      2020 VOTERS GUIDE

INSIDE | DETAILS ON CASTING YOUR BALLOT  CANDIDATE PROFILES AND PLATFORMS 2 OCTOBER 21, 2020 LNP | LANCASTER, PA Voting in this year’s election

The 2020 general election is on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voting in person begins at 7 a.m. and polls close 13 hours later at 8 p.m. Here’s what you need to know about voting:

What’s the deadline for applying for a mail-in ballot? The deadline for registering to vote has passed, but Tuesday, Oct. 27, is the deadline for applying for a mail-in ballot. The request must be received by the county elections office by the end of business hours on that date. Pennsylvanians no longer need an excuse to request a mail-in ballot. Apply at VotesPA.com or call the county elections office at 717-299-8293. The Lancaster County Elections Office also has a mail-in FAQ posted on its website at bit.ly/3lGuCFd.

How can I find my polling place? If your regular polling place has moved, the county elections office will notify you of the new location; it’s also posted online here: bit.ly/3nrShL0. If you still have questions about your polling site, call the Lancaster County Elections Office at 717-299-8293.

FILE PHOTO How do I turn in my mail-in ballot, and when? Mail-in ballots must be received by the county open until 8 p.m., and on Election Day, Nov. 3, the To do so, bring the mail-in ballot — all of it, including elections office by Friday, Nov. 6 — and the ballot lobby and the Election Office will be open from 7 a.m. the return envelope and the envelope it arrived in must be postmarked by 8 p.m. Election Day. until 8 p.m. — to your polling location and ask to cast a regular And keep in mind: Only you can drop your ballot off, ballot. If you do not have your ballot, you may vote If you plan to mail your ballot, we recommend putting provisionally at your regular polling station. it in the mail at least seven days before Election Day so don’t plan to hand deliver all the ballots from your to ensure it arrives on time. household or even those of your neighbors or other family members. You can deliver your ballot in person to a dropbox Is there a straight-ticket box on the ballot this year? located in the lobby of the county building at 150 What if I change my mind on the mail-in ballot? Can I No. Starting this year, ballots no longer include a box N. Queen St. The lobby is open weekdays during still vote in person? allowing a voter to select all of one party’s candidates business hours. But starting Wednesday, Oct. 28, Yes. If you request a mail-in ballot but it doesn’t arrive with one mark. This means you will need to go through through Friday, Oct. 30, the lobby will be open until 8 before Election Day, or you don’t think it will arrive in the entire ballot and make a selection in every race you p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 31, the lobby will be open from time if you mail it in the last days before Nov. 3, you want to cast a vote in. You can see your sample ballot 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Monday, Nov. 2, the lobby will be can still vote in-person. at http://vr.co.lancaster.pa.us/sampleballots.

INDEX

11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT PROFILE 3 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 97TH HOUSE DISTRICT 13TH SENATE DISTRICT PROFILE 4 MORE 41ST HOUSE DISTRICT PROFILE 5 3 Staunch conservative Rep. Lloyd Smucker faces 6 The race covering Lititz and Manheim ONLINE 9TH HOUSE DISTRICT PROFILE 6 young progressive Sarah Hammond in the race for Township is a rematch between incumbent To read the stories CANDIDATE QUESTIONS 7-16 the congressional district that covers Lancaster state Rep. Steve Mentzer and Dana Hamp in this Voters Guide County and the southern part of York County. Gulick. translated into Spanish, visit LancasterOnline. com/lavoz. 13TH SENATE DISTRICT CANDIDATE QUESTIONS For full coverage of 4 In the most competitive race in the county, state Sen. 7-16 Those running in the Congressional and the general election, Scott Martin hopes to hold his seat against Lancaster state legislative races answer questions including real-time vote totals, analysis and city Councilmember Janet Diaz. about their platform, the state of politics breaking news, visit and priorities for office. LancasterOnline.com/ 41ST HOUSE DISTRICT election. 5 State Rep. Brett Miller is focusing on pension reform; For how-to video of the his challenger, Michele Wherley, is concentrating her NOTE: Incumbents in the 43rd, 96th, 100th and 128th mail-in balloting process, bit.ly/ballotvideo. platform on boosting the minimum wage. House districts do not have challengers this year. LANCASTER, PA | LNP OCTOBER 21, 2020 3

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Staunch Trump supporter faces young progressive in race for Congress GILLIAN MCGOLDRICK [email protected] CANDIDATE QUESTIONS should pass the House Democrats’ proposal, which Smucker and Hammond answer questions is a $2.2 trillion package to provide states and busi- The two candidates running for the 11th Con- about priorities, partisanship and platform, Page 7 nesses additional dollars, reinstate the $600 unem- gressional District present a study in contrasts. ployment benefit and add another round of $1,200 Republican Rep. Lloyd Smucker, running for a stimulus payments to every taxpayer and more. third term, is in many ways the quintessential south- health insurance from employment and create a Smucker voted against this legislation and said he central Pennsylvania politician. Before winning his universal health care system. Under such a system, believes the Paycheck Protection Program should seat in 2016, the 56-year-old incumbent was a state she said she believes it would not initially be fea- be renewed to help businesses and that Congress senator; before that, a drywall business owner. sible to get rid of private insurance, but that would should remove regulations that restricted how His opponent, Sarah Hammond, hails from the be a long-term goal. funds in the first coronavirus stimulus package can other side of the Susquehanna River, where she is During his second term in Congress, as part of be used, a step he said would allow states to use the a field hockey coach in the York County town of the House Committee on Education and Labor, money to fill revenue holes. Hanover. She likens herself to U.S. Rep. Alexandria Smucker focused much of his time on workforce Smucker said he believes the path to recovery Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest member of Congress, development and higher education. Addition- is to through cutting taxes and minimizing gov- an outspoken progressive and a leading proponent ally, he said he is most proud of passing legisla- ernment overreach. He said he experienced the of the “Green New Deal.” tion to designate Lancaster and York counties as “American Dream” as he grew up in a family of 12 The 11th District was redrawn in 2018 and includes part of the Susquehanna National Heritage Area. siblings, paid his way through private high school the entirety of Lancaster County and the southern Another bill he introduced and that later became then started his own drywall business. part of York County. Smucker won that year’s race law provides additional mental health resources “I support a free enterprise system that empow- against Democrat Jess King by 18 percentage points, to active duty military and veterans. ers people, which is quite a contrast, not only to despite record-breaking fundraising and grassroots Smucker has remained a staunch supporter of my opponent, [as] we literally in Congress have outreach efforts by the King campaign. President Donald Trump, despite criticism of his ad- elected members of Congress who call themselves The Cook Political Report rates the district a solid ministration’s handling of the coronavirus response socialists,” Smucker said. “I think it would just be a Republican seat, with a plus-14 partisan voting index. and during the impeachment process. He supported terrible mistake.” Despite the odds stacked against her, Hammond is Trump’s positions on legislation 95% of the time, ac- Hammond claims this characterization of her as a focusing on liberal policies, such as universal health cording to a FiveThirtyEight congressional tracker. socialist is a way to fearmonger to Smucker’s base. care, abolishing the Immigration and Customs En- Smucker said the president’s priorities are the “Lloyd Smucker has a history of calling anyone forcement agency and tackling climate change. same as his own: less government intrusion in tax- and anything he disagrees with a socialist,” Ham- “I’m an underdog in this county, and I under- payers’ lives, tax reform and saving jobs from mov- mond said. Though she’s “not one for labels,” Ham- stand that,” Hammond said, adding she believes ing overseas. mond insisted she is not a socialist. people in the district share the same struggles, such “Those coincided with the president’s agenda,” “In the same right he could call me a socialist, I as paying for health care and other basic needs. Smucker said. “I’ve gotten to know the president. could call him a fascist,” Hammond added. “I just Prior to getting involved in politics, Hammond I see how much he cares about the country, how want to have a representative who says what they was a factory worker for two years. She also ran un- much he cares and is willing to fight for America mean and then votes that way.” successfully in a 2019 special election for the 33rd and American workers and businesses.” Smucker’s characterization of her has been “det- Senatorial District in York, which Republican Sen. In early October, Congress halted negotiations rimental” to her and her staff, Hammond said. Doug Mastriano won. for an additional stimulus package to address the She said she and her campaign have received hate Hammond said the factory job took a toll on her continuing economic fallout from the COVID-19 mail comparing her to Adolf Hitler or telling her to body, which in turn informed her push to uncouple pandemic. Hammond said she believes the Senate leave the country. 4 OCTOBER 21, 2020 LNP | LANCASTER, PA Control of state Senate could hinge on 13th District outcome

GILLIAN MCGOLDRICK [email protected] afford that minimum out-of-pocket expense instead of paying thousands of dollars.” In the county’s most competitive race, first- During his first term in the Senate, Mar- term state Sen. Scott Martin faces Lancaster tin supported bipartisan legislation to re- city Councilmember Janet Diaz. duce prescription drug costs to residents by This district — which includes Lancaster eliminating the state’s “generic medicine gag city and the suburbs and rural areas compris- rule.” This rule had required pharmacists not ing the southern half of the county — began to tell a patient whether it would be cheaper trending in Democrats’ direction after Martin to pay out of pocket than use insurance or won four years ago. In 2018, for example, the switch to generic drugs. portion of Martin’s district that lies within the As of mid-September, Martin reported larger 11th Congressional District went nar- raising $212,000 for his campaign, including rowly for the Democratic candidate over the several large donations from other GOP sena- GOP incumbent, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker. tors’ campaigns. He spent nearly $150,000 on Democratic Party campaign committees campaign mailers and contributions to other see the 13th District as an opportunity to flip political committees, such as the Republican a GOP-held seat and help the party regain a [Scott Martin’s] first term in the Committee of Lancaster County. Senate majority. High interest and spending Senate ... focused on advocating Diaz has not filed campaign expenses since by both parties has resulted in a flood of direct June and is not required to submit another fil- mail advertising to district homes, as well as for students and young people. ing until Oct. 23, according to the Department TV advertisements and an aggressive paid so- These include a pediatric cancer of State. Her campaign declined to show LNP cial media campaign by Diaz. | LancasterOnline how much she has raised Diaz was the underdog winner in the June research tax credit, greater and spent since then. As of her last filing, Diaz primary over Craig Lehman, a moderate protections for sexual assault had raised about $5,000, but her campaign Democrat and a county commissioner. Leh- survivors in K-12 schools, said she has raised more money since, and the man was endorsed by the Lancaster County proof of that can be seen in her campaign’s ad- Democratic Committee, but Diaz won the and pushing to lift COVID-19 vertising and direct-mail blitz. party’s nomination with a campaign stressing restrictions. Despite significant policy differences, much more liberal positions. She would be the first of the race centers on Diaz’s claim that Martin Latina elected to the state Senate. does not understand what it’s like to struggle. During his first term in the Senate, much of Diaz said she grew up in a single-parent home the legislation Martin introduced focused on and knows what it’s like to be hungry or to advocating for students and young people. sleep on the streets. Martin’s response is that These include a pediatric cancer research tax he grew up poor as the oldest sibling of nine, credit, greater protections for sexual assault and he said his empathy for vulnerable popu- survivors in K-12 schools, and pushing to lift lations influences his views on policy. COVID-19 restrictions that prevent families The campaigns have exchanged multiple at- from attending school sporting events. The tack ads since the primary. Both candidates Pennsylvania Family Council also applauded said the other’s allegations — such Martin’s la- Martin in several campaign mailers for his beling of Diaz as a socialist who opposes law en- support of bans on transgender bathroom us- forcement (she noted that her family includes age and a bill he sponsored to prevent women several police officers), or Diaz’s assertion that from having an abortion on the basis of the Martin opposed improving the state’s health child’s potential Down syndrome diagnosis care system and did not support farmland (which was later vetoed by Gov. Tom Wolf). preservation (Martin is endorsed by the Penn- Diaz, an insurance registrar for stroke pa- sylvania Farm Bureau) — are unfounded. tients at Lancaster General Health, is a rela- “The people I serve know me; they know my tive newcomer to politics, running her first [Janet Diaz’s] progressive record, and they know I always put Lancaster campaign for city council just five years ago. platform includes creating a County first because it is my lifelong home Her progressive platform includes creating a and has given me every opportunity to suc- basic health care plan for all Pennsylvanians basic health care plan for all ceed in life,” Martin said. “I trust the people that includes better access to mental health Pennsylvanians that includes of Lancaster County to see through the ly- care and lower prescription drug prices. Her ing attacks from my opponent and her spe- preferred approach is to create a statewide better access to mental health cial interest backers who aren’t from our health insurance marketplace modeled on care and lower prescription drug community or even our state.” the Affordable Care Act and Ohio’s prescrip- tion drug price cost cap, she said. prices. Her preferred approach “The health care insurance industry is com- is to create a statewide health plicated, but it should be easy,” Diaz said. “For insurance marketplace. CANDIDATE QUESTIONS the state, we have the power to get basic health Martin and Diaz answer questions about care where people can go to the doctors and priorities, partisanship and platform, Page 8 LANCASTER, PA | LNP OCTOBER 21, 2020 5 Pension reformer versus minimum wage booster in 41st House District

GILLIAN MCGOLDRICK [email protected] “We don’t have to reinvent the wheel; we just have to make the Three-term Republican Rep. political decision to do it,” Wher- Brett Miller faces Democratic ley said about raising the mini- challenger Michele Wherley in a The voice mum wage. rematch for the 41st House Dis- Miller also said he supports a trict this fall. of every “responsible increase” in Penn- Wherley, a human resources Pennsylvanian sylvania’s minimum wage, but manager from Lancaster Town- noted that just 2.3% of the state’s ship, lost to Miller in 2018 by 7 needs to be workforce earns minimum wage; percentage points. Democrats represented he did not say what increase he have since registered more vot- would support. ers in the district, which is made through the Wherley said her broad pro- up of many suburban communi- deliberations fessional background as a hu- ties surrounding Lancaster city of the General man resources manager makes — but Republicans outnumber her a better fit to represent the Democrats by more than 7,000 Assembly. district. She describes herself as registered voters. — Rep. Brett Miller a “generalist” who can develop In the June primary, Miller relationships and utilize her re- won the Republican nomination sources. over Brad Witmer, a Landisville “There are a lot of functions in truck driver, with 84% of the my current job that I would do vote. as a state representative,” Wher- Miller, who worked in public ley said. “Speaking as a woman,

education for 26 years before FILE PHOTOS I think that we are natural col- running for office, has focused laborators, we are pragmatic. We much of his time on education- are more willing to go across the related issues and on reforming aisle and look for commonsense Pennsylvania’s two public pen- solutions to a problem.” sion systems for state workers Miller stood with the rest of the and public education employ- We don’t have GOP caucus this year in challeng- ees. He worked with Democratic to reinvent ing Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 Treasurer Joe Torsella to ad- the wheel; restrictions on business activity. dress the $70 billion in combined “Clearly, governing a state as unfunded liabilities and advocat- we just have large and diverse as Pennsylvania ed for the state to consolidate in- to make the requires more input than just the vestment operations and to test decisions of one person,” Miller the investment strengths annu- political said. “That is why the voice of ally, among other reforms. decision to every Pennsylvanian needs to be If re-elected, Miller said he represented through the deliber- would continue this work and do it. ations of the General Assembly.” reintroduce legislation requir- — Michele Wherley, on Wherley also criticized the ing the state pension systems to raising the minimum wage Wolf administration’s COVID-19 report fees, so taxpayers know response, saying she believed how much is being paid to money schools required more guidance. managers and whether the in- But she said Wolf is “doing his vestments are profitable. best in an almost impossible situ- “The people of Pennsylvania ation.” need to know what these fees Additionally, the candidates are, and steps need to be taken disagree on whether the state to correct any contract that puts should legalize recreational our pension plans in a weakened CANDIDATE QUESTIONS marijuana. Miller said he’s seen financial position,” Miller said. Miller and Wherley answer questions about priorities, partisanship and marijuana used as a gateway Miller said he also would con- platform, Page 9 drug to more addictive drugs tinue to advocate for property during his time as a counselor tax relief and noted he has sup- at Philhaven Hospital and that ported several property tax re- homeowners. incrementally raising the minimum legalizing it recreationally would form measures in the House that Wherley is running on the same wage to $15 an hour, equitably fund- detrimentally impact citizens’ were never voted on in the Sen- policies she did in 2018 — with the ing public schools in Pennsylvania health. Wherley said she believes ate, such as one to reduce prop- addition of COVID-19 response pro- and protecting Lancaster County’s it should be legalized, taxed and erty taxes by 30% to 40% for all posals — ranking her top issues as land heritage. regulated. 6 OCTOBER 21, 2020 LNP | LANCASTER, PA

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A rematch in district covering Lititz and Manheim Township GILLIAN MCGOLDRICK [email protected] CANDIDATE bursements and said he advocated citizen-led commission to lead redis- QUESTIONS for personal protective equipment to tricting, while Mentzer said he sup- Steven Mentzer began represent- be made available to nursing homes ports the approaches used in Wash- ing the 97th House District in 2013, Mentzer and Hamp Gulick answer at the epicenter of the coronavirus ington and Maine where nonpartisan questions about priorities, partisanship focusing his attention on fiscal re- and platform, Page 10 hotspots in Lancaster County. commissions draw the districts with sponsibility, cutting government reg- Both candidates support fixes to little legislative oversight. ulations and improving health care. the fair funding formula for public Hamp Gulick said she is running The Republican lawmaker, in his schools. Created in 2016, the formula because she believes Mentzer has race for a fifth term, is facing Democrat of community-specific solutions like changed the equation to more equita- been “quiet” and “ineffective” as a Dana Hamp Gulick, who’s campaign- SecondChance PA, which helps steer bly distribute state education spend- lawmaker. ing on progressive policies including some addicts to treatment programs ing. But the formula applies only to Mentzer called that attack a “false- a $15 minimum wage and expanding instead of jail, and her support for state education spending growth af- hood made by a desperate candi- access to affordable housing. reducing criminal penalties for low- ter 2016, meaning only a portion of date,” noting his hundreds of events Like most of Lancaster County, the level drug possession. total state spending on schools is run in the community. 97th House District, stretching north “I’ve lived it,” Hamp Gulick said. through the formula. “As for being ‘quiet’ — you don’t along Highway 501 from the edge of “I know what (addiction) can do to Mentzer supports changing the fair need to be loud to be effective; in Lancaster city through parts of Man- people. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able funding formula to “correct the in- fact, sometimes it impedes progress heim Township and past Lititz, is a to get him the help he needed. It’s equality of funding for schools,” but because it casts you as a wild-eyed Republican stronghold. Democrats out there, and we need to make it did not offer a specific plan. Hamp partisan rather than someone willing made some gains here over the past more readily available.” Gulick said she supports putting all to work across the aisle and achieve four years, picking up about 2,000 Hamp Gulick supports raising the dollars through the fair funding for- results as I have done,” Mentzer said. voters, while Republican registra- minimum wage to $15 per hour “as mula, instead of just new money. If all Hamp Gulick said she fully sup- tions fell by about 600. soon as possible.” Mentzer said he money is immediately redistributed ports actions by Gov. Tom Wolf Those gains weren’t enough to help also supports raising the wage, as long through the fair funding formula as and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Hamp Gulick when she challenged as the increase is not “so dramatic that Hamp Gulick suggests, it would redis- Levine to restrict business activity Mentzer in 2018; she lost to Mentzer it would cost job losses or suppress job tribute $1.17 billion from 357 school during the COVID-19 epidemic, say- by 8 percentage points. Democrats say creation, particularly for young first- districts — many of which are located ing the state should “continue to fol- their 2019 takeover of the Manheim time workers who make up 60% of in rural areas — to the 143 most disad- low the science.” Township council suggests Hamp Gu- those earning minimum wage.” vantaged districts across the state. Mentzer, on the other hand, said lick has a better chance this fall. During his four terms, Mentzer Both candidates support changing he believes Wolf’s initial actions Hamp Gulick, a single mom and has prioritized issues important to the way Pennsylvania draws its con- were necessary, but he believes the domestic violence survivor, said she seniors. As a member of the House gressional and state legislative bound- governor’s actions since the first believes she’s uniquely positioned to Aging and Older Adult Services com- aries. Lawmakers draw the lines and month of the epidemic are troubling help families stay “safe, healthy and mittee, he is one of several lawmak- approve them, making the process “due to a lack of transparency and thriving,” which is her campaign slo- ers who attempted to reform the ripe for gerrymandering favoring unwillingness to work together with gan. Her ex-husband has a substance long-term care system in Pennsylva- the party in power, which is what led the Legislature.” Neither candi- use disorder he developed following nia prior to the pandemic. He intro- to the state Supreme Court striking date said whether they believe Wolf a work accident. That experience in- duced legislation to include assisted down the congressional map in 2018. should enjoy unchecked emergency formed Hamp Gulick’s endorsement living programs in Medicaid reim- Hamp Gulick supports installing a declaration powers. LANCASTER, PA | LNP OCTOBER 21, 2020 7 11th Congressional District n The District: Lancaster was formerly part of the 16th Congressional District, but redistricting ordered by the state Supreme Court in 2018 made it the central part of a new 11th District, with parts of rural southern York County included. The 11th is considered a solid Republican seat by the Cook Political Report. n Represents: Lancaster County and a portion of southern York County.

Candidate: Lloyd Smucker by Congress, we passed tax rebates seniors with the flexibility to enroll My name is Sarah Hammond, and I’m n Party: Republican. of $1,200 to individuals, provided in Medicare at a time that best fits running for Congress because Lancaster small businesses with cash-flow their needs, without the threat of a and York deserve a representative n Age: 56. assistance to keep their employees, burdensome and unnecessary financial who will actively show up and stand n Residence: West expanded unemployment benefits penalty. up for our people. As a small town Lampeter Township. and appropriated over $140 billion to woman with blue collar roots, I have support our health care systems. experienced the negative impact n Occupation: U.S. 4. Surveys show that partisanship is firsthand that partisan gridlock in House since 2016. Congress also funded state and increasing, and people of different local governments, our schools and Washington has created for families like Formerly state senator political views are growing less yours and mine. and drywall business universities, and the U.S. Postal Service. trustworthy of one another. How will owner. From the beginning, I prioritized the you seek to build bridges to voters For far too long, our congressman, readiness of our health care systems Lloyd Smucker, has brushed off the n Education: Attended who don’t support you or share your across the district and data-driven views? concerns, thoughts and needs of our Franklin & Marshall College and metrics for preparedness. district. Our economy wasn’t working Lebanon Valley College but did not Every month, my offices handle an Supporting our health care systems for nearly half of our people nationwide complete a degree. average of 103 individuals to help before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now included investment in therapeutics and navigate governmental agencies and n Family: Wife Cindy, daughters Paige vaccine research and helping our local nearly seven months in, the deliberate and Regan, and son Nicholas. processes. We have returned over $5.5 lack of action on stimulus to help out public health agencies to prevent and million to constituents from the IRS, respond to the coronavirus. We must our people and small businesses has left Social Security, VA and other agencies. us to bear that financial burden heavily continue to protect our seniors, who we Our office makes an impact every day 1. Why are you running? What is your know are the most vulnerable during here at home. pitch to voters? in our constituents’ lives regardless of the pandemic. Our hospital systems their political affiliation or views, and I That’s why my team and I are running to I am running for Congress to rebuild the need to prioritize their resources am very proud of that work. amplify the voices of our communities American Dream. I was born Amish. I available to care for infected patients whose daily lives teeter on the edge worked nights to pay for my education and daily operating tasks separate from We have welcomed groups regardless of financial stability. We’ve created a and was the first in my family to obtain COVID-19. of their views to our office to discuss platform that reflects the struggles and a high school education. After high their concerns and issues. I have concerns of our people, so that more of school, I purchased the business for personally met with hundreds of our families can prosper. $1,000 and grew it to employ over 150 3. Can you briefly describe what you constituents in-person or via Zoom at I believe in what we can accomplish people while taking college courses would do to address what residents their request, and I have visited over when our legislature begins to reflect at night. I got involved in government have told us are the issues they are 450 small businesses and community our diverse values, and I believe in you. because I believe everyone deserves the most concerned about: health care, organizations. Let’s win this fight — together. opportunity to achieve their American climate change and balancing the Additionally, I have worked in a Dream, a dream that I have been federal budget? Given the 200-word bipartisan manner on many issues fortunate to achieve. limit, you may choose to respond to a in Congress. I am a member of the 2. What are your priorities to help the In PA-11, many in our community have single topic instead of all three. Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of 26 district recover from the economic and achieved their dreams through hard In Congress, I have worked in a Democrat and 26 Republican legislators human toll the coronavirus pandemic work and individual responsibility. I was bipartisan manner to address our who work together to find legislative has taken? not raised to believe that government bloated spending and broken solutions. Recently our caucus came We need to create an equitable has all the answers, (or that) it should budgeting process, including together to end the partisan gridlock economy where people are not be the solution. That is the difference preventing government shutdowns. with an additional reasonable and struggling to make ends meet even between many of my colleagues in We must ensure that every cent paid well-targeted COVID-19 relief package. I during the best of times. Before the Congress and me. I support the free by the taxpayer is used efficiently and have taken a solution-focused approach pandemic, many families were one enterprise system and empowering effectively in Washington. in Washington to address the urgent medical crisis from financial ruin, and individual liberties so that people, not My actions were recently recognized needs facing millions of American our nation ended up suffering that crisis the government, can make decisions when I joined a bipartisan group of families and small businesses. collectively. While the COVID pandemic that affect their lives and families. It is 58 legislators to call on the House to has been largely unprecedented, it has an honor to represent our communities restore congressional accountability Candidate: Sarah Hammond also exposed known systemic flaws in in Washington, D.C., and I thank you for for decreasing the federal deficit our health care system the way 2008’s your continued support. through the budget reform goals of n Party: Democrat. financial collapse exposed known improved transparency, congressional n Age: 27. systemic flaws in our lending and accountability and responsibility. housing markets. 2. What are your priorities to help the n Residence: East district recover from the economic and I introduced the Government Shutdown Lampeter Township. In a period of mass unemployment, the human toll the coronavirus pandemic Prevention Act that would provide an need to uncouple health insurance from n Occupation: Field has taken? automatic continuing resolution for employment has become frustratingly any appropriations bill not completed hockey coach at obvious, but this need has been clear The key to rebuilding our community in before the end of the fiscal year to Hanover Area High for decades. Our patchwork system of the wake of COVID-19 is ensuring that end the senseless costs of government School. health care coverage has not been well- our families have access to good-paying shutdowns. n equipped to handle this pandemic, and jobs, and we must support our small Education: Slippery the need for a universal, comprehensive, businesses safely reopening. In the 11th On health care, I believe it is essential Rock University, single-payer system is evident. Congressional District, over 100,000 that every family have access to Bachelor of Arts in communication and jobs were retained through the COVID affordable health care and the ability public affairs. Eliminating the expense of health pandemic because of the Paycheck to make choices for their care. I have n Family: Single. insurance and drastically reducing Protection Program and funding for our supported increasing access, expanding the cost of workers’ compensation small businesses to recover and reopen. choice and lowering costs for Medicare insurance would be one of the best for our seniors. I sponsored the Seniors 1. Why are you running? What is your ways to help small businesses grow In the COVID relief packages passed Health Care Choice Act to provide pitch to voters? 11TH DISTRICT, page 16 8 OCTOBER 21, 2020 LNP | LANCASTER, PA 13th Senatorial District n The District: Of all the legislative races in Lancaster County, this is the most competitive. This district, which covers suburban, rural and urban areas, saw Democrats out-perform Republicans in raw voter registration numbers since 2016, when GOP Sen. Scott Martin won the seat. In 2018, former Democratic congressional candidate Jess King received 88 more votes than U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker within the 13th Senatorial District. These trends prompted the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Campaign Committee to target the 13th this year as they seek to regain a Senate majority. But Republicans still outnumber Democrats inside the district’s borders by more than 13,000 registered voters. n Represents: Lancaster city; Bart, Colerain, Conestoga, Drumore, East Drumore, East Lampeter, Eden, Fulton, Lancaster, Leacock, Little Britain, Manheim, Manor, Martic, Paradise, Pequea, Providence, Sadsbury, Salisbury, Strasburg, Upper Leacock and West Lampeter townships; and Christiana, Millersville, Quarryville and Strasburg boroughs.

Candidate: Scott Martin (incumbent) moving and put people back to work, State System of Higher Education that 1. Why are you running What is your n Party: Republican. many of the challenges we face will I authored. For property taxpayers, I pitch to voters? begin to subside and the state will have have worked to relieve school districts n Age: 48. I’m running because Lancaster County the revenue necessary to provide help of costly unfunded mandates that drive is worth fighting for. I’m running n Residence: Martic where it is most needed. up property taxes, been a supporter because 22,000 children and 50,000 Township. Priority two must be using actual data of school property tax elimination for adults in Lancaster County don’t have to make decisions that allow a safe homeowners, and passed historic public access to health care — and those were n Occupation: pension reform to control costs. I’m Lawmaker. Previously return to a more normal life; this will the numbers before COVID-19. With 18 improve the mental and physical health also keeping my promise to refuse the years of experience in the health care a county commissioner pension and per diems. and employee at of Pennsylvanians. It will also allow industry, I have seen the system inside the Lancaster Youth those with other medical conditions to and out. I know how it works and how Intervention Center. receive the treatments they have been 4. Surveys show that partisanship is hardworking Pennsylvanians are being left behind. denied through much of this shutdown; increasing and people of different n Education: Millersville University, this will save lives. Bachelor of Arts in sociology and political views are growing less As a member of Lancaster City Council, criminal justice While the governor took initial steps trustworthy of one another. How will I’m an advocate for our community. that many understood due to the you seek to build bridges to voters I held the line on property taxes and unknown nature of the virus, recent who don’t support you or share your voted for commonsense police reforms, 1. Why are you running? What is your events in federal court prove that — views? including hiring a social worker in the unfortunately — much of what we were police department, that will make sure pitch to voters? I will do what I have always done: bring told about “data driven decisions” in the our officers have every resource they I am running to continue my record together people of different views, ensuing months was simply untrue. need to keep our communities safe. of bipartisan, effective service to the listen to their concerns and information, people of Lancaster County. In just Pennsylvania is too diverse for one- learn, and then work to build consensus. I know what it’s like to navigate a system my first term, I have brought together size-fits-all solutions; different areas While partisanship may be on the that is built for the powerful, and not for Republicans and Democrats to pass 19 are impacted differently by the virus. rise on the political front, I believe my the working families in our communities. new bills into law, including: increased We must safely restart wherever record proves I have been able to hold When my family and I first came to support for pediatric cancer research; possible, provide help to vulnerable it at bay legislatively; if not, I would not Lancaster, my mom found work at creation of the Safe2Say Program that populations, and — especially — build have been able to shepherd 19 pieces of minimum wage and we struggled as a helps keep kids safe at school; helping a coalition of residents, legislators, the legislation into law in my first term. result. Lancaster County deserves a state volunteer fire companies; increasing DUI medical community, the small business senator who understands the challenges I also believe that the media has, sadly, penalties for repeat offenders who cause community and others to make working families face every day. contributed greatly to the distrust of the death of another; and much more. transparent decisions. voters. Bias (and, yes, there is some on Throughout my entire life, I have been a I have also focused on the “big” issues: both sides) and agendas have replaced fighter and I’m ready to fight for you. protecting taxpayers by bringing much- 3. Can you briefly describe what you what was traditionally a presentation needed fiscal discipline to Harrisburg; would do to address what residents of facts that allowed voters to decide supporting education (basic, career and for themselves on important issues. 2. What are your priorities to help the have told us are the issues they are state recover from the economic and technical, and higher ed), working to most concerned about: health care, Social media — in which people never improve our health care system so it is have to look “outside their bubble” has human toll the coronavirus pandemic the state budget and school property has taken? more affordable and accessible; and, this taxes? Given the 200-word limit, you contributed as well. year, responsibly addressing COVID-19. may choose to respond to a single Throughout my career in public service, While we are still responding to the I am proud that in each of these areas I topic instead of all three. pandemic, we must ensure our health have achieved results. We have delivered I have believed deeply in the power of ideas and the necessity of all views care system is adequately supported record funding for education — so much Our first priority must be safely — something that would’ve been being allowed in the public square so that we helped ensure two years restarting our economy while following made easier if my opponent would — because it is through listening to a of no tuition increases at state-owned appropriate health guidelines. So many have approved a county department myriad of views that consensus can be universities. We have passed responsible of the challenges state government of health when he was a county found. This is something I will always budgets that focus on priorities without will face in the coming years will be commissioner. raising taxes. And when COVID-19 due to the economic impact of the continue to support. struck, we delivered emergency funding protracted shutdown. On the health For businesses and farmers, we must to health care providers and frontline care front, I have supported reforms to make grant programs and resources workers for needed supplies (like PPE), help make health care more accessible Candidate: Janet Diaz available and accessible so they can vital support for nursing and long-term and affordable, passed a law to better n Party: Democrat. recover as we plan to reopen safely. control prescription drug costs, On Lancaster City Council, I made care facilities, and expanded testing n Age: 54. across the state. and worked to eliminate fraud from economic development funding Medicaid to allow more Pennsylvanians n Residence: Lancaster available to businesses impacted by to get the coverage they need. city. COVID-19. 2. What are your priorities to help the On the fiscal front, I have supported n Occupation: Stroke We must ensure all our frontline state recover from the economic and responsible budgets that focus on secretary for Lancaster workers are protected and taken care human toll the coronavirus pandemic priorities like job creation and education General Hospital. of. This includes having adequate stock has taken? of PPE, paid sick leave, and livable without raising taxes. For education, we n Education: Attended Priority one must be safely and provided record funding — including wages. Our frontline workers are nurses Thomson Institute and and public safety professionals, but also responsibly restarting our economy a 41% increase for Thaddeus Stevens, Lancaster Bible College. while following appropriate health which helps people secure good jobs include food service workers. — and passed landmark reforms to the n Family: Husband Konstantin. guidelines. Once we get our economy 13TH DISTRICT, page 16 LANCASTER, PA | LNP OCTOBER 21, 2020 9 41st House District n The District: The 41st is mostly made up of suburban voters and is part of the county that has continued to diversify in recent years. This race is a repeat of 2018, with Democrat Michele Wherley challenging three-term Republican Brett Miller after losing to him by 7 percentage points two years ago. Although Democrats have seen some registration gains in the district, Republicans still outnumber Democrats by more than 7,000 voters. n Represents: Manor and Conestoga townships; portions of East Hempfield, West Hempfield, Manheim, and Lancaster townships; and all of Mountville Borough.

Candidate: Brett Miller (incumbent) service providers must be given the support. Only about 4% of the bills average is $36. If limited funding is n Party: Republican. necessary resources to enable them to passed along straight party lines. hindering our response to COVID-19, the meet the needs of many hurting people. administration should seek additional n Age: 59. Most would expect that those Economically, the toll has been percentages would be reversed. In fact, funds, and the General Assembly should n Residence: East devastating, as many of our businesses there is much collegiality, give-and-take, provide them. Hempfield Township. have closed their doors and 4.1 million friendly discussion and compromise If we want a stronger economic n Occupation: workers have filed for unemployment that occurs. recovery, we should get money into Legislator since 2015; compensation. Businesses must be Though there are at times differing the hands of people who will spend it. previously a school given adequate finances and flexibility viewpoints, I welcome all ideas, listen Middle class wages are stagnant; many guidance counselor for to remain solvent and regain solid carefully, extend respect to those who families are living paycheck to paycheck 26 years. footing. For the unemployed, my offer input, and work collaboratively — sometimes working multiple jobs office has and will continue to fight for and still not making ends meet. We n Education: Liberty to find ways to move Pennsylvania everyone who has yet to receive a dime forward. One example of this is my work must address the immediate challenges University, Bachelor of Science in of their unemployment compensation. these families face. We could do that by pastoral counseling; Liberty University, with Democratic State Treasurer Joe Finally, I will continue working with Torsella, with whom I am working to beginning to work toward achieving a Master of Arts in counseling; Millersville $15 per hour minimum wage. University, secondary school counselor my colleagues to pass legislation that advance pension fund fee transparency certification; Penn State University, allows employees to safely get back to legislation. It would be very helpful to receive secondary principal certification. work. None of us has all of the answers, and some federal relief in the form of a stimulus that invests in infrastructure. n Family: Wife Jennifer. our common goals are much greater than our differences. By working Pennsylvania could then utilize that 3. Can you briefly describe what you together, we can and will find solutions federal stimulus money for much would do to address what residents to the problems we face. needed infrastructure improvement 1. Why are you running? What is your have told us are the issues they are pitch to voters? projects, such as high-quality most concerned about: health care, broadband access. I am running because I want to use my the state budget and school property Candidate: Michele Wherley 26-year background in public education, taxes? Given the 200-word limit, you as well as my experience in local may choose to respond to a single n Party: Democrat. 3. Can you briefly describe what you government, to advance policies that topic instead of all three. n Age: 52. would do to address what residents benefit the people of the 41st District. During the pandemic, the majority n have told us are the issues they are I am running to protect taxpayers by Residence: Lancaster most concerned about: health care, of the calls to my office are from Township. fighting for property tax relief, finding people who are having problems the state budget and school property ways to control government spending, with Pennsylvania’s unemployment n Occupation: Human taxes? Given the 200-word limit, you and making sure government lives compensation system. resources manager. may choose to respond to a single within its means. topic instead of all three. Prior to COVID-19, property tax reform n Education: Central I will use my experience as a public was the number one issue that I heard Penn College, School property taxes go up because school educator to advocate for about. I have been working with my Bachelor of Science in Pennsylvania is failing to support public an education system that is fiscally colleagues to find ways to achieve communication. schools. We need to make sure that and academically strong, and one Pennsylvania puts more of its money meaningful property tax reform. I voted n Family: Husband Jim and son that provides expanded educational on the table rather than just yours. The for a bill which would have reduced Brandon. opportunities for students. property taxes for every homeowner by vast majority of kids in the 41st are Finally, I am running to continue 30-40%. This bill passed the House with educated in public schools, and we are advocating for policies that make bipartisan support but failed to advance 1. Why are you running? What is your doing them a disservice by not funding Pennsylvania a more welcoming place in the Senate. pitch to voters? education appropriately. for businesses and job creators to A recent legislative proposal that My campaign is focused on the We must fully adopt the Fair Funding locate, stay and grow, thereby creating would reduce property taxes by 50% issues that affect our neighbors Formula because it solves the dual even more prosperity and more family eventually leading to total elimination most: Economic security and living problems of underfunding of our sustaining jobs. was derailed due to COVID. I will wages, fully and equitably funding schools and the inequity of that continue advocating for property tax public schools from pre-K to college, funding. We should also stop funding reform, the passage of which will help and protecting our environment and outside cybercharter schools with 2. What are your priorities to help the Lancaster County land heritage. public dollars until these schools state recover from the economic and all our citizens — especially our seniors on a fixed income and our young are held to the same accountability human toll the coronavirus pandemic standards as our public schools. has taken? families who are getting established. 2. What are your priorities to help the We must prioritize the health of the state recover from the economic and people, help our businesses recover 4. Surveys show that partisanship is human toll the coronavirus pandemic 4. Surveys show that partisanship is and find ways to safely get our people increasing and people of different has taken? increasing and people of different political views are growing less back to work. I have voted to ensure political views are growing less COVID-19 is a cruel virus that spreads that our health care systems are strong, trustworthy of one another. How will trustworthy of one another. How will illness and death and creates chaos you seek to build bridges to voters our medical workers are properly you seek to build bridges to voters in our lives, with the impact falling equipped, and our hospitals are given who don’t support you or share your who don’t support you or share your unequally on our population. While it’s views? the necessary tools to meet the medical views? important to alleviate the economic needs of the community. While it is true that many believe there impact, we must first deal with public All of us are increasingly living and I have also voted for better oversight is an impassable divide between those health. Rapid testing, tracing and working within our own echo chambers, of our nursing homes to protect our who have different party affiliations, this isolation of persons with positive tests where our own views and ideas are seniors. From a mental health and drug is more perception than reality. Over the is critical and should be ongoing. constantly being reinforced. This is why I think it’s vitally important to interact abuse standpoint, the human toll of last two sessions, 96% of the bills that In Pennsylvania, we spend $13 per the shutdown has been dramatic. Our passed the House received bipartisan person on public health. The national 41ST DISTRICT, page 16 10 OCTOBER 21, 2020 LNP | LANCASTER, PA 97th House District n The District: The 97th is one of the most rapidly changing House districts in Lancaster County — although Republicans still exceed the number of Democrats in the district by nearly 10,000 voters. Republicans have lost approximately 600 voters, while Democrats picked up about 2,000 since 2018. This year is another repeat of 2018, like in the 41st House District, with Democrat Dana Hamp Gulick challenging four-term legislator Steve Mentzer for a second time. She lost to him by approximately 8 percentage points last election (about 4,000 votes). n Represents: Lititz Borough, Warwick and Manheim townships.

Candidate: Steve Mentzer (incumbent) unfortunately took recent federal court decisions transparently — and by opportunities in Manheim Township, n Party: Republican. actions to prove that the administration turning away from one-size-fits-all earning two college degrees at was not making decisions as it said it solutions that don’t work in a state as University of Pittsburgh, marrying and n Age: 64. was. It never should have come to that large and diverse as ours — we can starting a family, I moved to live in n Residence: Manheim … citizens should ALWAYS know how take the steps necessary to protect the paradise in Hawaii. Township. their government is working for them. health of our residents and give them That paradise soon became a nightmare back their lives and livelihoods. n Occupation: Maybe it is time to turn to a different when after a work injury and multiple Legislator since 2013. model: one of transparency and surgeries, my husband’s well-concealed Previously investment building coalitions. We must bring mental illness began to reveal itself, adviser, founder together all stakeholders — legislators, 4. Surveys show that partisanship is aggravated by multiple surgeries and and president of the small businesses, the medical increasing and people of different abuse of prescription opioid painkillers. nonprofit Central community, the education community, political views are growing less Eventually he became delusional and American Relief Efforts. residents and others — to make open trustworthy of one another. How will dangerous, forcing me to flee with my decisions based on real data. you seek to build bridges to voters n Education: Attended Elizabethtown young daughter, spending nine months Our first goal under this model must who don’t support you or share your in women’s shelters before being College as a business administration views? major but no degree. be restarting our economy in a safe flown back to Pennsylvania by a state n and responsible manner that protects Partisanship has always been a part program for survivors. Family: Wife Sally; children Lynn and our citizens and workers — because a of American politics, but the rise of Marc. When we arrived back in Manheim resurgent economy will help us address “activist journalism,” 24-hour news Township, we had just two suitcases so many of the challenges we face channels scrambling for ratings, and and each other. With the help of the today. social media has made it much worse. same public benefit programs many of 1. Why are you running? What is your Our second goal must be to safely What does this mean? It means that we us and our neighbors have relied on at pitch to voters? return life to normalcy. This step will must all work to reverse the trend. The one time or another when the bottom press must return to its traditional role I am running to continue to bring improve the mental and physical health falls out, I was able to rebuild my life of residents while also allowing people as a reporter of facts and events — not and now feel it is my responsibility to responsible and effective leadership agenda or narrative. And people must to the residents I serve. In Harrisburg, to once again get all the medical use my experience to help others. I am treatment they need. remember that you can disagree with running because I believe that every I will continue to focus on the issues respect. that make a positive difference to Finally, we must ensure that decisions family can and should be safe, healthy our community: fiscal discipline, like those — again, made in secret — I am thankful that, as state and thriving. education, economic growth, health that forced COVID-19 positive patients representative, I have been able to stem care and keeping our neighborhoods into nursing homes and long-term care this tide and achieve positive results safe. The fact is that, despite the facilities causing countless deaths, by listening to all views, researching 2. What are your priorities to help the increasingly partisan divide in our never happen again. differing opinions, and finding state recover from the economic and country, my record is one of bringing consensus with my colleagues (on human toll the coronavirus pandemic together Republicans and Democrats both sides of the aisle.) That is how the has taken? system is supposed to work, and it is to get results on these and other I think we need to look at the whole issues. 3. Can you briefly describe what you how I will continue to work if re-elected would do to address what residents — both because it is the right thing picture and ask ourselves what the During my time as representative, I have told us are the issues they are to do, and because it sets a positive needs are and how they intersect. have supported initiatives that provided most concerned about: health care, example. For small businesses, we need financial record funding for education, made the state budget and school property support to help businesses pay their our economy the strongest it has ever taxes? Given the 200-word limit, you basic expenses and to retrofit for safety been before the COVID-19 pandemic may choose to respond to a single Candidate: Dana Hamp Gulick and lenient unemployment standards to shutdown, protected taxpayers from topic instead of all three. n Party: Democrat. support employees out of work. massive tax increases, supported our law enforcement community, and While the issues mentioned are no n Age: 48. For working families, we can extend worked to make health care more doubt important, the number one issue n moratorium on evictions and I have heard from the people of the Residence: Manheim affordable. Township. foreclosures, extend unemployment 97th District is the absolute necessity to insurance, and institute and support This year, with the coronavirus hitting safely restart our economy and return n Occupation: family friendly policies as folks are our state, I have continued to work in life to as normal as possible. Advertising account forced to quarantine after exposures. the same manner and passed laws that supervisor. expanded coronavirus test reporting The fact is that the ongoing shutdown Lastly, we hear from everyone we talk across the state, supported our frontline — which, again, federal court action n Education: University to what a struggle affordable health workers and health care workers with proved was not nearly as “data driven” of Pittsburgh, Bachelor insurance is, and during this time with emergency funding for vital supplies, as we were told — has taken an of Arts in communication and rhetoric; folks losing their jobs and their health and provided increased support and intolerable toll on Pennsylvania. Bachelor of Arts in German language insurance with it, we know this is an oversight for nursing homes and long- Small businesses — the economic and literature. urgent need. term care facilities. engine of our state and largest n Family: Daughter Corinne. I am proposing the creation of a employers of our citizens — are dying. Medicaid buy-in program at the state Families who can no longer work are level tied to negotiated costs. This 2. What are your priorities to help the struggling to pay their bills and have 1. Why are you running? What is your helps in three primary ways: It’s a state recover from the economic and concerns about mental health and pitch to voters? public option not tied to employment. human toll the coronavirus pandemic quality education for their children. I am a working single mother, survivor It’s lower cost. For those who choose has taken? Retired seniors are tired of being of domestic violence and advocate not to buy in, it lowers costs through While Pennsylvanians understood early prevented from seeing loved ones. for families in our community. competition. measures taken to address COVID-19, it By building a strong coalition to make After growing up with a wealth of 97TH DISTRICT, page 11 LANCASTER, PA | LNP OCTOBER 21, 2020 11 129th House District n The District: The 129th lies mostly in Berks County, but the slice covering part of Lancaster County includes approximately 8,000 voters. The district borders Reading and is made up of much of the affluent suburbs surrounding the city. n Represents: East Cocalico Township and Adamstown Borough; Berks County (part).

Candidate: Jim Cox sons Cooper, 2, and Oliver, 4 We need bipartisan efforts that 3. Can you briefly describe defined by their ZIP code. (incumbent) months. balance people’s economic, what you would do to I would propose a few new n Party: Republican. physical and mental well-being address what residents have revenue streams for education to fully recover from COVID-19. told us are the issues they that would significantly lessen n Age: 51. 1. Why are you running? Small businesses unable to are most concerned about: the burden on our property What’s your pitch to voters? operate as they would under health care, the state budget n Residence: Spring Township, owners while ensuring all normal circumstances need and school property taxes? Berks County. I’ve been a government teacher schools have the resources for nine years. During that time government assurances that Given the 200-word limit, n Occupation: Legislator since they will not suffer needlessly you may choose to respond they need for children to be I’ve taught my students the successful. 2007; attorney. importance of getting involved during any occupancy or to a single topic instead of all n Education: Pensacola in their local communities capacity limitations. The small three. business relief is valuable and Christian College, Bachelor and that their government is Our current representative 4. Surveys show that of Arts in pre-law; Regent supposed to work for them. needs to be revisited as this continues to promise property pandemic persists. partisanship is increasing and University School of Law, juris Unfortunately, our current tax elimination with no results. people of different political doctorate. government and current Additionally, our most This complex issue affects real views are growing less n Family: Wife Kelly; children representative are not working vulnerable communities need people every day and needs trustworthy of one another. Dylan, Stephanie, Justin, for them. My opponent is to be protected. Mask-wearing to be addressed, not used as a How will you seek to build Andrew and Aaron. out of touch with the people needs to be enforced to sound bite for reelection. bridges to voters who don’t in his district and does not protect those with preexisting As a teacher and a homeowner, support you or share your represent their best interests. conditions and to curb the I know our current funding views? Did not submit responses to I am native to this area and spread of this virus so we can formula, which relies so heavily I am tired of the partisanship the questionnaire. continue to live, work and raise finally fully recover. The mask on property taxes, is not good my own children here. I love mandate will not last forever, and divisiveness occurring at for schools or property owners. all levels of government. Our this community, and I would but in order to continue Pennsylvania has one of the Candidate: Kelly McDonough be honored to serve my fellow our forward progress, it is system is broken, and I am highest property tax rates ready to fix it in order to better n residents as a representative in imperative that we wear them in the nation and one of the Party: now. serve the people of my district. Democrat. the state Legislature. lowest state shares of funding The state needs to secure for public education. I believe in representative n Age: 33. There is not enough progress happening in Pennsylvania, and maintain housing for democracy, and as such, I will n My goals would be to cut put the best interests of the Residence: and I plan to lead by example those unable to pay their rent property taxes across the because of the pandemic, while entire district over all else Spring for all of my former students state while creating equity ensuring landlords can pay when making decisions in Township, and my two small children to throughout our public their bills as well. Health care Harrisburg. It is essential that Berks County. ensure that their government schools. We must cut and educational professionals our representatives truly reflect n Occupation: works for them. I want to be a property taxes for everyone continuing to serve our the needs of the people they Teacher, Wilson voice for those who have been and provide relief to those on ignored for far too long and communities require adequate represent because currently, High School. government funding to provide low or fixed incomes through work toward positive change in rebates and by expanding too many people are being n Education: Bachelor’s Harrisburg. proper PPE and testing ignored and misrepresented. degrees in political science and capabilities. Policymakers need eligibility criteria. Property history, Penn State University; to take this virus seriously taxes serve as the main My goal is to create policy that revenue stream for schools works for everyone, and the teaching certification, 2. What are your priorities to and follow the science at the Kutztown University; master’s state and federal level so as which results in schools in only way to accomplish that help the state recover from low-income areas having degree in history, Villanova the economic and human toll to not undo the progress we is to listen to the constituents University. have made, ensuring that fewer resources than those in and reach across the aisle to the coronavirus pandemic has higher income areas. A child’s n taken? we continue to move toward make progress for the people Family: Husband Greg, and recovery. education should not be of my district and state.

97th District: Incumbent Mentzer running against Gulick

Continued from 10 to create a state-based public option funding out of Harrisburg. who don’t support you or share your program tied to Medicaid negotiated views? 3. Can you briefly describe what you As it regards the state budget, there would do to address what residents costs. I will fight to cap prescription are a lot of options in play for raising Although folks in our community may have told us are the issues they are drug prices. needed revenue, including taxes disagree about the means or strategies most concerned about: health care, Pennsylvania ranks in the bottom on energy development, closing for addressing different problems we’re the state budget and school property 10 for school funding. A couple of the Delaware loophole or legalizing facing, we all ultimately want the same taxes? Given the 200-word limit, you decades ago the state paid about half marijuana for recreational use as many things for our families and our neighbors. may choose to respond to a single of our school’s budget, but 30 years of states have done. I know that we all want our families to topic instead of all three. deprioritizing our schools has chipped be healthy, our communities to be safe, Medical bills are the number one reason away at that funding so that it’s now and for all of us to thrive together. that folks file for bankruptcy. This is closer to 35%. The burden of making 4. Surveys show that partisanship is increasing, and people of different I will continue to lead and problem unconscionable. You should never have up the rest falls onto our communities solve with those values first and to choose between your health and through property taxes. To lighten the political views are growing less foremost, values that everyone in your home. We don’t need to wait for property tax burden and maintain local trustworthy of one another. How will Lancaster County shares, regardless of D.C. to figure it out. We could work control of our schools, we need more you seek to build bridges to voters party. 12 OCTOBER 21, 2020 LNP | LANCASTER, PA 37th House District n The District: The 37th stretches into some of the most rural parts of northern Lancaster County, and more than two-thirds of its registered voters are Republicans. n Represents: Clay, Elizabeth, Mount Joy, Penn, Rapho and West Cocalico townships; Denver, East Petersburg and Manheim boroughs.

Candidate: Mindy Fee (incumbent) taxes? Given the 200-word limit, you n Family: Wife Amber; three children, 3. Can you briefly describe what you n Party: Republican. may choose to respond to a single Koi, Calla and Everest. would do to address what residents topic instead of all three. have told us are the issues they are n Age: 55. most concerned about: health care, Pennsylvania is an incredibly diverse 1. Why are you running? What is your n Residence: Manheim the state budget and school property state, both politically and in how school pitch to voters? Borough. property taxes are structured. Property taxes? Given the 200-word limit, you n owners in Lancaster County and our My struggles have defined and inspired may choose to respond to a single Occupation: me to run for public office. When I was topic instead of all three. Legislator since surrounding counties are paying property taxes under a very different 5 years old my father was diagnosed To address health care we need 2013. Previously a with multiple sclerosis. He lost his contract furniture sales structure than owners in places like to expand Medicaid eligibility and Forest County or Westmoreland County. ability to provide for his family and cap prescription copays within the executive. expended his life savings while he Thus, the impetus to fix property taxes commonwealth. We need to raise the n Education: Millersville University, fought the state to provide disability minimum wage so that people can Bachelor of Arts in economics. falls more along geographic lines than benefits. Our family went from thriving party lines. And with many regions afford their health care, and strengthen to struggling to survive on food public sector unions to ensure that of the state quite happy with their stamps and Medicaid. property tax assessment, the political employers are offering the benefits 1. Why are you running? What is your will to change is far smaller than Our government needs to do more to their employees and families deserve. pitch to voters? most would think. I’ve co-sponsored address the needs and hardships that To address the state budget we need I’m running for reelection because I and supported several property tax working families face when someone to reduce the size and scope of the understand the values and priorities of restructuring plans (including property gets sick. I’m also an individual in long- General Assembly and eliminate the majority of people who live in my tax elimination) that would make the term recovery from opioid addiction, taxpayer-funded pension programs district. I take my job very seriously to process more equitable across the state. where I nearly lost everything. I dealt for lawmakers. We should eliminate actually represent and advocate for I’m not giving up on this fight. first hand with the broken criminal fossil fuel industry subsidies, pass an those priorities with legislation under justice system that fails to adequately extraction tax on natural gas and look consideration in the Pennsylvania address the addiction epidemic. I to find new sources of revenue. 4. Surveys show that partisanship is decided that my story from rock Legislature. The corporate tax rate should be increasing and people of different bottom to the reconstruction of my Additionally, my staff and I truly get to raised, and we should close the political views are growing less life could be used as a catalyst to help help people dealing with state-related Delaware loophole to ensure that trustworthy of one another. How will rebuild our communities and ease the issues, help them cut through the wealthy corporations aren’t avoiding you seek to build bridges to voters burden of those still suffering. government’s red tape, and actually paying tax in Pennsylvania. who don’t support you or share your solve problems. That’s a privilege that I know what it is to struggle. Many of views? our elected officials have been born Property taxes can be lowered when comes with this job, and it’s one I do we get lawmakers to Harrisburg not take lightly. Let me list a few things that I consider with silver spoons in their mouth — so far more important than my party they don’t know our struggles. that are committed toward public affiliation: my status as a mother, a education. We need to ensure that 2. What are your priorities to help the grandmother, a daughter, a sister, a Harrisburg funds education more adequately so that local school state recover from the economic and widow, a former business executive, a 2. What are your priorities to help the human toll the coronavirus pandemic friend, and a person of faith. These all districts combating suburban sprawl state recover from the economic and and exponential population growth has taken? form the sum of who I am far more than human toll the coronavirus pandemic a political label. don’t have to project that cost to local My biggest priority is simple: to help the has taken? taxpayers. families in my district keep food on the I always interact with people based on To address the human and economic table. I do not devalue at all the families their humanity rather than a label, and I toll that COVID-19 has taken, we who have lost loved ones to COVID-19 would expect that they do the same for need leaders that are willing to offer (especially those who were caught up me. Like any person, I have experiences bold ideas. We need leaders who 4. Surveys show that partisanship is in the state’s incredibly poor decision and viewpoints that shape my political understand science and recognize that increasing and people of different to place COVID-positive patients in philosophy. And I have no problem medical professionals are more adept political views are growing less nursing homes). with defending my opinions on issues. to make important decisions than trustworthy of one another. How will Civil political discourse and debate is partisan lawmakers. you seek to build bridges to voters Another severe impact in Pennsylvania who don’t support you or share your is the economic toll and its ensuing a cornerstone of our democracy. And I believe civility is not yet dead. Our economy and human health run views? emotional toll. More than 3.5 million hand in hand. I will work to expand people were forced to apply for Medicaid by raising the income We will always have ideological unemployment — and many are STILL differences that create partisanship and Candidate: John Padora eligibility and offering a public buy-in waiting to receive compensation as option to families who earn less than political tensions. I believe that this is they work through the labyrinth of state n Party: Democrat. $100,000 annually. the result of partisan gerrymandering efforts that have disenfranchised entire government inefficiency within the n Age: 31. Department of Labor & Industry. I will work to create a green energy groups of people. Elected officials n Residence: Clay initiative that allocates millions generally only have to appeal to their We must do all we can to get our Township. towards green energy programs and base. economy restarted and fully functioning n infrastructure overhauls to stimulate — and Pennsylvanians are clearly Occupation : the economy and combat global If elected I will work tirelessly to restore proving they are innovative enough to CNC programmer/ climate change. transparency and accountability. I will figure out how to do that while taking manufacturing hold regular town halls to discuss our the necessary health precautions. engineer. I will work to legalize recreational issues as a community. We need to marijuana, which will create tens of focus on what unites us rather than n Education: Thaddeus thousands of good-paying jobs, save divides us. People are tired of the two- Stevens College of Technology, taxpayers millions annually by freeing party system at large. We need more 3. Can you briefly describe what you Associate of Applied Science in up our judicial system and offer a cash leaders who remind constituents that would do to address what residents computer-aided manufacturing; crop to family-owned farms who are we are Americans first and Democrats have told us are the issues they are Southern New Hampshire University, most concerned about: health care, struggling to survive in the age of or Republicans second. Bachelor of Science in environmental corporate agricultural takeovers. the state budget and school property science & geo-spatial technology. 37TH DISTRICT, page 16 LANCASTER, PA | LNP OCTOBER 21, 2020 13 99th House District n The District: The 99th is one of the most conservative districts in all of Lancaster County, comprising mostly rural parts of the county’s northeast. Its voters went overwhelmingly for President Donald Trump in 2016, and likely will do the same in 2020. n Represents: Akron, Ephrata, New Holland and Terre Hill boroughs; Ephrata, Earl, East Earl, Caernarvon and Salisbury townships.

Candidate: David Zimmerman 3. Can you briefly describe what you Both major political parties routinely nobody should have to choose (incumbent) would do to address what residents ignore the needs of working-class between their bills and their life when n Party: Republican. have told us are the issues they are people like us who live in small towns our government has the funds to keep most concerned about: health care, and rural areas, yet they manage to us all safe. n Age: 64. the state budget and school property keep us divided and fighting with each n Residence: East Earl taxes? Given the 200-word limit, you other. 3. Can you briefly describe what you Township. may choose to respond to a single I’m running to unite our community would do to address what residents topic instead of all three. across party lines and give a voice n Occupation: have told us are the issues they are to the everyday people who have Legislator since 2015. While I believe the issues mentioned are most concerned about: health care, been shut out of the conversation in no doubt important, the single biggest the state budget and school property n Education: Harrisburg for too long. If we reject issue I hear from the people of the 99th taxes? Given the 200-word limit, you Agriculture courses the status quo of leaving politics to District is the need to safely return may choose to respond to a single at Penn State University the wealthy and well-connected, if life to normal and restart our state’s topic instead of all three. and Purdue University, but no economy. People are willing to follow we speak to our neighbors instead of degrees. health guidelines to control the spread staying divided, and if we put our faith Pennsylvania’s taxation system is one of COVID-19, but they also want and in each other like we were raised to, we of the most regressive in our country. need to return to work, to visiting their can create a state government that is Pennsylvanians who make less pay a 1. Why are you running? What is your loved ones, to going to church, and life’s more reflective of our values and that higher percentage of their income in pitch to voters? other daily activities. is better prepared to fulfill our needs. various taxes than wealthier people do. I am running today for the same reason Regarding the issues you mention, Elanco is through with being I support a graduated income tax, I ran originally: to be a strong voice I am proud to have a record that controlled by out-of-touch, corrupt which means lowering income for our community in Harrisburg. As includes supporting record funding for politicians whose entire careers are taxes for lower- and middle-class representative, I have worked hard education, fighting for property tax built on keeping our community Pennsylvanians to 2.5% and raising to address the issues that the people relief and elimination, and supporting divided. Everyday people deserve an income taxes on the wealthy to 4%. I serve have told me are important new, bipartisan legislation and laws advocate who not only understands This will bolster our state budget — things like protecting taxpayers, aimed at increasing health care the challenges they face in their daily by increasing tax revenue while promoting and protecting agriculture, accessibility and affordability. lives, but has a personal stake in their simultaneously supporting working growing our economy, improving well-being. families to afford their everyday needs education and health care, and keeping with less reliance on state programs. our community safe — and I have 4. Surveys show that partisanship is As a manufacturing worker myself, I achieved results. will bring to Harrisburg the lived reality In addition to balancing the state increasing and people of different budget, a progressive property With the support of voters again this political views are growing less of being a small-town, working-class Pennsylvanian, and a comprehensive tax system will keep more of our year, I will continue this record of trustworthy of one another. How will neighbors in their homes and expand success in the future. you seek to build bridges to voters knowledge of what it is that everyday Pennsylvanians need. opportunities for students in our who don’t support you or share your state’s public education system. views? It is wrong that the quality of our 2. What are your priorities to help the As representative, I refuse to allow state recover from the economic and 2. What are your priorities to help the young people’s education can be the partisan nature of national politics state recover from the economic and predicted by their ZIP code. I support human toll the coronavirus pandemic trickle down to our local level and my has taken? human toll the coronavirus pandemic full implementation of the Fair Funding service. The fact is my record shows has taken? Formula and increased state funding The best way to help the state recover that I am willing and able to work for public education (excluding from the economic and human toll across the aisle to build common This spring, our representatives sat on millions of dollars in federal aid meant charter schools, which siphon funds of the pandemic is to restart our ground on issues and get results; that is from under-resourced school districts economy in a safe and responsible why the vast majority of the legislative to keep us safe, and presented us with a false choice: go back to work and with little accountability for student manner that follows health guidelines initiatives I have voted in favor of enjoy outcomes). while allowing Pennsylvanians to broad bipartisan support and become risk spreading a deadly virus to our return to work so they can provide for law. families, or get fired and evicted. All of these changes together will themselves and their families. For generations, our elected officials contribute to stronger, responsibly funded public education as well as We must also ensure that our long- have been chipping away at our labor Candidate: Rick Hodge rights to appease their corporate financial relief and housing stability for term care and nursing homes are seniors and working-class families. fully supported to ensure that we do n Party: Democrat. donors, and this has resulted in a not see a re-occurrence of the tragic n work culture where we are not only Age: 27. expected to go to work while showing early loss of life seen there when n 4. Surveys show that partisanship is the administration forced COVID-19 Residence: New symptoms of an illness, but where we Holland Borough. are so close to financial ruin at any increasing and people of different positive patients back into these political views are growing less facilities; at-risk populations must also n Occupation: Cabinet given time that we couldn’t afford to take time off if we were allowed. trustworthy of one another. How will be given support to keep them out of maker. you seek to build bridges to voters harm’s way. n Education: High This pandemic has affirmed our who don’t support you or share your I believe most Pennsylvanians school, and I am two dire need for representation that views? prioritizes workers’ needs —our needs understood early steps taken to years into my degree in Everyday Pennsylvanians have much — over the greed and hubris of our address the coronavirus when government and political affairs with a more in common with one another representatives in Harrisburg. much was unknown. Now, however, minor in economics. than the wealthy and well-connected I believe a more transparent and n Family: Single, no children. In office, I will get to work immediately — and the politicians who serve them cooperative decision-making process to fight for state-sponsored health — have allowed us to think. Elanco that includes stakeholders from every insurance, paid sick and family leave, Democrats and Republicans alike suffer segment of Pennsylvania, should be 1. Why are you running? What is your rent relief, and a moratorium on in the face of stagnant wages put in place. pitch to voters? COVID-19 related evictions, because 99TH DISTRICT, page 16 14 OCTOBER 21, 2020 LNP | LANCASTER, PA 98th House District n The District: The 98th encompasses a wide mix of rural and suburban areas in the western part of the county. Although it includes some small groupings of Democrats in Columbia and Elizabethtown, it is overall a safe Republican district. Bill Troutman, who is challenging eight-term lawmaker Dave Hickernell, has run unsuccessfully for multiple elected offices in the past, including Congress and the state Senate. n Represents: Conoy, East Donegal, West Donegal townships; boroughs of Columbia, Elizabethtown, Marietta and Mount Joy; Dauphin County’s Londonderry Township.

Candidate: Dave Hickernell taxes? Given the 200-word limit, you 1. Why are you running? What is your businesses will need the most help (incumbent) may choose to respond to a single topic pitch to voters? recovering. The current PA congress is n Party: Republican. instead of all three. I have lived in PA’s 98th district my completely out of touch with the needs of working people in Pennsylvania. n Age: 61. By far, the number one issue I hear about entire life. I’ve been involved in many from residents in the 98th District, is activities — scouting, coaching, and Businesses are gone, jobs were lost n Residence: West school property taxes. Hardly a day goes borough council — that served this and the fastest way to get jobs created and money flowing is investment in Donegal Township. by when someone does not call, email community. Not once did I ask if I was Pennsylvania’s infrastructure. Building or speak to me about the burden placed serving a Democrat or Republican. n Occupation: Pa. and creating jobs is a win-win. Legislator since 2003. on their finances by ever-increasing I helped to advance the people, all Previously Lancaster property taxes. That’s why I have been people, in this area. County clerk of courts, a strong advocate for the elimination of I worked many jobs from farmwork 3. Can you briefly describe what you state House staff property taxes. to QA management at a local would do to address what residents member. During my time in the House of pharmaceutical plant until becoming have told us are the issues they are n Education: Elizabethtown College, Representatives, I have co-sponsored an IBEW electrician. My electrical work most concerned about: health care, Bachelor of Arts in psychology. and voted for numerous bills to get rid took me all over the state. I worked the state budget and school property of and/or greatly reduce this onerous and also coordinated multimillion taxes? Given the 200-word limit, you n Family: Wife Karen and daughter tax. Several years ago, we passed a law dollar jobs. may choose to respond to a single Jessica. that makes it harder for school districts These volunteer and work experiences topic instead of all three. to raise taxes, but we need to do more. I have given me great insight into how With the Fed propping up the Dow 1. Why are you running? What is your will continue to fight for our seniors and to build, and/or rebuild the economy making it look like our economy is pitch to voters? other homeowners, many of whom can in our community. Decreases in wages booming although it isn’t, and the no longer afford to pay this tax. and either the loss of or cost of health top 270 Pennsylvania companies It is an honor to serve my friends and care have shattered working families. collectively avoided paying $73 billion neighbors as their state representative. Property owners, small businesses, in state income tax over a five-year My commitment has always been clear construction and even the plates period, Pennsylvanians need to stand — put politics aside and focus on the 4. Surveys show that partisanship is at church have seen a downturn up. issues that matter to our community. I increasing and people of different in revenue. Supply and demand have a proven record of putting people political views are growing less The average working family means economics is increasing the costs of first and getting positive results by trustworthy of one another. How will absolutely nothing to Pennsylvania’s necessities. working together. you seek to build bridges to voters current legislature. Pennsylvania’s who don’t support you or share your I plan on finding the answers for my current tax cuts have done very little If reelected, I will continue to build on views? neighbors to overcome this health to bring new jobs to our state. Job my record of service to my constituents and financial hardship. Not once will growth in the commonwealth has both in Harrisburg and in the district. In I have always worked with Republicans, I ask if I am serving a Democrat or lagged well behind most other states these challenging times, we need leaders Democrats and Independents to do a Republican. I will work tirelessly ranking 48 or 50. we know and trust. what’s right for the people I represent. Public service is about putting people in search of how we can collectively At a time when public services I hope that I have earned the support of before politics and my record speaks overcome these issues. that ordinary people rely on face the residents of the 98th District and I inadequate funding, we shouldn’t be ask for your vote so that I can continue for itself. My local offices serve every having a conversation about lowering to represent you in the Pennsylvania person who seeks assistance, regardless 2. What are your priorities to help the taxes for profitable corporations, which House of Representatives. of party. state recover from the economic and As a committee chairman for the past human toll the coronavirus pandemic only means working families have to six years, I have worked hand in hand has taken? pay more. We should be talking about 2. What are your priorities to help the with my Democrat colleagues on how to ensure corporations pay their Although affecting the poor and fair share. state recover from the economic and these committees and have earned a middle sectors of our workforce the human toll the coronavirus pandemic reputation as a consensus builder and most, this virus was particular in whom Our current budget is about $33 billion. has taken? someone who puts politics aside to it affected. Certain ethnic groups and Just think what we could do to create The past seven months have had a get things done. My job is to represent those with existing conditions took jobs to stand working families back on huge impact on each and every one of everyone to the best of my ability, and I the brunt of it. Obviously those with their feet. Just think what we could do us. I have heard many sad stories from pledge to continue to focus on putting health care and those who are most to fair education funding, which could people who have lost so much due to families and our communities first. healthy have fared better through this lower school taxes. Just think what we the pandemic. While we must continue pandemic so far. Those on Medicaid, could do to create affordable housing. to protect our most vulnerable citizens, Medicare, those without insurance, and Just think what we could do for better Candidate: Bill Troutman we need to all work together to rebuild the working poor suffered tragically. health care. and safely restart of lives. n Party: Democrat. A better affordable health care I am committed to continuing to support n Age: 61. system would be a great start. Small 4. Surveys show that partisanship is our frontline workers and provide critical n Residence: businesses took a more devastating increasing, and people of different funds for struggling small businesses Elizabethtown Borough. hit than larger businesses when it political views are growing less and displaced workers. We must also comes to this killer pandemic, although trustworthy of one another. How will focus on job creation to help our local n Occupation: IBEW certain types of businesses have done you seek to build bridges to voters economy recover as quickly as possible. electrician. very well. Delivery companies have had who don’t support you or share your n Education: High fantastic business while manufacturing views? school diploma from was cut by a percentage of allowable 3. Can you briefly describe what you Finding common ground is very Elizabethtown Area work force due to social health important to get a conversation would do to address what residents High School. reasons. have told us are the issues they are started. Research says “FEAR” usually most concerned about: health care, n Family: Wife Joan, daughter Lindsay Businesses at all levels, depending makes people more conservative. on specifics, will need help. Small the state budget and school property and son Bill. 98TH DISTRICT, page 15 LANCASTER, PA | LNP OCTOBER 21, 2020 15 13th House District n The District: This district is made up mostly of rural parts of Chester County, with fewer than 2,000 voters living in Lancaster County. Republicans in the district’s Lancaster County section outnumber Democrats by approximately 2:1. This is a safe Republican district. n Represents: Sadsbury Township and Christiana Borough; Chester County (part).

Candidate: John Lawrence Pennsylvania dairy farmer. policymakers — this bill also passed 4. Surveys show that partisanship is (incumbent) I currently serve on seven House the House with broad bipartisan increasing and people of different n Party: Republican. committees, including Appropriations, support. political views are growing less trustworthy of one another. How will n Age: 42. Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Transportation, Professional Licensure, you seek to build bridges to voters 3. Can you briefly describe what you n Residence: West Government Oversight, and Rules. who don’t support you or share your Grove. would do to address what residents views? I sincerely appreciate the opportunity have told us are the issues they are Both parties have contributed to the n Occupation: to serve, and would be grateful for most concerned about: health care, Legislator. your vote so that I may continue to toxic partisan environment we see in the state budget and school property Washington and Harrisburg, and it n Education: Penn advocate for our community in the taxes? Given the 200-word limit, you Capitol. seems many elected officials are only State University, may choose to respond to a single interested in shouting or arguing. That Bachelor of Science in topic instead of all three. has never been my approach. My job is marketing. 2. What are your priorities to help the The state budget faces serious fiscal to represent all of the residents of our n Family: wife Rebecca; two state recover from the economic and challenges. During my time in office, community, whether they voted for me daughters. human toll the coronavirus pandemic I have been a leading advocate for or not. has taken? financial responsibility, less state I am very interested in what people debt and government reform. I think, regardless of their political party. 1. Why are you running? What is your COVID-19 is a serious illness that introduced legislation to reform how deserves serious attention, and the I believe the best way to learn what pitch to voters? the state issues debt, forcing faster people are concerned about is to ask effects of the COVID-19 pandemic repayment of principal. This law, Act Serving as state representative for will be felt for years. I have heard them, and be ready to listen. During the greater Octorara area is very 43 of 2019, passed the House and the my time in office, I’ve held over 60 from hundreds of folks who are Senate unanimously and will save the humbling and a great honor. As a very concerned about how the state town hall meetings to hear directly lifelong resident of our community, I Pennsylvania taxpayer $1 billion over from folks about the issues that matter has handled this situation, from the 20 years. bring a commonsense, reform-minded business shutdowns to the plan to to them, and to answer questions approach toward governing. Leading get kids back to school. I am working School taxes are the number one issue about state government. by example, I declined the ridiculous to get Pennsylvania reopened safely facing seniors and homeowners in In the Capitol, I’ve sought to work perks previous legislators granted so people can get back to work our community. Property taxes have with folks from both sides of the aisle themselves, turning down a taxpayer- and school with proper protections. accelerated in recent years because whenever possible. Almost all of my funded pension, state car, per-diems, I am also working to make sure of the need to properly fund the state legislation in Harrisburg has passed the etc. Pennsylvania has proper COVID-19 teachers pension system, known as House with broad bipartisan support. Locally, my office has helped testing plans in place — in my opinion, PSERS. While teachers have always thousands of folks who are testing is key to moving forward. paid every dime they were required to contribute, PSERS is underfunded struggling with government services, You’ve probably heard there is a lot Candidate: Richard Ruggieri due to incredibly poor decisions made including issues with PennDOT and of arguing in Harrisburg about how n Party: Democrat. Pennsylvania’s broken unemployment by both Republican and Democrat to proceed. I am taking a different n Age: 41. compensation system. I’m also working approach; since we do not have time legislators during the Ridge and to halt any proposed sale of Chester for arguing, we need to act. I sat Rendell administrations. I voted yes n Residence: London Grove. Water Authority, which owns and down with folks from both sides of to reform the pension system for new n manages the Octoraro reservoir. hires, and have consistently voted Occupation: Assistant vice president the aisle to write and pass a new law of IT management for Barclays. to expand coronavirus test reporting yes to properly fund state payments In Harrisburg, I have been a leading to PSERS. Properly funding PSERS n voice for our struggling dairy farmers. — a law that passed the Legislature Education: Penn State University, is critical, as it relates to school I wrote HB 1224, which passed the almost unanimously. I also introduced Bachelor of Science in information tax rates. I was also a yes vote on House unanimously and is close to legislation to create a panel of technology. the Property Tax Elimination Act, final passage in the Senate. This bill medical doctors with specialized n Family: Wife Christina; two sons. known as House Bill 76, although this will bring greater clarity to state- knowledge on infectious diseases to legislation has not advanced to the mandated milk premiums and ensure give fact-based, scientifically accurate these monies actually get paid to the information on COVID-19 to state governor’s desk. Did not respond to the questionnaire.

98th District: Incumbent Hickernell faces Troutman

Continued from 14 them most reluctant to differences is an essential “How do you convince level headed, especially Liberals have likely grown up change be it good or bad for factor in judging when to another person to care about when it comes to creating experiencing more diversity them. Liberals are less happy start a discussion. Having the other people?” is a major either policy or law at and resilience from hardship. with their lives and think of right talking points is also question when trying to come any government level that Most conservatives were ways in which the world can crucial when trying to make up with a good argument. will affect each of our daily raised around people with be improved, striving for a actual change. Activists and Know the concerns of each lives. Having productive similar beliefs and socio- better experience for all. lobbyists need to understand side and look for similar discussions is crucial! Vote Bill and appeal to the values of ideals to get things started. economic status. This makes Troutman. Recognizing these ideological their opponents. Most importantly, always stay 16 OCTOBER 21, 2020 LNP | LANCASTER, PA 11th District: Smucker, Hammond vying for US House seat

Continued from 7 dollars should be buying us universal, environmental effects of our energy anything, and that is the obligation comprehensive coverage. sector. that we commit ourselves to when after the pandemic. This financial and This should include dental, vision, Besides the Green New Deal, no we agree to represent others in a administrative flexibility will allow democracy. these businesses to grow and to create prenatal and birth coverage, well- one has proposed a comprehensive jobs that pay at least $15 an hour and child visits, physical therapy, aging plan for our economy. To say that This does mean that we will have to provide paid sick leave. with dignity, mental health care we can re-create the industrial and compromise sometimes, but it does coverage, addiction treatment manufacturing-based economy of the not mean that we should compromise Additionally, we need to apply federal and reproductive coverage. The 20th century is deceptive, obtuse or all of the time. Human rights can never funds to universal child care and reality is these treatments would be delusional. be our bargaining chip. broadband access. substantially cheaper to cover under a Our team will always defend our comprehensive, universal system. 4. Surveys show that partisanship is rights to health care, to our bodies, 3. Can you briefly describe what you Climate change should be the increasing and people of different to equality under the law, and to our would do to address what residents definitive most-important issue in any political views are growing less pursuits of happiness — all of our have told us are the issues they are of our elections, so it really speaks to trustworthy of one another. How will pursuits of happiness, together. most concerned about: health care, the state of our health care system you seek to build bridges to voters This means working hard to find a climate change and balancing the that it often overshadows an existential who don’t support you or share your cohesive balance within our own party, federal budget? Given the 200-word crisis. Almost everyone we describe views? based upon our shared values and limit, you may choose to respond to a the Green New Deal to becomes upon brave and empathetic dialogues single topic instead of all three. Even people in the same party are an enthusiastic supporter of it. It’s not going to agree all of the time; we that are constructive, collaborative, Health care is the number one issue probably the most misunderstood have seen that in our primaries. And and that build our strength as a unified when we talk to voters, before resolution and growing package even when we don’t want to, as public party. and after the COVID pandemic. In of legislation in Congress. It is a officials, we are obligated to maintain This party must engage moderate addition to uncoupling health care comprehensive plan to create good- respectful dialogues with each other. Republicans and isolate the voices from employment to benefit workers paying jobs and universal, sustainable That is the only way that we are of the career obstructionists in and small business owners, our tax housing, along with mitigating the going to be able to collaborate to fix Washington.

13th District: Senate 41st District: Miller, Wherley

Continued from 8 its obligations to fund our Continued from 9 I think that many of the being disagreeable. We schools, which forces local disagreements we have may have different policy with people who have 3. Can you briefly describe governments to raise property can be solved with more of positions, but we all have taxes. We must implement the different ideas and positions an “and/both” approach, the same values and want what you would do to address and who challenge us to see what residents have told us Fair Funding formula so school rather than an “either/or” to achieve the same goal: a districts can get much-needed situations through a different approach. People should stronger Pennsylvania for are the issues they are most lens. concerned about: health care, funding. School districts in the be able to disagree without all of us. the state budget and school county could see their funding property taxes? Given the 200- increase by millions of dollars. word limit, you may choose to respond to a single topic 4. Surveys show that instead of all three. partisanship is increasing and Fee vs. Padora All Pennsylvanians deserve people of different political 37th District: access to affordable, quality views are growing less Continued from 12 When people see leaders more community-based healthcare. I would end surprise trustworthy of one another. fighting for the working collaboration. I will work medical billing, cap prices How will you seek to build I will build bridges with class, the partisan ideological to communicate with on prescription drugs, and bridges to voters who don’t voters by maintaining an fluctuations seem more constituents more and party open-door policy and direct ensure coverage for preexisting support you or share your insignificant. We need leadership less. conditions. views? lines of communication. On the state budget, we must When I was sworn into my reevaluate our tax structure. I seat on Lancaster City Council, support the Fair Share Tax plan I took my oath to serve my that would bring an additional constituents seriously. When $2.2 billion in new revenue from residents reach out to me for finally assessing an equitable assistance, I ask what their tax on the super rich and their problems are and how I can 99th District: State House race amassed wealth while 82% help. I never ask them what are distractions from the real problems our of Pennsylvanians would see their party affiliation is. Continued from 13 friends and families face. their taxes go down or see Before deciding to run for and a skyrocketing cost of living. Living Reminding people that we are united by no change. Social Security this seat, I knocked on doors paycheck-to-paycheck while our bosses and our working-class identity will do more benefits, pensions, and 401(k) throughout the district to hear politicians get richer and richer off our labor for us than playing into partisan theatrics distributions would not be directly from voters about and hardships is an experience shared by ever has. This campaign has set out to start taxed. Family-owned and what mattered to them the Republicans and Democrats alike. conversations in our neighborhoods that other small businesses benefit most. I spoke to constituents Career politicians use highly divisive issues encourage people to express their needs from reporting their income of all party registration. Direct to keep us distracted and fighting each other and find common ground in our Lancaster as wages rather than business dialogue is something I value so we never think to ask them to make real County values. Once we show our state profits. in this campaign and what I changes that will make all of our lives easier. representatives that we will no longer be When it comes to education commit to if I am elected to Let’s face it: most of these issues have no divided, they will finally feel pressured to funding, the state of serve the constituents of the real bearing on our day-to-day lives, and listen to us — the everyday people. Pennsylvania has not met 13th Senatorial District.