight and landslides, 2) living wages, 3) local investment. I have introduced and voted for legislation to address each of these. I have also been able to bring millions of dollars back to my region to help my communities. Some of the legislation has passed and been signed into law, some is still in the pipeline. There is a lot more work to be done - especially since Democrats only just won the majority - including increasing protections and access to reproductive healthcare, further protections and expansions of voting rights, and curbing the gun violence epidemic. This is the first time in 12 years that Democratic priorities have been moving in PA’s legislature and I want to continue that.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

I support expanding automatic voter registration, early voting, and making election day a holiday, among other measures to increase voter turnout and engagement. I support providing additional funding to our counties to run elections as well as allowing mail-in ballot pre-canvassing.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

As the Commonwealth Court ruled, we cannot continue to fund the lion’s share of school costs on the backs of property owners in the various districts. The inequity it creates is not just unconstitutional but unconscionable. I am excited about what the Basic Education Funding Commission (BEFC) report recommends and I am enthusiastic about supporting legislation and a budget that will implement those recommendations. I know there are people who are far greater experts than I am about this issue and I believe that the BEFC report is a culmination of a year of extensive input from those experts all across the state.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

I support removing any restrictions on access to reproductive healthcare and believe that a person should have the freedom and right to make those decisions for themselves. It is not the government’s business to determine if, when, or how someone gets pregnant, keeps that pregnancy, or gives birth. The government’s substantial interest when it comes to reproduction is to ensure that individuals have access to the healthcare that will ensure their health and welfare in whatever direction they choose.

District 20 - Republican

Matt Kruth

County: Allegheny

Contact: facebook.com/Kruth4PA20

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 21 - Democrat

Lindsay Powell

County: Allegheny

Occupation: State Representative

Education: Bachelor of Arts from Wheaton College in Sociology and a Master’s of Science in Public Policy Management from Carnegie Mellon University Heinz College

Qualifications: Prior to election, Lindsay was the Director of Workforce Strategies for InnovatePGH, and prior to that she oversaw legislation and policy for city departments in Pittsburgh

Contact: lindsaypowellforpa.com | facebook.com/lindsaypowellforpa

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

Housing - Every Pittsburgher should have access to safe and dignified housing. We must invest in building new and rehabbing existing housing to expand the city’s housing stock and create a city affordable to all.

Working Families - Families across our districts are worried about keeping their heads above water and making sure that their children have a bright future ahead of them. I believe without addressing rising childcare costs, healthcare reform and addressing student debt, we are failing families in our community.

Jobs & the Economy - Our local economy is fueled by small businesses, entrepreneurs and workers. Pennsylvania needs to protect its workers by raising the minimum wage and making it easier to start and grow businesses.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

I would support expanding automatic voter registration, early voting opportunities, and anything that can make voting more accessible and easier to do.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

I believe the work of the Basic Education Funding Commission will help us get to where we need to be in terms of equitably funding our schools and public education. However I hope to work directly with PFT and stakeholders from the Districts we represent to ensure that the proposed funding changes align with what our teachers and students want to see. The best way to fund education is through a progressive funding distribution which would allow for the state to provide sufficient per pupil funding for districts with more income restricted families. States like NJ and WI have been doing this successfully for years and also fund PreK.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

I would support removing the current limitations on abortion in Pennsylvania so that people can have the freedom to make reproductive decisions for themselves.

District 22 - Democrat

Joshua M. Siegel

Party: Democratic

County: Lehigh

Occupation: State Representative

Qualifications: Current State Representative, Former Allentown City Councilman, Former Assistant Operations Manager Lehigh County Controller, Former Lehigh County Public Information Officer

Contact: votejoshsiegel.com | www.instagram.com/JoshuaSiegel93 | www.facebook.com/JoshSiegelforPA

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

The biggest issue we must address in Pennsylvania is the affordability crisis. Working families across the commonwealth are struggling with the cost of property taxes, higher education, housing and putting food on the table. We must correct decades of divestment from our education system and our communities to ensure we have a prosperous workforce and a vibrant economy. In my first term, I was proud to increase the Property Tax Rent Rebate for the first time since 2007, helping seniors stay in their homes, increase the maximum amount for the child tax credit to $2,100 for families and the largest basic education increase in the history of the state, but there is much more work to do.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

We must make sure that our election officials have the tools and funding to run efficient and fair elections. Here in Lehigh County we have protected the use of dropboxes to make it more convenient to vote. There is still more we need to do in the legislature. The burden that the legislature has put on election officials by not allowing them to precanvass mail in ballots has delayed vote counts and has cynically been used by some officials to falsely attack the integrity of our elections. Our elections are at the heart of our democracy, and it is our responsibility as legislators to ensure they are funded and fair.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

The Commonwealth Court’s decision was a groundbreaking acknowledgement of the injustice of our education funding. I see it as an opportunity to correct a historic wrong that has left far too many Pennsylvanians behind. We have a constitutional duty to ensure that our education system is thorough and efficient, and historically the legislature has not provided equal funding to our students, especially in districts like Allentown. We have started to address this through funding increases, and I look forward to the opportunity to be part of the legislature that finally addresses this tragic inequity.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

I will always protect a woman’s right to choose.

District 23 - Democrat

Dan Frankel

County: Allegheny

Occupation: Legislator

Education: Pennington School (1974); Kenyon College (1978)

Qualifications: For over 25 years, Rep. Frankel has served as the State Representative of the 23rd Legislative District. Currently, he is the Majority Chairman of the House Health Committee, where he promotes science-based policies to protect and improve the public health of the Commonwealth.

Contact: electdanfrankel.com

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

My priorities in my next term will be equality and justice, the environment, firearm policy reform, government reform, decriminalizing adult-use cannabis use, and reproductive rights. I have been fighting for these progressive values for two decades and have worked to build coalitions of lawmakers to advocate with me. For example, I founded the Women’s Health Caucus and the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus. These caucuses have become passionate groups of leaders fighting for policies often disregarded just 20 years ago.

As the Majority Chairman of the House Health Committee, I will prioritize increasing access to quality healthcare for every Pennsylvania and will work to lower the cost of prescription drugs.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

Everyone should be able to vote easily, whether they have a disability, are incarcerated, have an unstable address, or have an inflexible work schedule. Therefore, I support expanding access to ballot drop boxes, same-day registration, and guaranteeing the ability to vote early. In addition, updating Pennsylvania’s voting laws should continue beyond improving voting access; it’s time we let our county elections offices canvass mail-in and absentee ballots before election day.What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

The Commonwealth should implement a needs-

based funding formula that considers the unique needs of each school district. This formula should take into account factors such as student demographics, socioeconomic status, English

language proficiency, and special education requirements. This ensures that districts with greater challenges receive additional resources.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

Abortions should be safe and legal- I have always supported this, and I always will. After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, we learned that we must take action to protect patients but also for abortion providers. States with abortion restrictions or bans have made threats of legal action against healthcare professionals providing abortion care to patients feeling abortion restrictions. We must make sure that our abortion providers in Pennsylvania can continue to provide these safe and legal abortions in our Commonwealth without the threat of punitive action against them for providing high-quality healthcare.

District 24 - Democrat

LaTasha D. Mayes

County: Allegheny

Occupation: Elected Official

Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, University of Pittsburgh (1999-2003), Master of Science in Public Policy and Management, Carnegie Mellon University (2004-2005), Executive Program in Social Impact Strategy Certificate, University of Pennsylvania (2019)

Qualifications: Current State Representative, Founder and Former President & CEO, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, 24 Years of Public Service to the Greater Pittsburgh Region

Contact: latashaforpa.com | instagram.com/latashaforpa | facebook.com/latashaforpa

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

In spite of the pressing issues they face, Pennsylvanians are taking care of their families, going to work and contributing to their communities. Access to healthcare is a widespread issue for Pennsylvanians of all backgrounds. Access looks like traveling to other counties for basic care, being uninsured or underinsured, dealing with crushing medical debt, the inability to go to appointments or pay for prescriptions, poor quality care if you are low/no-income and fear of discrimination that can be fatal in the case of Black maternal mortality. I serve on the Health Committee that advances important legislation, I co-founded the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus and I am working to ensure everyone in my district has health insurance coverage.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

We must increase state funding to invest in free, fair and secure elections and the proposed state budget increases the Department of State line item by $9.3 million. We now have automatic voter registration, and we must maintain its funding each year. The budget includes a $5 million increase for voter education and direct outreach as well as additional funding for counties to administer elections which can be costly. Increasing poll worker pay is imperative to have the elections workforce we need. We must pass the K. Leroy Irvis Voter Protection Act that includes early voting locations, same day voter registration, ballot curing and pre-canvassing. As an Appropriations Member, I am working to ensure we fund the expansion of voting rights.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

The Commonwealth Court ruling was unequivocal in determining that our school funding system is unconstitutional. Depending on your zip code, a student’s opportunity to learn is limited based on if they live in a low-wealth versus high-wealth school district which contributes to inequitable investments in education. Our commonwealth needs a fair funding formula that does not pit school districts against each other, increased investment in the basic education fund to address the $5.4 billion adequacy gap across our 500 school districts and work against vouchers that imperil the financial future of our public schools. We must also increase the state’s share for special education and equitably invest in career and technical education programs.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

As a Reproductive Justice national leader, community organizer and policy advocate for nearly 25 years, I have devoted my life to ensure that we all have the Human Right to control our bodies and our reproduction. My work on state-level policy for abortion rights is rooted in my 18 years as leader of New Voices for Reproductive Justice that continues to operate across Pennsylvania and Ohio. I continue this work as State Representative and we must codify the explicit right to abortion in the state constitution which I am working on with my colleagues, I am introducing a bill with another colleague to reverse TRAP laws that closed abortion clinics over the last decade, and we successfully defunded Real Alternatives crisis pregnancy centers.

District 25 - Democrat

Brandon J. Markosek

County: Allegheny

Contact: markosek4pa.com | facebook.com/MarkosekPA25

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 25 - Republican

John Ritter

County: Allegheny

Contact: facebook.com/p/Ritter-for-Rep-PA-25th-100069166690733

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 26 - Democrat

Paul Friel

County: Chester

Occupation: Representative in the general assembly

Education: Temple University

Qualifications: Significant senior executive leadership positions, served on local school board, served on several non profit boards

Contact: paulfriel.com | | facebook.com/paulforpa

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

Education funding for K-12 and affordability of higher education is critical for the legislature to address this session. Providing policies that help our local community’s economic health and resilience - investing in local infrastructure. Helping our agriculture industry thrive and grow. As a member of the education, agriculture and finance committees I am working on the policies that are some of the most important for our future.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

I believe open primaries are a way to get more engagement and will better reflect the majority of voters giving a voice to those not now able to participate in primary elections. I am a cosponsor of legislation to make this change. I also support campaign finance reform and believe getting dark money out of politics is a critical step towards protecting our democracy.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

As a member of the education committee and former school board president I have been working to bring legislation forward that addresses the structural inequities in our school funding system. I have proposed legislation and am a cosponsor of legislation to reduce our dependence on local property tax and to more fairly distribute our state resources.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

I believe we need to protect women’s reproductive autonomy and allow medical professionals and families make decisions not politicians.

District 27 - Democrat

Daniel J. Deasy

County: Allegheny

Contact: electdandeasy.com | facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087607112877

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 28 - Democrat

Bill Petulla

County: Allegheny

Occupation: Chief Trial Deputy, Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office

Education: Juris Doctor, Bachelor of Science in Journalism - University of Kansas

Qualifications: Criminal Prosecutor, Coach, Father, and Life-long Public Servant

Contact: billpetulla.com | instagram.com/petullaforpa | facebook.com/petullaforpa

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

My top priorities are to invest in our community, promote public safety, and address the mental health crisis. I will advocate for a plan to provide public transit options, rebuild and repair our roads and bridges, and invest in local businesses to create good-paying jobs. As it relates to public safety, I will be a strong advocate for proper funding for our first responders to ensure they have the training and resources necessary to do their jobs safely. I will prioritize access to mental health services in schools so that students can receive early intervention to help prevent the escalation of mental health problems, reduce the severity, and ultimately improve overall outcomes.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

I believe we need to continue to protect access to vote-by-mail. Expanding access and opportunities to vote makes voting much more accessible especially in rural and elderly communities. We need to continue to invest in updates and funding to ensure that local election boards have the resources, technology, and staffing they need so that they can facilitate safe and secure elections. I would be in favor of making in-person voting more accessible on Election Day at the polls by passing legislation to make Election Day a state holiday in Pennsylvania.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

I would support legislation that increases oversight and reassess charter school funding to ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars. I would support legislation that addresses funding inequities to ensure that all schools, regardless of socioeconomic status, have access to the appropriate resources. Any legislation to address the school funding system should also be done in collaboration with educators, school boards, and school administrators. A key piece of public education funding should also include early childhood education. Investing in early education can have long-lasting benefits for children. As such, I would sponsor legislation that expands access to high-quality early childhood education programs.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

We need to protect access to abortion care and women’s reproductive rights. I would not support any changes that seek to limit or further restrict access to abortion in Pennsylvania. I would support legislation that seeks to strengthen the protections on abortion access and protects the right to privacy when making healthcare decisions with your doctor.

District 28 - Republican

Jeremy Shaffer

County: Allegheny

Occupation: Entrepreneur / Engineer

Education: Carnegie Mellon - Ph.D. and Masters Degree Electrical and Computer Engineering; MBA UNC Chapel Hill; Bachelor’s Computer Engineering Tulane University

Qualifications: Township Commissioner; Small Business Owner and job creator; Northern Tier Library Board Member; Northland Library Foundation Board Member; Youth Basketball and Soccer coach; Father of 5; Volunteer in various outdoor and environmental groups

Contact: voteshaffer.com | www.instagram.com/jeremyshafferpa/ | facebook.com/shaffer4pa

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

Pennsylvania’s financial situation is approaching what is commonly called a “fiscal cliff.” The governor’s current budget proposes massive spending increases in various programs, relying in large part on the state’s fiscal reserves, known as its “Rainy Day Fund.” Placing one-time revenues into budget lines that require recurring funds every year is irresponsible. The only other option would be to burden Pennsylvania citizens with increased taxes and the economic decline that comes with reduced competitiveness. Despite our amazing strengths (people, schools, cultural, outdoor, etc.) Our region continues to be one of the only metropolitan areas in the country to lose population. We need to attract and retain jobs not drive them away.What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

Key to functioning democracy is having all parties have trust in the election process no matter the outcome. Implementing common sense reforms such as Voter ID are ways to improve trust in the system. It is also important to support our local elections officials and workers who toil long hours with limited pay and provide them the tools they need to run efficient and safe elections. Ensuring that we have clear rules that apply uniformly across Pennsylvania is something that the legislature and Governor must work together to ensure. It is unacceptable to have different counties apply conflicting guidelines when counting ballots as has been done in the past.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

I will work hard to defend our excellent school districts in the 28th District: Deer Lakes, Hampton, North Allegheny, and Pine-Richland. Our high performing schools typically spend far less per student than poorly performing districts. We should not punish districts that are doing well but empower parents and reform districts that are failing. Throwing massive amounts of new money into broken systems like Philadelphia without real reforms will not solve the problem. The clearest answer to rectifying unequal funding to is have the school funding dollars follow the student, empower parents, and have accountability on failing schools. I will fight hard to ensure that money from our school districts doesn’t get siphoned off to Philadelphia.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

I would favor clearly defined regulations and broad policies to encourage a culture of life, including support for parents dealing with unwanted pregnancies. This would include an end to the lax enforcement of child support laws which have allowed too many fathers to abandon their obligation to provide for their children.

District 29 - Democrat

Tim Brennan

County: Bucks

Occupation: Legislator/Attorney

Education: Ursinus College (B.A.), Widener University School of Law (J.D.), Trinity College and Charles University (International)

Qualifications: Current State Representative serving on the following committees: Appropriations, Ethics, Labor, State Government, Insurance and Tourism. Attorney, municipal solicitor for over 15 years, certified in law government and certified as expert in workers compensation law. Former local council member.

Contact: brennanforpa.com | facebook.com/friendsoftimbrennan

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

There have been few times in history that we have faced so much uncertainty and danger, both at home, with challenges to our democracy, and abroad, with authoritarianism on the rise. Despite these unique challenges, I continue to believe there is nothing wrong with this country that can’t be fixed with more of what is right with it. We must reinvest in civic education and recommit to the practice of active informed citizenship; it’s a responsibility on which all of our freedoms and economic prosperity depend. Some of the most important things I have done in office is to protect our democracy, the right to vote and to help young people trust in our democratic institutions and norms, values we absolutely must pass to the next generation.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

The goal of a fully functioning Democracy is to have as many people participate as possible. The first bill I cosponsored was to promote civics in our schools and to permit 16 and 17 year olds to pre-register to vote and to opt-in to receive information about candidates and elections before their first vote. I also support providing Independents, which includes 17% of Bucks County voters and many of our veterans, the opportunity to vote in our primaries. We also can improve mail in voting by allowing pre-canvassing, a permanent mail in status and by providing notice and an opportunity to cure technical defects. Finally, Gerrymandering, a flaw in the democratic process, must be addressed so we have a better quality of representation.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

As a former educator, I know how hard students struggle to better their lives. Our grade schools and high schools are not business operations and, constitutionally and morally, we have a responsibility to provide opportunities for all our kids; we cannot simply pick winners and losers. As the PA Constitution states, our duty is to provide a “thorough and efficient system” to actually “serve the needs of the Commonwealth.” We can’t solve 21st century problems without investing in our problem solvers. I support Gov. Shapiro’s education plan, which begins a constitutionally required investment with a 1.1 billion dollar increase in education funding, 300 million in infrastructure repairs and significant savings from cyber charter reform.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

Family planning, abortion and birth control should be treated like any other type of healthcare. Such decisions should be evidence and science based and be made between a person and their doctor. I would support a constitutional right to privacy and measures similar to those I already cosponsored such as bills providing state insurance and Medicaid coverage for abortion services and birth control, providing coverage for in vitro fertilization and family planning, defunding organization that do not provide accurate or complete information about family planning and that provide protection for women who are forced to come here for reproductive care. I also support Planned Parenthood, which serves some of the most in need in our communities.

District 29 - Republican

Steve Mekanik

County: Bucks

Occupation: Small business owner

Education: The Citadel, The Military College of SC

Qualifications: CEO - Small business owner and Buckingham Township Auditor

Contact: www.MekanikForPA.com | Facebook.com/MekanikForPA

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

As your next State Representative, I am committed to addressing two of the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvania families: the rising cost of living, and the ongoing increase in crime rates across our communities.

As a small business owner, I know what it takes to get our economy back on track, and I look forward to delivering real results for Central Bucks County families.

We must do what we can to lower energy prices, create stability in the supply chain, and encourage economic development that brings more small business job creators to our towns.

Finally, I will work as a partner with law enforcement and help ensure they have the funding they need as they put their lives on the line each and every day to keep our streets safe.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

In a time when polarization has taken hold of our politics, there is bipartisan agreement that reforms must be made to our voting laws. I do not believe it is mutually exclusive to both expand access to voting while also adding security and boosting confidence in the outcomes of our elections.

A great example of the type of compromise legislation I would support was the Pennsylvania Voting Rights Protection Act that was passed in the House last session. This bill provided security measures like expanded Voter ID and regular election audits. It also added in-person early voting, standardized the use of ballot drop boxes, and improved the reliability of mail-in ballots.

We need to come together to fix this basic function of our democracy

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

As the proud father of four children, two who have already graduated and two who currently attend the Central Bucks School system, I understand the importance of providing students with a quality education.

The Commonwealth Court’s ruling has started a wide-ranging and serious debate on the future of education funding here in Pennsylvania, and I believe that my experience as a parent, small business owner, and township auditor will give me important insight as the discussions continue.

Regardless of the specific legislative outcome, my commitment to you is that I will always fight to ensure our students and teachers receive the resources they need to maintain our school district’s reputation for excellence.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

I firmly believe that in a debate as important as this, we must avoid the extremes on either end of the partisan political spectrum. I will not support a ban on abortion, nor can I vote for an expansion of late-term abortion except in the case of rape, incest, and to protect the health of the mother. The exceptions enshrined in current state law must always be protected.

Reproductive healthcare decisions, including abortions, are deeply personal ones, and I will not insert myself between a woman and her doctor.

District 30 - Democrat

Arvind Venkat

County: Allegheny

Occupation: Physician

Education: Educated at Harvard College, Yale University School of Medicine, and the University of Cincinnati Department of Emergency Medicine residency program

Qualifications: ER Physician, Incumbent State Representative

Contact: venkatforpa.com | www.instagram.com/venkatforpa/ | facebook.com/VenkatforPA

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

1) Defending our Democracy - Ensuring that every eligible voter has easy access to the ballot box and protecting our right to free and fair elections, regardless of the outcome; 2) Protecting abortion rights - Preserving reproductive health care and abortion rights for all Pennsylvanians; 3) Supporting Families and Workers -  Fighting for equal pay, paid family leave, and affordable child care and health care - including medical debt relief, in-home care for the elderly, and mental health services.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

I would support expanding voter registration through automatic voter registration, election-day voter registration, and early in-person voting.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

We need to move away from a funding system that allows the location where a child lives govern the quality of their education. While we are reliant on property taxes now along with state funding and federal grants for public education, the former creates an inequitable system. We will need to look at how we adjust the formula for allocating state education funding to reduce reliance on the property tax over time and ensuring equity in educational funding.

The state needs to look at its formula for allocating public education funds to reduce disparities in funding based on local community socioeconomic status. We have started this with increases in funding, but clearly it has not gone far enough given continued reliance on property taxes.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

Pennsylvanians current law protects a person’s right to have an abortion. I support that. But we have seen attempts to remove such protections. I support codifying abortion rights along the structure of the previously overturned Roe v Wade decision as a state constitutional amendment.

District 30 - Republican

Nathan Wolfe

County: Allegheny

Contact: wolfepa.com

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 31 - Democrat

Perry Warren

County: Bucks

Contact: perrywarren.com | facebook.com/perrywarrenforstaterep

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 32 - Democrat

Joe McAndrew

County: Allegheny

Occupation: State Representative

Education: Fox Chapel High School, University of Dayton

Qualifications: Currently serving in the role

Contact: votejoemcandrew.com | facebook.com/VoteJoeMcAndrew

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

How are we building the middle class? What economic, housing, and infrastructure policies are we creating to help support the growth of wealth for working Pennsylvanians. While corporations exploit us, we must push to raise the minimum wage, add protections for workers, and end wage theft, among other vital policies.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

Allowing for a permanent mail-in ballot list would go a long way in solving issues seniors have when applying to mail-in-vote.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

I look forward to reviewing the proposals put forth in the near future to resolve this issue. I believe the house democrats and the governor are working on a strong plan to solve this issue. We must come up with a solution to this issue, without increasing funding to charter schools or voucher programs.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

I would bolster protections for women seeking reproductive healthcare.

Pauline Calabrese

County: Allegheny

Occupation: Mayor of Penn Hills and Family Law Attorney

Education: Duquesne University School of Law - J.D.

Penn State University - B.A.

Qualifications: As the only candidate running for this District who is an attorney, I am exceptionally qualified to serve as a law maker. As a resident for over 25 years and the Mayor in my 5th year I have measurable and verifiable success. I am distinctly qualified to represent the distinct needs of this District

Contact: www.paulinecalabrese.com

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

Education is the most pressing issue. The Commonwealth Court finding that our current structure of funding for public schools is unconstitutional, demands there be a complete overhaul. First, relying on property taxes is fundamentally unfair. It is a burden on seniors and others on fixed incomes. It disproportionally negatively affects poor children who live in areas with lower home values. While I recognize that there needs to be an alternative available for some families, the current charter school funding formula is lopsided and causes an undue drain. A top priority for the state legislature should be reworking the formula, exploring alternate sources of funding for public schools and re-evaluating the cost of higher education.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

To expand access, I would support early voting, an expanded time frame for voting by mail, and voter registration up to and including same day registration. I would support increased funding for local election authorities to ensure security and for proper staffing.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

Please see my answer above.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

In our Commonwealth, abortion is regulated by the Abortion Control Act in the Pennsylvania criminal code. Abortion is an element of women’s healthcare and no government at any level should interfere with a woman’s personal healthcare choices. Our legislature needs to codify the protections of Roe v. Wade and reevaluate some of the restrictions passed in Pennsylvania after the Casey v. Planned Parenthood decision in 1982.

District 33 - Democrat

Mandy Steele

County: Allegheny

Occupation: State Representative

Education: Bachelors Degree from University of Pittsburgh

Contact: steeleforpa.com | instagram.com/steeleforpa.com | facebook.com/SteeleforPA

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

The global energy production landscape is changing as we move the world forward as quickly and efficiently as possible to a net-neutral economy. We must pass legislation that will best position Pennsylvania to remain a leader in the energy space.

The opportunity before us to revitalize local economies with clean energy manufacturing here is immense, leading to more jobs, more school funding, stronger communities - a cleaner, safer, more stable future for the people of our great commonwealth. A collaborative approach is our most expeditious path forward and I will continue to push legislation in this compelling and promising space.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

Pennsylvania has made great strides in expanding voter enfranchisement, starting with automatic voter registration. Our newly-elected County Executive, Sara Innamorato, has added ballot drop boxes around Allegheny County this year. I will continue to support any efforts that improve access to voting and increase voter education efforts.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

I support the basic education funding formula that plans to invest $1.1 Billion in education this year alone. I’d also support legislation for proposed Cyber Charger reform that would send hundreds of millions of dollars back to public school systems.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

Abortion needs to remain legal and accessible in Pennsylvania.

District 33 - Republican

Gary Lotz

County: Allegheny

Occupation: Vice President, Dick Building Company

Education: Masters of Business Administration, Tulane University BA, Government and Foreign Affairs, University of Virginia

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

Population loss is a critical issue for Pennsylvania, hindering economic growth and community vitality. To combat this, we must focus on revitalizing our communities and spurring growth. This involves creating a business-friendly environment through targeted tax incentives and regulatory reforms to encourage job creation and business expansion. Additionally, we need to invest in workforce development and skills training to ensure Pennsylvanians are equipped to compete in today’s economy, fostering innovation and prosperity statewide.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

When it comes to Pennsylvania’s voting laws, I would begin by advocating for the implementation of voter ID. This measures would be essential to instill across the board confidence ensuring the integrity of every vote cast. Furthermore, I would support initiatives to provide better resources and increased support to local election officials, ensuring they have the tools and training necessary to administer elections effectively and efficiently. By investing in technology upgrades and training programs, we can improve the accuracy and reliability of our elections while easing the burden on local election administrators.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

To remedy this legislation must be put forth to ensure that education dollars follow the student, allowing parents to be empowered to make the best educational decisions for their children. This approach fosters competition among schools, encouraging them to enhance their offerings and outcomes to attract students. Furthermore, school choice promotes innovation and diversity in education, providing families with a variety of schooling options tailored to their children’s needs and learning styles. This approach not only tackles the issue of unequal funding but also empowers families, improves educational outcomes, and elevates the overall quality of education in Pennsylvania.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

I don’t see an urgent necessity to alter the existing abortion laws in Pennsylvania. Like most Pennsylvanians, I believe the decision to have an abortion is a deeply personal matter, and I am not running for office to put myself between a woman and her doctor.

District 34 - Democrat

Abigail Salisbury

County: Allegheny

Occupation: State Representative, Nonprofit Attorney

Education: B.A. Case Western Reserve University, J.D. Pitt Law, MPPM Pitt GSPIA

Qualifications: Incumbent of 1 year, nonprofit attorney, small business owner for 9 years, taught classes on First Amendment Law, international human rights law experience, 5 years on Swissvale Borough Council, former nonprofit executive director.

Contact: salisburyforpa.com | facebook.com/SalisburyforPA

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

(1) Unconstitutional system of funding public education. On the Appropriations committee, I focus on shifting from a system based on local property taxes, which exacerbates structural inequities. We must instead pool resources at the state level and invest heavily in basic education funding.

(2) Infrastructure. Massive state investment in roads, water, and sewage systems is necessary.

(3) The burden on 2,560 municipalities to provide public services. I hold intermunicipal meetings for my 13 communities’ elected officials, I am working on providing free grant-writing services to low-income municipalities to give them access to state grants. I work on intermunicipal cooperation efforts to help leverage small boroughs’ resources.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

This year, the primary falls on the Jewish holiday of Passover. As a Jew, I worked hard to try to change the date of the primary so that it would not disenfranchise anyone based on their religion, but ultimately I failed. We must work harder to ensure that scheduling issues known far in advance do not harm voting rights. We must also make it as easy as possible to vote, so that small mistakes on mail-in ballots do not disqualify votes and so that people can leave work to vote in person if they choose.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

We attempted to work on this last year and failed, so right now the legislation I am focused on will be the budget bill. We just finished up education budget hearings yesterday on Appropriations and I am encouraged to see the increased state investment in school districts with lower incomes and property values, but it is not enough. Once we get through the budget period for this year, it is time to tackle the larger structural issue anew on a caucus level, and new legislation will be developed to do so. I look forward to working with our Education Chair and our leadership to accomplish that goal.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

I support maintaining the right to choose, but that right is meaningless if people do not have the ability to pay for their reproductive healthcare choices. Abortion is healthcare. We must therefore ensure that people have affordable or free access to healthcare in PA.

Ashley Comans

County: Allegheny

Occupation: Non-Profit Manager

Education: Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Media Arts and Communications Studies

Qualifications: Working Mom, Current Wilkinsburg School Board Director, Progressive political organizer, and advocate for addressing maternal and child health outcomes

Contact: ashleycomans.com | www.instagram.com/ashleyrcomans/ | facebook.com/AshleyRComans

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

The biggest priority should be making life easier for poor and working families because I believe a rising tide lifts all boats. This is connected to all of the struggles that residents in my district know. For me, it means fairly funding our public schools, taking on corporate polluters, investing in clean air and water, and expanding the power and wages of workers. I know that all of these are fights and will require someone who uses this office as an organizing space both in the community and among fellow representatives and other elected officials. We need to bring more people in and engage with them to move the priorities of their community because we have the numbers to win all of these things–we just need to get organized.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

I believe that our right to vote is sacred. Voting and registering to vote needs to be made easier and not harder. I applaud our new Allegheny County Executive bringing back voter drop boxes; we should expand them to be available all around the state. I furthermore support automatic voter registration for those who turn 18. I also would push Pennsylvania to join the 11 other states who have already made election days holidays.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

The court ruling that we are not funding our public schools to our required and equitable amount may be new, but the case was filed in 2014, and this issue goes back even further. We must follow the court’s ruling and increase the state’s investment for our public schools by $200 million a year. In addition, we must recognize the years of disinvestment in our schools and begin to remedy it with hundreds of millions more a year invested over a period of time to update our facilities. Property taxes must not be the only way of funding our public schools because our zip codes should not determine our opportunities.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

The overturning of Roe v Wade is one of the most traumatic political events I, and many others, have experienced. In Western PA, we are a beacon for women and birthing people in other states who need or want an abortion. As a state legislator, I will work to enshrine abortion protections into our state constitution and legislate the appropriate amount of resources for those seeking an abortion - because abortion is healthcare. And as a mom of a young daughter, I will use all of my energy, power, and strength to fight until abortion is legal and safe across the county.

District 35 - Democrat

Matthew R. Gergely

County: Allegheny

Contact: facebook.com/matt.gergely

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 36 - Democrat

Jessica Benham

County: Allegheny

Contact: benhamforpa.com | facebook.com/BenhamforPA

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 37 - Democrat

John George

County: Lancaster

Occupation: Education Executive

Education: I earned a Doctorate and Master of Education degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, and I possess a bachelor’s degree in education and special education from The George Washington University. I completed postdoctoral studies in education policy at Temple University.

Qualifications: With over forty years of education leadership experience, I have worked effectively with Republicans, Democrats, and Independents in Harrisburg and Washington, DC to improve the lives of children and adults. I also served as chief executive officer of organizations with over $200 million budgets.

Contact: johngeorgeforpa.com | instagram.com/JohnGeorgePA/ | www.facebook.com/JohnGeorgeForPA/

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

A dysfunctional state government can make it incredibly challenging to achieve anything. Because of partisan bickering, the present legislature is considered to be one of the most ineffective in decades. We must recognize that both political parties have ideas with merit. I promise to listen and respect differing viewpoints and work in a bipartisan way to create solutions for the people.

There’s also a worrying trend of limiting women’s freedoms. It’s crucial to safeguard women’s right to make decisions about their reproductive healthcare. I will oppose any attempts to restrict women’s autonomy in healthcare decision-making. I will support legislation that increases access to medical experts specializing in reproductive healthcare.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

An effective democracy relies on the participation of its citizens; therefore, policies should be enacted to encourage voting rather than discourage it. I endorse legislation that would make primaries open to independent voters. I would work towards legislatively enacting automatic voter registration. To accommodate the schedules of all voters, I support the idea of early voting days. Additionally, I would allocate resources to ensure robust cybersecurity measures are in place to protect voter registration databases and election infrastructure from cyber threats. Lastly, I would increase funding to local election offices to allow them to hire and train staff, upgrade technology, and implement more stringent security measures.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

I support legislation to enact the recommendations made by the Basic Education Funding Commission. The Report calculates funding adequacy targets for every school district; the legislature needs to honor its funding obligations. I will support increased funding for children with disabilities. The failure of the state to fund special education has resulted in local school boards having to raise property taxes. We can afford to make these investments by putting an end to the practice of diverting funds from public schools to for-profit private companies. The funding formula for cyber charter schools is responsible for shifting millions of tax dollars to for-profit private enterprises. Profiting off the education of children is unacceptable.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

Accessing reproductive health services is legal. Unfortunately, the legislature has made the process difficult. As an advocate for reproductive rights, I will work to reinforce and strengthen laws that enable individuals to safely access sexual and reproductive healthcare facilities. I would promote scientific education about reproductive health and put a stop to the use of public funds to spread misinformation. I support legislation that protects physicians from making appropriate treatment decisions based on a patient’s reproductive medical condition. I firmly oppose any government action that interferes with a woman’s ability to control her healthcare decisions; personal medical decisions should not be subject to government interference.

District 37 - Republican

Mindy Fee

County: Lancaster

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 38 - Democrat

Anthony J. Olasz

County: Allegheny

Occupation: LAW CLERK

Education: Juris Doctor- Northern Kentucky University Chase College of Law/B.A. University of Cincinnati (Criminal Justice, Legal Studies)

Qualifications: My Law School Degree gives a wide variety of knowledge on all aspects that the Law and how governance plays into the life of everyday citizens. 3 Years Experience working in Municipal Law and School Law. B.A. in Criminal Justice and a minor in Legal Studies.

Contact: olaszforpa38.net | facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555538941882

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

Building up a better infrastructure is not only key to maintain safer roadways and bridges but also a major key in building a stronger economy. I believe that infrastructure is also the unimpeded flow information and access to that information. We must continue to invest in our schools, both primary and secondary education, as well as our trade schools. As has been seen in the past year, our state has unconstitutionally underfunded our children. We need to focus on giving our children the best opportunity to thrive and grow as they become young adults, and that starts in the classroom. Born and raised in the Mon Valley I know exactly how important US Steel is in our area. 3000 workers go to work everyday. The proposed sale threatens Jobs.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

We must explore all avenues possible to ensure that every citizen has their voice heard on election day. The right to vote is a pillar of our society and one that must not be infringed. Instead of restricting voters access to that voice, we must explore options to get our citizens voices heard in the safest way possible.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

To ensure a fair and equitable opportunity for all students we must be more vigilant to make sure that all children have and equal and fair opportunity to not only just receive an education, but a great education. We do not tell a team in a football game that one team has to go 120 yards to score a touchdown and the other team only has to go 60 yards. The playing field must be leveled for every student in the Commonwealth and any legislation that levels that field I will support.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

I am a staunch supporter of women and women’s rights. The Commonwealth has been the pinnacle for protecting women’s rights to access the critical care that they may need. We must continue to fight for women and continue to show the other states around the United States that we In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will do everything possible to protect our Women.

Victoria Schmotzer

County: Allegheny

Occupation: Policy Analyst

Education: The Catholic University of America - M.S., Business, Busch School of Business & B.A., Philosophy, St. Thomas Aquinas School

Qualifications: United States Small Business Administration Human Resource Specialist, US Govt. Level 5 Security Clearance; Teacher - Early Childhood Development; Legal Intern for Pittsburgh Law Firm; Staff Auditor for CPA Firm; Wrote & Published 9 News-Based Blogs; Restaurant Server

Contact: votersforvictoria.com

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

Pennsylvanians in the 38th District and surrounding communities face an ongoing issue of small businesses moving away from the area and taking well-paying jobs with them. I will incentivize businesses to come to our district by using my knowledge from the U.S. Small Business Administration and power within the State House to administer low-interest rate loans and rezone critical areas in the neighborhoods to be more accommodating. I will also work with the community college in the district to incentivize residents to further their career prospects and build a better future for our residents.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

The first thing the state can do when it comes to voting access and security is to continue funding county election departments so that they have the necessary resources to facilitate fair and impartial elections. Next, with an influx of residents who speak and read different languages, it is essential to accommodate these different needs. Funding should be prioritized to provide translation devices and literature at polling places.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

I will only support legislation that fixes the broken system that currently funds our schools. This legislation needs to be fair and on solid footing that ensures each community of every means receives its due share. However, every community is different, just like every school and every student. This is why I support funding allowing every student to receive an Individual Education Plan. These plans will ensure that the students, teachers, and guardians remain on the same page regarding the child’s educational path.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

The first step to protecting the right to family planning is writing it into the state constitution. I will then eliminate the 24-hour waiting period for people seeking medical treatment. A thorough conversation between them and their medical provider is sufficient to determine all options and if they are there of their own free will. The inconvenience of taking additional time away from their responsibilities and spending time and finances on travel will deter vulnerable populations from making the right decision for them. I will also offer a robust sexual education program throughout my district that encompasses all ages and appropriate topics.

John Inglis

County: Allegheny

Occupation: Educator

Education: I have a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Duquesne University and a Master’s degree in School Counseling from Westminster College.

Qualifications: Public Educator (2009 - Current), West Mifflin Borough Councilman (2018 - Current), South Hill Area Council of Government Member (2018 - 2022), West Mifflin Community Foundation Board Member (2014-2018) & Council Liaison (2018 - Current)

Contact: inforinglis.com | www.instagram.com/inforinglis/ | facebook.com/InForInglis

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

Education, providing jobs, and keeping our community safe. Education is the root of all opportunity. Right now, our public schools are being unlawfully underfunded here in Pennsylvania. My first priority is fixing that budget gap. After we fund our schools, we must make sure that our community has good paying jobs. The best way we can do that is to expand the union way of life. Organized labor built Allegheny County, and we have to support it. Finally, to keep our community safe we need to better support our first responders. Our local volunteer fire departments are seeing some especially challenging circumstances right now. They need state help and investments.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

I think we have made a lot of progress in recent years, but there is still work to do. First, I would enact same day voter registration. Arbitrary deadlines should not stop our citizens from participating in elections. A person should be able to register and vote all on the same day. Second, I would make sure the state is providing adequate resources to county election departments. Local budget shortfalls should never be allowed to harm the security of our elections. Finally, I would look into legislation to crack down on threats made against election officials. No one should be able to intimidate the hardworking men and women who make our Democracy work.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

I am in support of the proposed Pennsylvania constitutional amendment to change our state income tax to a progressive format, making it more fair and equitable. This will benefit public education and help fill the funding gap. We also should be willing to tap into the rainy day fund. The fund currently sits at a massive 6.1 billion dollars. We can’t use all of that to address the education shortfall, but it is the public’s money and the education of our children should be one of the state’s top priorities.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

There must be an explicit guarantee for the right to an abortion in Pennsylvania law. Preferably, this would come in the form of a constitutional amendment, but failing that, legislation should be passed to the same effect. We are fortunate that our current state court system leans towards recognizing the right to an abortion, but as we saw on the federal level, the courts may fail in the future to uphold that right. We also must make sure that no Pennsylvanian or other American will be punished by other states for exercising their rights here in the Commonwealth.

District 38 - Republican

Stone Sobieralski

County: Allegheny

Contact: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088815441296

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 39 - Democrat

Angela Girol

County: Allegheny

Occupation: Teacher - School Board Member

Education: Bachelor of English degree from St. Vincent College; Master of Arts in Teaching from Chatham College

Qualifications: Angela Girol has been a leader in the classroom since coming to Elizabeth Forward 17 years ago and recently received national recognition for her work. She has also worked in her community for the last five years, serving as a school board member in South Park.

Contact: angela4pa.com | | www.facebook.com/angela4pa

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

As a teacher and two-term school board member, I understands the problems facing everyday hardworking folks in the 39th District who often feel forgotten and abandoned by the political and economic elites.

Issues of Focus:

Good Government,

Reproductive Freedom,

Education,

Public Safety,

Environment,

Worker’s rights

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

I support laws to codify automatic voter registration, rank-choice voting, and open primaries.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

I fully support funding PA public schools at the state level by closing tax loopholes and breaks for the wealthy that cost PA $4.9 billion annually. Further, I would champion legislation to lower property taxes for the working class and seniors on fixed incomes.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

I would introduce a constitutional amendment to protect access to abortion I will always support FDA-approved contraceptive methods, and the implementation of evidence-based sexual health education programs.

District 39 - Republican

Andrew Kuzma

County: Allegheny

Contact: vote4kuzma.com | facebook.com/vote4kuzma

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 40 - Republican

Natalie Mihalek

County: Washington

Contact: nataliemihalek.com | facebook.com/natmihalek

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 41 - Democrat

Brad Chambers

County: Lancaster

Occupation: Labor Administrator, managing contracts for a workforce of over 5,000 Union workers.

Education: Bachelor’s in English Language and Literature, Millersville University

Qualifications: Community Organizer, Former Borough Council Candidate, Democratic Committee Person

Contact: bradforpa.com | instagram.com/bradforpa | facebook.com/bradforpa

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

The most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians are affordable housing, accessible and affordable healthcare, and equitable funding for public education.

The housing crisis has reached alarming levels, requiring urgent action through comprehensive housing policies to curb speculative practices and promote affordable housing and mixed-income neighborhoods.

Our healthcare system, marked by exclusion, inefficiency, and price gouging, highlights the need for a single-payer system for affordability and accessibility.

Additionally, our school districts are underfunded by the state, relying heavily on homeowners to make up the deficit. It is crucial to ensure fair funding for our schools to provide quality education for all students.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

As a State Representative, I would support same-day voter registration at polling places on Election Day. I would also endorse legislation to make Election Day a legal holiday in Pennsylvania and ensure that essential workers have time off to vote. Additionally, I support expanding access to secure ballot drop boxes, which are already standard in many counties in PA. This would provide early voters with an alternative to mailing their ballots. Finally, I would oppose any attempt to disenfranchise marginalized communities through voter ID laws without providing free, easily accessible IDs to all eligible voters.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

I would review the Basic Education Funding formula to ensure that public schools in the 41st district and all of Lancaster County receive their fair share. I support legislation that reduces reliance on property taxes by correcting the funding disparity that currently allows Pennsylvania to pay 10% less into K-12 education than other states. It is essential to enhance transparency in the allocation of these funds and track their impact on student outcomes. This will enable us to accurately assess the damage caused by decades of inequitable funding and determine the best ways to support schools and students who are struggling as a result.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

All people should have the rights, freedoms, and opportunities to control their lives at the most basic level, including their bodies and their healthcare choices, and I would fight ANY attempt to take those healthcare choices out of the hands of individual Pennsylvanians and put them into the hands of lawmakers. We need to pass laws that respect, support, and empower people, ensuring that everyone has access to the care they need, including a full range of reproductive healthcare services and contraception options. I would support a single-payer healthcare system that fully covers reproductive healthcare and I would oppose any attempt to pass burdensome regulations designed to limit people’s reproductive choices.

District 41 - Republican

Brett R. Miller

County: Lancaster

Contact: millerforpahouse.com | facebook.com/MillerforPAHouse

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 42 - Democrat

Dan Miller

County: Allegheny

Occupation: Legislator

Education: JD, BS Secondary Education, BA History

Qualifications: Focus on public service, 11 years as a State Representative, currently serving as Majority House Whip, 14 years as a volunteer firefighter, previous township commissioner, Team Leader in AmeriCorps

Contact: votedanmiller.com | facebook.com/VoteDanMiller

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

Education and jobs are always the most pressing concerns. We need to make sure that our public education system works for every child, and we need to make sure that Pennsylvanians can see and build their futures here with family sustaining jobs. I will continue to push for state funding that balances out inequities typically found in student disability and mental health supports and food insecurity and technology gaps. And pushing for targeted state investment and partnerships that look to bring high quality jobs to PA, hopefully union and hopefully working with as much American-made products as possible.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

I would like to see more technology support to allow people with disabilities to vote in every polling center. I think expanding automatic registration would be positive and I think the state should offer greater financial support to counties to make sure that election workers are fairly compensated.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

I believe that this year’s upcoming state budget must take a big step forward in rectifying the inequality in our school funding that many of us have said has existed for years. It may take a couple of budget cycles to fully correct the system, but it is not acceptable for the state budget to ignore this.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

I have always supported Roe v. Wade and I do not believe that a woman or doctor should be at risk of prosecution for exercising their choice and profession. Codifying these long established rights would be something I would support.

District 43 - Republican

Keith J. Greiner

County: Lancaster

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 44 - Democrat

Hadley Haas

County: Allegheny

Occupation: Unemployed

Education: B.A. - Economics & Communications

Qualifications: Leadership - Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Founding Member - QV Strong, Former Chair - Friends of the Hearing Center at Children’s Hospital Pittsburgh

Contact: hadleyforpa.com | www.instagram.com/hadleyforpa?igsh=ZmllNXppNmhrdw== | facebook.com/people/Hadley-Haas-for-PA

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

Gun Violence - Investing in community violence intervention programs and common sense legislation are proven to curb firearm deaths and casualties, including suicide and school shootings.

Equity in Public Education - I support implementing the adequacy formula as recommended by the Basic Education Funding Commission and investing appropriately at the state level. I believe in the need to update the funding model for charter/cyber schools and to invest in facilities and teachers.

Retaining and attracting a younger population - In order to thrive, Pennsylvania must retain and attract young people. Safe, healthy communities, quality schools, and job opportunities will make Pennsylvania desirable in the years to come.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

I believe we need to make voting as accessible and inclusive as possible and that it is crucial to engage young people in the Democratic process. Some initiatives I would support include:

• Open primaries in Pennsylvania.
• Allowing eligible citizens to both register or change their registration status and cast a ballot on the day of a primary or election.
• Allowing 16 and 17 year olds to pre-register to vote.
• Allowing 17-year-olds, who will be 18 years old on or before the date of a General Election, to register and vote for candidates in the corresponding Primary.
• Simplified procedures for mail-in/absentee ballots.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

I support implementing the adequacy formula as recommended by the Basic Education Funding Commission and investing appropriately at the state level. I believe in the need to update the funding model for charter and cyber schools and to invest in modern facilities and incentives for teachers.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

I am concerned about the Dobbs decision and the impact it is having on women’s health around our country. As a result, I would support a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to an abortion.

District 44 - Republican

Valerie Gaydos

County: Allegheny

Contact: votevaleriegaydos.com | facebook.com/VoteValerieGaydos

District 45 - Democrat

Anita Astorino Kulik

County: Allegheny

Occupation: State Representative for the 45th District

Education: B.A. Duquesne University 1985, J. D. Duquesne University 1989

Qualifications: Lawyer, Former Township Commissioner (13 years), State Representative (8 years)

Contact: anitaastorinokulik.com | | facebook.com/profile.php?id=100058188155790

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

Infrastructure repair. We need to allocate sufficient resources. Fair and equitable education systems. We need to properly fund districts that do not have an adequate tax base. Protecting the innocent victims of domestic violence.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

Early voting should be implemented. We need to stop the attacks on proper mail-in voting.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

I have long advocated for proper funding. We need to work in a bipartisan manner to properly fund education to provide every student, in every district, appropriate educational opportunities.

District 46 - Democrat

Alex Taylor

County: Washington

Occupation: Unemployed

Education: University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown B.A. in Political Science

Qualifications: 5 years experience in Health Care, Degree in Political Science, Worked on several campaigns for candidates who believed in building up our communities.

Contact: www.alextaylorforstaterep.com | www.instagram.com/alextaylorforstaterep?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== | www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091747118030

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

Education and the Environment are two major issues I believe that Pennsylvanians face. Better-funded schools lead to a better-educated population, which leads to better opportunities for young people and could lower crime rates, I’d support legislation to better our current education system and would propose legislation to encourage higher learning. The Environmental issues we face can be dealt with by holding businesses, that operate, in the Commonwealth accountable for damage caused to our water and air by their operations, I will support and propose legislation to keep them accountable.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

I would support automatic voter registration for any Pennsylvania resident as soon as they turn 18, I’ll support legislation that would open our Primaries so that more of our citizens can take part in choosing the person who will be on the ballot in November. I’ll support legislation that creates a more secure voting booth, and I’ll support legislation that would provide local elections officials and their processes with the necessary man-power, and funds if needed to ensure election security and accessibility.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

I’d support legislation that fully and equitably funds schools across the Commonwealth and supports better pay for our educators who are often overworked and underpaid.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

I’d support an amendment to the state constitution to secure a woman’s right to choose in the Commonwealth. Short of that I’d support any laws that strengthen the rights of women when it comes to medical decisions involving their own bodies.

District 46 - Republican

Jason Ortitay

County: Washington

Contact: citizensforjasonortitay.com

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 47 - Republican

Joe D’Orsie

County: York

Contact: joedforpa.com | facebook.com/JoeDforPA

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 48 - Republican

Tim O’Neal

County: Washington

Contact: facebook.com/tim.oneal.397

This candidate has not completed the 2024 primary election voters’ guide.

District 49 - Democrat

Izzy Smith-Wade-El

County: Lancaster

Occupation: PA State Representative, HD-49

Education: Bachelor of Humanities and Arts (BHA), Carnegie Mellon University

Qualifications: Current State Representative, former Lancaster City Council President, former Vice Chair of the Lancaster County Democratic Committee, former Program Specialist with Lancaster County Homelessness Coalition.

Contact: izzyforlancaster.com | instagram.com/IzzyforLancaster | facebook.com/izzyforlancaster

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

The Commonwealth needs hundreds of thousands of new affordable housing units, which will require significant state investment, but will make life easier for families, especially woman-headed households with children, boost our economy, and decrease violence and instability. Through the PA Housing Finance Agency and The Department of Community & Economic Development, we can invest in both building new housing opportunities, and restoring thousands of blighted homes across the Commonwealth to a habitable condition. Further the Landlord-Tenant Act is decades old and needs adjustment to protect the rights of tenants and prevent unnecessary homelessness.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

No excuse absentee-balloting, or “mail-in” has been a huge step forward for the Commonwealth, but many people continue to be disenfranchised by the associated requirements.

PA election law should cease to treat a missing or inaccurate date, or envelope ordering, as a fatal defect for a ballot, further requiring that County Boards of election notify voters of any fatal defects and allow time for their correction.

Same-day voter registration is also an important frontier to advance ballot access for vulnerable communities, and I would support legislation which advances that goal.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

I would support a proposal that advances the twin demands of our constitutions, both equity and adequacy, that is, not merely that student education is funded fairly, but that it is funded fully.

Legislation budgeting that $5 billion dollars that our students are currently being deprived of, must be supported, but we also need to move a larger share of school funding to state responsibility overall, as opposed to the unfair and unpopular property tax-based arrangement we currently have.

Further, all schools which receive funding from the state must comply with state regulations, especially as regards non-discrimination and accessibility, and no scheme should be developed which siphons money from public education to private schools.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

First, we ought to make clear in law and Constitution that conduct enshrined in our privacy rights, e.g. terminating a pregnancy, personal relations, marriage equality is protected in the Commonwealth.

Further we would prevent any state funds, particularly Medicaid funds that flow through the Commonwealth, from being used for deceptive “crisis pregnancy centers,”

Finally, we ought to enshrine the Commonwealth as a reproductive health sanctuary state, ensuring that while states across the union attempt to ban abortion, IVF, and contraception, we do not share health data with or assist in the efforts of states who seek to criminalize their own residents who leave their states seeking this care.

District 50 - Republican

Bud Cook

County: Washington

Occupation: Commonwealth 50th District State Representative

Education: BS West Virginia Wesleyan College

Qualifications: 4 We the People - Cook

Contact: www.TEAM-Cook.com

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

Property Taxes, Total restructure of Commonwealth Funding

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

Repeal Act 77

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

Property Taxes, Total restructure of Commonwealth Funding

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

Pro Life

Stephanie Waggett

County: Greene

Occupation: Registered Nurse

Education: Community College of Allegheny County; Univ. of Phoenix

Qualifications: As a wife, mom, Registered Nurse and former gas generation plant administrator, I have the varied background to be a conservative we can be proud of here in Greene & Washington counties.

Contact: stephaniewaggett.com | facebook.com/stephanie.waggett5

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?

To continue to stand for limited government and fiscally sound policies. To safeguard our freedoms while remembering that with them comes responsibilities. To remind all that we believe in the dignity of work and the importance of personal accountability and that we reject the notion of a nanny state that seeks to dictate every aspect of our lives. To oppose reckless spending and burdensome regulations that stifle the economic growth we need to keep our kids here after they grow up. Instead let’s champion policies that promote our businesses and promote entrepreneurship and allow Pennsylvania to prosper, especially in our energy sector. Plus we recognize the importance of strong families.

What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?

Let’s promote all types of voting, both in-person and vote by mail. Creating a reasonable voter ID policy is also very important. All Pennsylvanians need to be confident that their votes matter. Our local election officials need to know that we owe them a great debt, and that we appreciate their service and dedication.

What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?

It’s too soon to say for sure what types of changes to make. But let’s make sure we don’t continue to just throw more money into a broken system.

What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?

I am proudly pro-life. It’s important that we encourage more women to choose life. With advances in science since our abortion laws were written more than 30 years ago, I think it would make sense to review the exceptions we currently have and see if we can adjust them to better reflect today’s scientific norms, all in an effort to promote life.