League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania

Citizen Education Fund

226 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102-3220
Phone: (717)234-1576
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.palwv.org

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF PENNSYLVANIA

CITIZEN EDUCATION FUND
NONPARTISAN VOTERS GUIDE
2016 Presidential Primary Election April 26, 2016
(C) Copyright 2016 LWVPA CEF
Polls open 7 A.M. to 8 P.M.
This Voters Guide may be taken into the voting booth.
FOR ELECTION INFORMATION
Contact your county Board of Elections or visit www.VotesPA.com. The League of Women Voters of
Pennsylvania Citizen Information Center also provides election information. Call 717-234-1576 with any
questions.
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The material in this Guide was compiled by the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania-Citizen Education
Fund. This material may not be altered or reprinted without the permission of the League. Each candidate's
reply has been printed as submitted. Candidates were invited to participate in the Vote411 online voters guide
sponsored by the LWVPA-CEF and Patriot-News/PennLive via email. All reasonable efforts were made to
encourage candidates to participate.
The candidates listed are those whose names appear on the ballot as of April 3, 2015. They are listed according
to their ballot order.
Nothing in this guide should be construed as an endorsement or non-endorsement of any candidate, party, or
initiative by the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania-Citizen Education Fund.
ABSENTEE VOTING
Registered voters who are ill, disabled, or will be absent from the municipality on Election Day may vote by
absentee ballot. Completed applications for civilian absentee ballots must be received by the county
Board of Elections by 5 P.M., April 19, 2016. Completed civilian absentee ballots must be received back
at the Board of Elections by 5 P.M. on April 22, 2016. If an emergency arises (unexpected illness or business
trip) after the Tuesday application deadline, call your county Board of Elections for information on emergency
absentee voting. Proof of emergency may be required. An emergency application and ballot can be obtained
and voted by 5 P.M. on April 22, 2016. Any disabled voter having questions regarding the accessibility of a
polling place should consult the county Board of Elections.
WRITE-IN VOTING
Information for write-in voting will be available at the polling place.
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ELECTION DAY PROBLEMS

If your right to vote is challenged at the polls on Election Day and the problem cannot be resolved at the polling
place, the judge of elections at the polling place should telephone the county Board of Elections. The problem
could be resolved by phone if your name appears on the county records. If it does not and you want to try to
resolve the problem, then you can go in person to the county Board of Elections where a judge from the Court
of Common Pleas will be on duty to resolve election problems. Alternatively you can ask for and vote by
provisional ballot. If it is later determined that you were eligible to vote your ballot will be counted. You will
be given instructions on how to determine if your vote was counted.
If you have any questions or need to report any problems, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE
IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW VOTERS
If you are a new voter or if you are voting at a polling place for the first time then you must bring your voter ID
card or a photo ID such as a driver's license, student ID or some other form of Federal or State government
issued ID. Some forms of non-photo ID are also acceptable such as a firearm permit, current utility bill, bank
statement, paycheck, or government check. If you do not have any acceptable ID then you must be allowed to
vote by provisional ballot.
If you are not a new voter and are not voting at your polling place for the first time,
you are NOT required to bring or provide identification.
ON-LINE VOTERS GUIDE
The Vote411 Online Voters Guide is available at www.vote411.org. Links to this guide as well as links to
Vote411 and other useful information for voters can be found on the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania
homepage: www.palwv.org. It is also posted on the League of Women Voters of Bucks County website,
www.lwvbucks.org (go to the Voters Guide Page).
About this Presidential Voters Guide
This Voters Guide is published by the League of Women Voters. The League has a long tradition of publishing
the verbatim responses of candidates to questions important to voters. The League offers this Voters Guide to
assist citizens in their decision making process as they prepare for participation in the presidential primary
season. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any candidate or political party.
Ground Rules

All qualified presidential candidates were invited to provide biographical information and
responses to five specific questions. Candidates qualified if they met the following criteria: 1. The
candidate must have made a public announcement of her/his intention to run for her/his Partys
nomination for President; and, 2. The candidate must meet the Presidential Election Campaign Fund
Act's minimum contribution threshold requirements for qualifying for matching funds, based on the
most recent data publicly available on the FEC website.

Responses were limited to 400 characters and were truncated thereafter.

If a candidate did not respond by the date of publication, Candidate has not responded. is printed.

2016 League of Women Voters Education Fund.

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President of the United States

How Elected: Every four years, political parties nominate candidates to run for President of the United States
in a general election that is held on the first Tuesday, after the first Monday in November. Although all parties
use conventions to nominate their candidates, in most states the Democratic and Republican parties also run
state-wide primary elections or caucuses. The results of the primary influence how the delegates to their
respective partys convention will cast ballots for candidates for President. The degree to which the result of
the primary influences the votes of delegates at conventions varies from state to state.
Duties: The President is the head of state of the United States of America and is the Chief Executive Officer
and the Commander in Chief of all military forces. The powers of the President are described in the
Constitution and federal law. Subject to Senate approval, the President appoints the members of the Cabinet,
ambassadors to other nations and the United Nations, Supreme Court Justices and federal judges. The
President, along with the Cabinet and its agencies, is responsible for carrying out and enforcing the laws of the
United States. The President may also recommend legislation to the United States Congress.
Salary: $400,000 per year
Term: Four years. Limit of two terms.

Candidate: HILLARY CLINTON

Party: DEM

Contact Info:
Occupation: Former U.S. Secretary of State
Campaign Website: http://www.hillaryclinton.com
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: (646) 854-1432
Campaign Address: Hillary for America PO Box 5256 New York, NY 10185
Questions:
Q: How do you propose to address the most important challenges facing our country?
A: I have laid out four fights to face our greatest challenges: we must create an economy that raises pay and
creates good jobs, ensuring those at the top pay their fair share. We have to support families by expanding
access to health care and other vital services. We must maintain our leadership for global peace and security.
Finally, we must stop the flow of secret money that corrupts our politics.
Q: In building a vibrant U.S. economy, would you emphasize helping companies expand and earn more or
addressing income inequality?
A: The deck is stacked against ordinary Americans. That is why I have laid out plans to raise the minimum
wage and to close unfair tax loopholes that benefit companies that shift jobs overseas. I will make investments
that create jobs, including in infrastructure, research, and education. Ill fight for equal pay, paid leave, and
lower taxes for working Americansasking those at the top to pay more.
Q: Please explain why you support or oppose using more U.S. military power to resolve the situation in the
Middle East.

A: Like President Obama, I do not believe we should again have U.S. troops in combat in the Middle East. If
we have learned anything from 15 years of war, it is that we cannot substitute for local forces in missions to
secure their own communities. Our strategy must be comprehensiveembedding our mission against ISIS
within a broader fight against radical jihadism that is bigger than any one group.
Q: What measures do you support to protect Americans from domestic acts of terrorism?
A: We have to shut down ISIS recruitment in the U.S. and stop foreign terrorists from coming here. We must
disrupt plots before they are carried out by ensuring local law enforcement works with national counterterrorism
experts. We must build on our successes in securing loose nuclear materials and other WMD. And we need to
empower American Muslims, who are key to the fight against radicalization.
Q: Please explain why you do or do not think it is important to reduce the role of money in American elections.
A: Campaign finance reform is needed to restore a government of, by, and for the peoplenot just the wealthy
and well-connected. On issues from climate change to equal pay, Washington wont work for us unless we
address the outsized role of money in politics. As president, I will appoint Supreme Court justices who value
our right to voteand I will work to end secret, unaccountable money in politics.

Candidate: MARTIN O'MALLEY

Candidate withdrew.

Party: DEM

Candidate: BERNIE SANDERS

Party: DEM

Contact Info:
Occupation: United States Senator
Campaign Website: http://berniesanders.com
Campaign Email: info@bernie
Campaign Phone: (802) 862-1505
Campaign Address: Bernie 2016, PO Box 905 Burlington, VT 05402
Questions:
Q: How do you propose to address the most important challenges facing our country?
A: I will address the most important challenges facing our country by bringing people together to reinvigorate
democracy. Middle class and working families and low income people. White, Black, Hispanic, and Native
American. Men and women. Straight and gay. Native born and immigrant. This is the only way to address the
major economic, political, social, and environmental challenges facing our country.
Q: In building a vibrant U.S. economy, would you emphasize helping companies expand and earn more or
addressing income inequality?
A: To rebuild the middle class and reduce income and wealth inequality, we must unlock the economic
potential of all Americans. As President, I will: demand large corporations pay their fair share in taxes; boost

wages by increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour, fight for pay equity for women, create 13 million new
jobs by investing $1 trillion to modernize our crumbling infrastructure, and more.
Q: Please explain why you support or oppose using more U.S. military power to resolve the situation in the
Middle East.
A: I deeply believe that the test of a great and powerful nation is not how many wars it can engage in, but how
it can resolve international conflicts in a peaceful manner. We must move away from using unilateral military
action, and toward diplomacy. War must always be the last resort. As Pres., I will defend this nation, its people,
and Americas strategic interests, but I will do it responsibly.
Q: What measures do you support to protect Americans from domestic acts of terrorism?
A: We must root out terrorist funding networks, provide logistical support to better coordinate local and federal
law enforcement, and disrupt online radicalization. While our intelligence and law enforcement agencies must
have the tools they need to protect the American people, there must be legal oversight and they must go about
their work in a way that does not sacrifice our basic freedoms.
Q: Please explain why you do or do not think it is important to reduce the role of money in American elections.
A: There is no issue more important than reforming our broken campaign finance system, which is increasingly
controlled by billionaires and special interests. We must give Congress and the states the power to regulate
money in elections, and we must require full disclosure of all campaign contributions. Ultimately, we should
move toward public funding of federal elections.

Candidate: JEB BUSH

Candidate withdrew.

Party: REP

Candidate: BEN CARSON

Candidate withdrew.

Party: REP

Candidate: TED CRUZ

Party: REP

Contact Info:
Campaign Website: http://www.tedcruz.org
Campaign Address: Cruz for President
PO Box 25376 Houston, TX 77265

Candidate has not responded.

Candidate: CARLY FIORINA
Candidate withdrew.

Party: REP

Candidate: JOHN R. KASICH

Party: REP

Contact Info:
Campaign Website: http://www.johnkasich.com
Campaign Address: Kasich for America
620 E Broad Street, Suite 2016 Columbus OH 43215

Candidate has not responded.

Candidate: RAND PAUL
Candidate has not responded.

Party: REP

Candidate: MARCO RUBIO

Party: REP

Contact Info:
Campaign Website: http://marcorubio.com
Campaign Address: Marco Rubio for President
PO Box 558701 Miami, FL 33255

Candidate has not responded.

Candidate: DONALD TRUMP

Party: REP

Contact Info:
Occupation: Businessman
Campaign Website: http://www.donaldjtrump.com/
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: (646) 736-1779
Campaign Address: Donald J. Trump for President, INC 725 Fifth Ave New York, NY 10022
Questions:
Q: How do you propose to address the most important challenges facing our country?
A: I think the most important issues facing this country are economic recovery, immigration and national
security. I have proposed an excellent pro-growth tax policy, have taken the strongest stance on immigration
reform and have addressed how we will recapitalize our military to attain the readiness necessary to achieve
and protect our national interests. A strong economy must be first.
Q: In building a vibrant U.S. economy, would you emphasize helping companies expand and earn more or
addressing income inequality?
A: Good economic policy will help both companies grow and invest in America, and improve wages and living
standards for all Americans. A smart trade policy, a competitive tax policy, and a national-interest immigration
policy, will all boost the quality of life for Americans and make the country stronger and more prosperous.
Q: Please explain why you support or oppose using more U.S. military power to resolve the situation in the
Middle East.
A: The Middle East really presents three sets of issues. The Muslim Brotherhood is making great headway in
the African littoral, we have the issues with Syria and Iraq and we have the challenges offered by Iran. Each of
these requires different solution sets. Military power should only be used to achieve our national interests, and
until such time as we have a better economy, we are limited.
Q: What measures do you support to protect Americans from domestic acts of terrorism?

A: In a Trump administration, we will keep Americans safe while safeguarding their Constitutional rights. This
would mean that I would insist that all federal agencies cooperate with state and local law enforcement to
ensure that we have the broadest network possible working on collecting, and acting upon, intelligence that will
suppress any attempts at domestic terrorism.
Q: Please explain why you do or do not think it is important to reduce the role of money in American elections.
A: Politicians have become puppets for their donors. I am the only candidate who is self-funding. The best
way for voters to rebel against the influence of money in politics is with their votes: a Trump Presidency will
return this government to the people.

Pennsylvania US Senate
The U.S. Constitution prescribes that the Senate be composed of two Senators from each State (therefore, the
Senate currently has 100 Members) and that a Senator must be at least thirty years of age, have been a
citizen of the United States for nine years, and, when elected, be a resident of the State from which he or she
is chosen. A Senator's term of office is six years and approximately one-third of the total membership of the
Senate is elected every two years.
The Senate has several exclusive powers not granted to the House, including consenting to treaties, a
precondition to their ratification consenting or confirming appointments of Cabinet secretaries, other federal
executive officials, military officers, regulatory officials, ambassadors, and other federal uniformed officers, as
well as trial of federal officials impeached by the House.
Term: 6 years
Salary: $174,000

Candidates (choose 1):

Candidate: JOHN FETTERMAN

Party: DEM

Contact Info:
Municipality: BRADDOCK
Mailing Address: P.O. Box F Braddock, PA 15104
Campaign Phone: (951) 970-3268
Website: http://www.johnfetterman.com
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Twitter: twitter.com/johnfetterman
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JohnFettermanPA/
Biographical Info:
Date of Birth: August 15, 1969
Education: Degree in finance from Albright College, MBA from University of Connecticut and an MPP from
Harvard

Qualifications: Currently serving third term as Mayor of Braddock

Questions:
Q: Partisan gridlock in Washington has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: It would be disingenuous for me to say I am going to change Washington overnight, and I cant change it by
myself. People asked me why I would want to be mayor of Braddock, saying things like its so far gone and
youll never get anything done. People say the same about the Washington gridlock. I think theres a moral
obligation to try. Just because you cant perfect it immediately doesnt mean it cant be improved on, and you
can't be a voice for common sense reform and actually getting things done and moving forward. I'll work with
any Republican on any issue as long as we both have an understanding that science and facts matter.
Q: In Shelby County v. Holder, the US Supreme Court invalidated provisions of the Voting Rights Act, which
has led to disenfranchised voters across the US. If elected, what will you do to ensure that the voting rights of
all Americans are protected?
A: As someone who won their first race by a single vote, I can personally attest to the importance of ensuring
the voting rights of all Americans are protected. This deciding vote happened to be a provisional ballot,
meaning that if this person didn't understand their rights and fight for their right to vote, I might not have ever
become the Mayor of Braddock and the course of my life could have been drastically altered. We need
Congress to pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act, which will help reverse some of the issues that came
from Shelby County v. Holder and return to requiring states with a history of voter discrimination to preclear
changes to voting laws. We also need to ban voter ID laws and restore the right to vote to former prisoners
who have rightfully served their time. These laws unfairly target minority communities.

Candidate: KATIE MCGINTY

Party: DEM

Contact Info:
Municipality: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Mailing Address: PO Box 22446 Philadelphia, PA 19110
Campaign Phone: (215) 253-6220
Website: http://KatieMcGinty.com
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Twitter: twitter.com/KatieMcGintyPA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/katiemcgintypa/
Biographical Info:
Date of Birth: 5/11/1963
Education: B.S. from St. Josephs University, J.D. from Columbia University
Qualifications: Former Chair of President Bill Clintons Council on Environmental Quality; Former Secretary of
Pennsylvanias Department of Environmental Protection under Governor Ed Rendell; Former Chief of Staff to
Governor Tom Wolf.

Questions:
Q: Partisan gridlock in Washington has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: My entire career I have worked with both parties to build partnerships to achieve results. As President
Clintons chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, I worked with Newt Gingrichs Republican Congress to
make a difference in public health and environmental protection. By building partnerships we strengthened
laws keeping our water safe and our air clean, targeted more resources to cleaning up toxic waste sites, and
acknowledged the importance of environmental justice in policy making for the first time. I carried that same
approach of coalition building to the Department of Environmental Protection under Governor Rendell. Even
with a Republican legislature, we were able to direct major new investments to environmental protection and
infrastructure improvement, enact tougher standards on toxic emissions, and accelerate the development of
clean energy. Track record matters. As Senator, I will use the same approach Ive always used to get past
partisanship and get results.
Q: In Shelby County v. Holder, the US Supreme Court invalidated provisions of the Voting Rights Act, which
has led to disenfranchised voters across the US. If elected, what will you do to ensure that the voting rights of
all Americans are protected?
A: Voting is a fundamental right for Americans across this country. We must fully restore the Voting Rights Act
to protect that right for thousands of Americans who are being disenfranchised. But we must also do more. As
Senator, I will stand against partisan attempts to disenfranchise voters through new voter identification laws
because we should be encouraging more people to vote, not systematically denying them that right. I also
support reforms that increase accessibility and integrity in our elections like guaranteeing early voting and
expanding options for voter registration.

Candidate: JOE SESTAK

Party: DEM

Contact Info:
Municipality: EDGMONT
Mailing Address: PO Box 1936 Media, PA 19063
Campaign Phone: (484) 444-2550
Website: http://www.joesestak.com
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Twitter: twitter.com/JoeSestak
Facebook: http://JoeSestak
Biographical Info:
Date of Birth: 12/12/1951
Education: United States Naval Academy Harvard University, Masters & Ph.D in Political Economy and
Government
Qualifications: 31 years in U.S. Navy, served as Three-Star Admiral, Director of anti-terrorism unit, President
Clinton's Director for Defense Policy. Professor at Carnegie Mellon & Cheyney Universities, Dickinson College.
United States Congressman, 2007-2011.

Questions:
Q: Partisan gridlock in Washington has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: The biggest deficit in our nation is the trust deficit. The gridlock thats crippled DC demonstrates why people
no longer trust their elected officials because too many place partisan ideology over the people they were
elected to serve. I believe true leadership that bridges divisions begins with the people youre elected to serve.
Its why I was the second Democrat to be reelected to my Congressional District since the Civil War; why I was
named the most productive member of my Congressional class, passed more pieces of bipartisan legislation
than either of PAs Senators, and why I began my campaign by walking 422 miles across PA to meet the
people, learn their hopes and concerns, and show them I will truly walk in their shoes once elected. I will
continue my dedication to bipartisan leadership once elected to the Senate by placing people above politics,
engaging in honest debate with my colleagues, and working toward principled compromise without
compromising our principles.
Q: In Shelby County v. Holder, the US Supreme Court invalidated provisions of the Voting Rights Act, which
has led to disenfranchised voters across the US. If elected, what will you do to ensure that the voting rights of
all Americans are protected?
A: If I have a voice in the confirmation of our next Supreme Court Justice, I will strongly urge for the nomination
of Justice who recognizes the importance of restoring these critical aspects of the Voting Rights Act and will do
everything in my power in that process to ensure that our next Justice is committed to restoring and protecting
access to the ballot box for all Americans. I will also oppose attempts to place burdens on voters that
disproportionately burden minority voters. Pennsylvanias own Voter ID Law, for instance, was rightly struck
down in the courts for the burdens it wrongfully placed on poor, elderly, and minority groups, and I will fight
against future attempts to limit citizens ability vote.

Candidate: PAT TOOMEY

Party: REP

Municipality: UPPER MILFORD

Candidate did not respond.

Pennsylvania Attorney General

The basic duties of the attorney general, as outlined by the Commonwealth Attorneys Act are to: serve as the
Commonwealth's chief law enforcement officer; collect all debts, taxes, and account due to the
Commonwealth; represent the Commonwealth and all agencies in any action brought by or against the
Commonwealth; administer the provision relating to consumer protection laws; represent the Commonwealth
and its citizens in any action brought about for violation of the antitrust laws.
Term: 4 Years
Salary: $158,764

Candidates (choose 1):

Candidate: JOHN MORGANELLI

Party: DEM

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Contact Info:
Municipality: BETHLEHEM
Mailing Address: 835 Barnsdale Road Bethlehem, Pa 18017
Campaign Phone: (610) 248-7701
Website: http://johnmorganelli.com
Twitter: twitter.com/johnmorganelli
Facebook: http://John Morganelli- Democrat for Attorney General
Biographical Info:
Date of Birth: 11/12/1955
Education: *JD Villanova School of Law *BA Moravian College, Political Science ,Summa Cum Laude
Qualifications: * Career, courtroom prosecutor for 24 years President of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys
Association * Special Deputy Attorney General * Commission on Crime and Delinquency , 6 years * Instructor
in Criminal and Constitutional law
Questions:
Q: The Attorney Generals office has been under a cloud for the last few years. Why do you believe you can
restore public confidence in the office, and what steps will you take to make that happen?
A: We need experience. I am Pennsylvania's longest serving district attorney and the most experienced
candidate. I am the only candidate who has actually prosecuted criminal cases in the courtroom and who has
personally conducted grand jury investigation. I have personally prosecuted 25 consecutive murder cases,
without a loss, putting some of Pennsylvania's most dangerous criminals in jail for life. Neither of my opponents
have ever prosecuted a single criminal case or personally conducted a grand jury investigation. I am also the
only candidate who has actually served as a Special Deputy Attorney General having served northeastern
Pennsylvania in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties in special investigations. And I am the only candidate who
has served all of Pennsylvania as President of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and as 6 year
member of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. We cannot afford on the job training in
this office at this time.
Q: It is increasingly apparent that Pennsylvanias criminal justice system is deeply flawed. What do you see as
the primary systemic problems within our criminal justice system and, if elected, what steps would you take to
address them?
A: The system is not "deeply flawed". It needs some fixing, but overall our system works. Here are my priorities
: 1.Enact Gov. Ed Rendell's plan to end parole for repeat violent criminals so we keep violent criminals and
sexual predators off our streets. 2.Keep guns out of the hands of children, criminals and the mentally ill by
advocating the passage of the "Parents Responsible Gun Ownership Act" and require that lost or stolen guns
be reported to law enforcement. 3.Fix the broken parts of our justice system to make the system fairer for the
poor, the mentally ill and the drug dependent by fighting for more resources. 4.Support new legislation to give
non violent offenders a "second chance" by expanding the ability to erase old criminal records. We have lost
two generations of people who cannot get a job because of an old non violent criminal record. 5.Go after the
Wall Street crooks who engage in predatory practices that melt down our economy and hurt all of us.

11

Candidate: JOSH SHAPIRO

Party: DEM

Contact Info:
Municipality: ABINGTON TOWNSHIP
Mailing Address: 21 E. Airy Street Norristown, PA 19401
Campaign Phone: (215) 886-7376
Website: http://www.joshshapiro.org
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Twitter: twitter.com/JoshShapiroPA
Facebook: http://facebook.com/JoshShapiroPA
Biographical Info:
Date of Birth: 6/20/73
Education: B.A. - University of Rochester J.D. - Georgetown Law Center
Qualifications: Chairman, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, 2015-present Of Counsel
with Stradley Ronon law firm, 10 years State Representative, 2005-2012
Questions:
Q: The Attorney Generals office has been under a cloud for the last few years. Why do you believe you can
restore public confidence in the office, and what steps will you take to make that happen?
A: Throughout my career, Ive been a reformer. In Harrisburg, they didnt like it when I stopped their perks and
pushed for reform. In Montgomery County, I cleaned up an ethical mess. Ill bring this same commitment to
integrity and reform to the Office of Attorney General. In my Integrity Agenda, Ive laid out the steps I will take
to restore integrity to the Office of Attorney General. On Day One, I will create a code of conduct and mandate
ethics training. I will ban gifts. I will post all expenses online for every Pennsylvanian to see. Additionally, I will
professionalize the offices human resources and establish a new Chief Diversity Officer to ensure that the
Office of Attorney General looks like the public it is sworn to represent. And I will create the Casey
Commission, named for the late Gov. Robert P. Casey, to issue regular reports on integrity and transparency
in our Commonwealth and recommendations for how to improve our laws. For more details on my plan visit
www.joshshapiro.org/integrity.
Q: It is increasingly apparent that Pennsylvanias criminal justice system is deeply flawed. What do you see as
the primary systemic problems within our criminal justice system and, if elected, what steps would you take to
address them?
A: We need to treat addiction as a disease instead of a crime and ensure prison is used for those who are
violent and pose a risk to others and not the mentally ill or those suffering from drug addiction. Far too many
young peopleparticularly young people of colorget caught up in the system when they should not be there
in the first place. This hurts individuals, communities and taxpayers. We need to put in place alternatives to
incarceration for non-violent offenders, drug courts, smart probation and more resources for drug and alcohol
treatment and mental health services. In Montgomery County, we have been nationally recognized for reducing
our recidivism rate by 30 percent through a comprehensive treatment program in our prison. As Attorney

12

General, Ill reform our criminal justice system so that everyone is treated fairly, we lower the recidivism rate,
reduce the number of victims of crime, lower the burden on taxpayers and make our communities safer.

Candidate: STEPHEN A ZAPPALA JR

Party: DEM

Contact Info:
Municipality: FOX CHAPEL
Mailing Address: PO Box 183 Bethel Park, PA 15102
Campaign Phone: (412) 999-2625
Website: http://www.zappalaforpa.com
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Twitter: twitter.com/ZappalaforPA
Facebook: http://ZappalaforAttorneyGeneral
Biographical Info:
Date of Birth: 5/20/57
Education: University of Pittsburgh, BA; Duquesne University, JD
Qualifications: 18 years as Allegheny County District Attorney; 12 years in private practice in civil, municipal
and criminal law
Questions:
Q: The Attorney Generals office has been under a cloud for the last few years. Why do you believe you can
restore public confidence in the office, and what steps will you take to make that happen?
A: My first priority will be to restore confidence in the office of Attorney General that has been shaken in recent
years. The office itself was reshaped and created as a separate, independently elected office after a period of
corruption in our state. In order for this office to be effective, it is vital that the citizens of Pennsylvania view the
office holder as capable and competent leader. I have shown strong leadership and sound judgment for 18
years as Allegheny Countys District Attorney. I will bring those same principles with me and set high standards
for all employees of the office.
Q: It is increasingly apparent that Pennsylvanias criminal justice system is deeply flawed. What do you see as
the primary systemic problems within our criminal justice system and, if elected, what steps would you take to
address them?
A: The biggest problem is over-incarceration, which impedes rehabilitation and treatment of underlying medical
and social problems while burdening taxpayers with costs. We must develop effective programs that
emphasize defendants accountability to the community and victims, and require participation in programs that
emphasize treatment and rehabilitation, as well as give judges the discretion to devise effective consequences.
As DA, I was instrumental in the creation of specialty courts that can address the roots of crime and help
criminals become more productive. I used existing nuisance laws to force landlords to make buildings safer for
residents; to revitalize the theater district; to interdict prescription drug trade in Pittsburgh; and to protect
neighborhoods from disruptive bars. I also distributed forfeited funds to support advocacy groups and law
enforcement to make crime prevention a priority, such as providing assistance to victims of sexual offenses,
surveillance cameras for public safety, and police dogs for municipalities.

13

Candidate: JOE PETERS

Party: REP

Contact Info:
Municipality: OVERFIELD TOWNSHIP
Mailing Address: PO Box 429 Lake Winola, PA 18625
Campaign Phone: (717) 574-6674
Website: http://joepeters.com
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Twitter: twitter.com/JoePeters4AG
Facebook: http://facebook.com/JoePetersforAG/
Biographical Info:
Date of Birth: 7/9/1957
Education: King's College for undergrad & Dickinson School of Law
Qualifications: I have spent my career in law enforcement as a cop and prosecutor. I served as state's top
drug prosecutor and as a federal mafia prosecutor. I am only the candidate for AG with local, state, national
and international law enforcement experience.
Questions:
Q: The Attorney Generals office has been under a cloud for the last few years. Why do you believe you can
restore public confidence in the office, and what steps will you take to make that happen?
A: I grew up in that office rising from intern/law clerk to become the first Executive Deputy Attorney General in
charge of the Drug and Organized Crime Division. As such I was the state's top drug prosecutor and also Chief
of the office's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation. People who know me know integrity is first with me. The Office
clearly needs to be revitalized and that will happen with the election of a proven leader who has demonstrated
throughout his career a dedication to integrity and the prosecution of all without regard to anything but the
pursuit of justice. The office needs a new leader like me, who because of his 15-year plus career in the AG's
office, is ready to lead on Day 1 and does not need any on the job training.
Q: It is increasingly apparent that Pennsylvanias criminal justice system is deeply flawed. What do you see as
the primary systemic problems within our criminal justice system and, if elected, what steps would you take to
address them?
A: For example, to deal with our state's growing heroin epidemic we need to change the focus from just
incarceration and begin to treat addiction as a what it is: a health issue. People are dying every day here
because of this like we've never seen before. We should mandate treatment, not incarceration. If say, a single
mom has become addicted to the cheap heroin on the streets after starting with prescribed pain pills, she is a
health concern. She is using the ER, neglecting her child and endangering others. So forcing treatment sooner
rather than later helps her and the community, and perhaps even saves taxpayer dollars. My experience as a
federal prosecutor and top official at the White House Drug Czar's office will allow me to better, and more
quickly, try to bring federal resources to bear as we deal with this and other areas of concern. The OAG needs
to get out of the news for its dysfunction and begin to get back in the news for prosecuting criminals and
protecting our citizens.

14

Candidate: JOHN RAFFERTY

Party: REP

Contact Info:
Municipality: LOWER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP
Mailing Address: P.O. BOX 11757 HARRISBURG, PA 17108
Campaign Phone: (570) 690-1933
Website: http://www.raffertyforag.com
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Twitter: twitter.com/RaffertyforAG
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RaffertyforAG/
Biographical Info:
Date of Birth: 2/7/1953
Education: Bachelor's: University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Master's: Beaver College Law Degree: Temple
Qualifications: Serving as a State Senator, a Deputy Attorney General, a private practice attorney and a small
business owner has given me a wide breadth of experience that few others have. I believe my experience
makes me uniquely qualified.
Questions:
Q: The Attorney Generals office has been under a cloud for the last few years. Why do you believe you can
restore public confidence in the office, and what steps will you take to make that happen?
A: My first step to regaining the public trust is announcing on day one of my campaign that I pledge to run for
Attorney General to be the Attorney GeneralNot to be an aspiring Governor or United States Senator. If
elected, I am committed to serving my full-term of four years and if re-elected eight years as Attorney General.
The Office of Attorney General and the citizens of this great Commonwealth deserve nothing less from the next
Attorney General. In making such a pledge I am making a full faith commitment to Pennsylvanians that I will
remove all political agendas from my office. As the highest ranking law enforcement official of our state it is my
job to be a faithful custodian of the law by enforcing and prosecuting those that break the laws. Additionally, I
will implement a strict ethics code for employees based on guidelines set forth by the United State Department
of Justice. I will have the strictest guidelines in the country to ensure the public has full confidence in our office
moving forward.
Q: It is increasingly apparent that Pennsylvanias criminal justice system is deeply flawed. What do you see as
the primary systemic problems within our criminal justice system and, if elected, what steps would you take to
address them?
A: I am very supportive of the Justice Reinvestment Act which reduces recidivism, increases public safety and
lowers correction costs by investing in communities to defer criminal behavior. Additionally, I am very
supportive of the creation of specialty courts, like the Veterans Courts. In fact, I was a member of the Supreme
Courts steering committee for Veterans Courts.

15

Pennsylvania Auditor General

The principal role of the auditor general is to determine whether state funds are being used in accordance with
the purpose and guidelines that govern each use of the Commonwealth's dollars. The auditor general conducts
financial and performance audits of individuals, state agencies, and organization that receive state funds,
including school districts, state liquor stores, and public employee pensions. These audits are designed to
measure how effectively government programs are using public money to meet their stated goals and
objectives. The office performs more than 6,000 audits each year, and is responsible for auditing all federal
funds that are allocated to Pennsylvania state programs.
Term: 4 years
Salary: $158,764

Candidates (choose 1):

Candidate: EUGENE A DEPASQUALE

Party: DEM

Contact Info:
Municipality: WEST MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP
Mailing Address: PO BOX 391 HARRISBURG, PA 17108
Campaign Phone: (717) 256-2591
Website: http://www.eugene4pa.com
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Twitter: twitter.com/DePasqualePA
Facebook: http://DePasqualePA
Biographical Info:
Date of Birth: 8/3/1971
Education: Widener University, School of Law, J.D University of Pittsburgh, MPA College of Wooster, BA
Qualifications: Auditor General: 2013-present State Representative: 2007-2013 Deputy Secretary, DEP:
2003-2006
Questions:
Q: What are your top three priorities and how will you accomplish them? Please be specific.
A: I will continue to ensure schools are held accountable to taxpayers and students through our school district
audits. I plan to make sure the taxpayers dollars spent on state programs are spent effectively and efficiently
while working to improve those departments. I also plan to help resolve the political budget impasse through
drawing attention to lost taxpayer resources and helping the sides come together.

Candidate: JOHN BROWN

Municipality: BANGOR BORO
Candidate did not respond.

Party: REP

16

Pennsylvania Treasurer
The duty of the Pennsylvania Treasurer is to safeguard the Commonwealth's financial assets, which total more
than $120 billion in public monies. The office manages several programs in order to better serve the financial
needs of Pennsylvanians. The Treasury Department is also responsible for: reuniting unclaimed property with
its rightful owner; investigating loss, theft, and fraud involving commonwealth checks; reviewing real estate
leases and contracts entered into by commonwealth agencies; maintaining the Pennsylvania contracts
electronic library. The Treasurer has specific duties in addition to the oversight of the department: serves as
Chair of the Board of Finance and Revenue, which selects banks to serve as depositories for state money;
sets interest rates paid on commonwealth deposits; hears and decides state tax appeals.
Term: 4 Years
Salary: $158,764

Candidates (choose 1):

Candidate: JOE TORSELLA

Party: DEM

Contact Info:
Municipality: WHITEMARSH
Mailing Address: PO Box 626 Flourtown, PA 19031
Campaign Phone: (267) 219-5629
Website: http://joetorsella.com
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Twitter: twitter.com/joetorsella
Facebook: http://JoeTorsellaForTreasurer/
Biographical Info:
Date of Birth: Berwick, PA
Education: Graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania. Studied at Oxford as a Rhodes
Scholar.
Qualifications: U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. for Management & Reform Chairman of the Pennsylvania State
Board of Education. Founding President & CEO of the National Constitution Center
Questions:
Q: What are your top three priorities and how will you accomplish them? Please be specific.
A: Ive spent my life in public service doing: making public institutions more efficient, more effective, and more
innovative. Thats why, on Day One, Ill set the toughest ethics standards in the country. Ill make it easier for a
person to go online and see not just every single state contract, but every single political contribution made by

17

someone who got one of those contracts. And Ill require that the people trading public money in the stock
market disclose the trades they make on their own accounts. Transparency is one half of the equation.
Accountability is the other. Ill appoint a Chief Integrity Officer to keep everyone working at the Treasury
starting with me on the straight and narrow. My third priority is setting up automatic, universal savings
accounts for secondary or vocational training for every child born in Pennsylvania.
Candidate: OTTO VOIT
Municipality: MUHLENBERG TOWNSHIP
Candidate did not respond.

Party: REP

Ballot Questions:
Judicial Retirement
Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to require that justices of the Supreme Court,
judges and justices of the peace (known as magisterial district judges) be retired on the last day of
the calendar year in which they attain the age of 75 years, instead of the current requirement that
they be retired on the last day of the calendar year in which they attain the age of 70?
Yes - For the Measure

No - Against the Measure

What you need to know:

Proponents of increasing the judicial retirement age argue that:
o The average life expectancy has increased in recent years, while medical advances allow people to
remain healthy and productive for longer than ever before. Since age-related deterioration is
individual, not chronological, many judges will remain active and vital well past the age of 70.
o Judicial proficiency is honed by experience. Permitting judges to remain on the bench for longer
allows the public to benefit from this increased experience, while implementing a mandatory
retirement age of 75 still provides opportunities for new potential judges.
o The Judicial Discipline System is capable of removing unfit judges from the bench, whether their
incompetency is the result of poor behavior or age-related deterioration.
Opponents of increasing the judicial retirement age argue that:
o It is indisputable that mental capabilities deteriorate with age.
o The current senior judge system already allows older judges to continue public service and
contribute their wisdom and experience after retirement.
o Judges themselves may not recognize age-related mental deterioration. Removing these judges
from the bench is embarrassing and can undermine public confidence in the judiciary.
The ballot measure does not address the issue of senior judges.
o Currently, the senior judge system uses retired judges to ease the caseload in Pennsylvanias
courts. These judges receive temporary assignments and are paid on a per diem basis
o The retirement age for senior judges is currently age 78. Senior judges must be certified by the
Supreme Court each year.
o The role and mandatory retirement age for senior judges will not be affected by the adoption of this
amendment
Information provided by Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts.

Philadelphia Traffic Court

Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to abolish the Philadelphia Traffic Court?

18

Yes - For the Measure

No - Against the Measure

What you need to know:

The purpose of the ballot question is to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to abolish the Traffic Court in
the City of Philadelphia. If the ballot question were to be approved, the Traffic Court in the City of
Philadelphia would be abolished by removing all references to the Traffic Court and the judges of the Traffic
Court in the City of Philadelphia from the Pennsylvania Constitution.

Legislation enacted in 2013 transferred the functions performed by the Traffic Court to the Philadelphia
Municipal Court.

The proposed amendment would officially abolish the Traffic Court by removing all references to the Traffic
Court and its judges from the Pennsylvania Constitution.

Information provided by the PA Department of State.

19

US Representative
8th Congressional District
Description:
The U.S. Constitution requires that the House of Representative be composed of elected Representatives
(also called Congressmen or Congresswomen) from each State. There are 435 members of the House of
Representatives. The number of Representatives from each state is proportioned according to its population,
with 18 Representatives from Pennsylvania. A US Representative must (1) be at least twenty-five years old,
(2) have been a citizen of the United States for the past seven years, and (3) be (at the time of the election) an
inhabitant of the state they represent. A Representative's term of office is 2 years.
The House of Representatives is responsible for creating the budget and initiating bills to collect taxes and
other money, although all bills must pass the Senate and be signed by the President. The House is also
responsible for impeaching federal officials (the Senate then tries the case) and electing the President if there
is a tie in the Electoral College.
Term: 2 Years
Salary: 174,000
(Vote for one)

Candidates:
MARC DUOME

Party: REP
Biographical Info:
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1001 Buckingham, PA 18912
Campaign Phone: (267) 406-2021
Website: http://duomeforcongress.com
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Education: Doctorate, Clinical Psychology & Neuropsychology - Hahnemann
Qualifications: Executive private sector experience; work as a healthcare provider with intimate knowledge of
the needs of the local community both young and old.
Twitter: twitter.com/duome4congress
Facebook: http://facebook.com/duomeforcongress
Municipality: PLUMSTEAD
Questions:
Q: Partisan gridlock in Washington has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: As a businessman and a problem-solver, by virtue of my training and executive decision-making, I am
prepared to work with all parties to achieve targeted goals. This can occur in consensus, as well as with
incremental compromise, always keeping the goal line in mind. But, standing on principle is important. And my
actions always bear the grave responsibility of representing the people of my district in a fair and equitable
fashion. Congress, as a whole, often forgets that they work for the people. I will take that oath very seriously
when I represent the District in DC.
Q: In Shelby County v. Holder, the US Supreme Court invalidated provisions of the Voting Rights Act, which
has led to disenfranchised voters across the US. If elected, what will you do to ensure that the voting rights of
all Americans are protected?
A: Since the right to vote is a fundamental liberty, all efforts need to be placed on preserving the integrity of the
system and giving all US citizens unencumbered access to the ballot. In order to do so, I support efforts by

20

States to promote and pass voter ID registration laws. In this culture where you need a valid ID to cash a
check, do banking, rent a car, or use a hotel or any of a number of other activities, it is a red herring to purport
the cry of being disenfranchised for lack of identification. Yet, for this system to work, it is paramount that any
required IDs be free and accessible to the public, as they are in Pennsylvania. Secondly, gerrymandering of
districts, which only serves to stifle the voice of the voter, cannot be supported.

BRIAN FITZPATRICK
Party: REP
Biographical Info:
Municipality: MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP
Questions:
Q: Partisan gridlock in Washington has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: - no response Q: In Shelby County v. Holder, the US Supreme Court invalidated provisions of the Voting Rights Act, which
has led to disenfranchised voters across the US. If elected, what will you do to ensure that the voting rights of
all Americans are protected?
A: - no response

SHAUGHNESSY NAUGHTON

Party: DEM
Biographical Info:
Mailing Address: PO Box 751 Doylestown, PA 18901
Campaign Phone: (215) 915-5068
Website: http://www.VoteSN.com
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Date of Birth: 08/28/1978
Education: Bachelors in Chemistry from Bryn Mawr College.
Qualifications: Shaughnessy was born and raised in Bucks County. She received a degree in Chemistry from
Bryn Mawr College and worked in Breast Cancer research before stepping in to turn around her family's
struggling small business. She brings a fresh perspective.
Twitter: twitter.com/VoteShaughnessy
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ShaughnessyForCongress/
Municipality: PLUMSTEAD TOWNSHIP
Questions:
Q: Partisan gridlock in Washington has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: Partisan gridlock in Washington is preventing millions of American families from reaching the middle class.
Its why I am running for congress. We need a fresh perspective. A lot of people today are suffering in this
economy because of the misplaced priorities in Washington. I believe a way we end partisan gridlock is we
elect people with diverse backgrounds and experience in congress. And we need diversity of gender as well.
Currently Pennsylvania has zero women in the congressional delegation. One of the things science training
teaches you is to look for solutions to problems. In the lab when I worked as a breast cancer researcher a
challenge we faced was the lack of readily available treatments. That meant collaboratively working with fellow
scientists to solve problems. With the experience Ive had by running a business, I understand the balance that
we need to have between short-term sacrifice and long term growth. Its what is missing in Washington DC
today.

21

Q: In Shelby County v. Holder, the US Supreme Court invalidated provisions of the Voting Rights Act, which
has led to disenfranchised voters across the US. If elected, what will you do to ensure that the voting rights of
all Americans are protected?
A: For fifty years, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 protected minority voters. Today those protections are no
longer there. Voting is a fundamental right in our country and we should be doing everything we can to
increase participation in the democratic process. Its about opening access to voting polls not locking doors so
people who legally want to vote cannot. The first thing we need to do is repair the Voting Rights Act. In
Congress I will work to pass the legislation that repairs the damage done by Shelby County v. Holder. We need
to restore the protections that existed in the Voting Right Acts that the Supreme Court wiped away. Its crucial
for our seniors, minorities and our youth. I also believe that we should have a national standard for early voting.
In Congress I will work to pass legislation that would set a standard for early voting. In-person early voting,
including evening and weekend voting would give more people an opportunity to vote. It is critically important
that every American has the opportunity to vote.

STEVE SANTARSIERO
Party: DEM
Biographical Info:
Mailing Address: PO BOX 249 Newtown, PA 18940
Campaign Phone: (215) 493-9300
Website: http://www.santarsieroforcongress.com
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Date of Birth: 2/13/65
Education: BA - Tufts JD - University of Pennsylvania
Qualifications: I am a former teacher and a current State Representative with a record of results fighting for
responsible gun safety, women's reproductive rights, clean air and water, and the working families of
Pennsylvania.
Twitter: twitter.com/santarsieroPA8
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stevesantarsiero
Municipality: LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP
Questions:
Q: Partisan gridlock in Washington has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: In the State House I have a history of working across party lines to do what's best for our communities. I've
built relationships on the other side of the aisle, worked hard on a bipartisan transportation bill, and I wrote PA's
universal background check bill for gun safety, that has earned the co-sponsorship of many of my Republican
colleagues. In Congress, I will advocate for redistricting reform with a non-partisan citizen committee drawing
the maps -- not the politicians.
Q: In Shelby County v. Holder, the US Supreme Court invalidated provisions of the Voting Rights Act, which
has led to disenfranchised voters across the US. If elected, what will you do to ensure that the voting rights of
all Americans are protected?
A: In Congress I will continue to fight for greater access to voting rights. In the State House, I opposed voter
ID, supported allowing voters to register online and signed onto bills for automatic voter registration. I support
laws that allow for easy absentee voting and in Congress I would advocate for funding to ensure that all
populations have adequate polling places with sufficient polling stations to ensure that there aren't long lines
that could dissuade citizens from voting.

ANDREW L WARREN
Party: REP
Biographical Info:
Mailing Address: 294 Shady Brook Rd. Langhorne, PA 19047
Website: http://andywarrenforcongress.com
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Date of Birth: 04/43

22

Education: Westminster College - BA Trenton State College - MA

Qualifications: United States Citizen, 25 years of age Congressional District resident and tax payer over 50
years Teacher intern with Congressman Pete Biester Warminster Township Supervisor Bucks County
Commissioner PENNDOT District Executive
Municipality: MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP
Questions:
Q: Partisan gridlock in Washington has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: Before Americans will ever again believe government is on the right track Congress must have an agenda. I
will seek out like-minded leaders and actively work for establishment of a Bi-partisan FOUR POINT NATIONAL
AGENDA: - Create 25 million net new jobs over next 10 years - Secure Medicare and Social security for
another 75 years - Balance the federal budget by 2030 - Make America energy secure by 2025
Q: In Shelby County v. Holder, the US Supreme Court invalidated provisions of the Voting Rights Act, which
has led to disenfranchised voters across the US. If elected, what will you do to ensure that the voting rights of
all Americans are protected?
A: - no response -

State Representative
18th Legislative District
Description:
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of our bicameral (two house) legislature. There
are 203 members who sit for two-year terms in single member districts. Representatives must be 21 years old,
have been citizens and lived in their respective districts one year next before their election and must live in
their districts during their terms of service.. Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are, along
with the Senate, responsible for passing legislation that affects all aspects of our lives.
Term: 2 Years
Salary: $85,339
(Vote for one)

Candidates:
GENE DIGIROLAMO
Party: REP
Biographical Info:
Mailing Address: 5806 Wharton Circle Bensalem, PA 19020
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Date of Birth: 3/28/50
Education: Bishop Egan High School, 1968; att. Delaware Valley College; att. Holy Family College
Qualifications: I've been the State Representative in Bensalem for over 20 years. I serve as the Chairman of
the HOuse Human Services Committee. I am eager to continue to serve the people of Bensalem Township.
Municipality: BENSALEM TOWNSHIP
Questions:
Q: Ensuring that all voters have access to the ballot box is one of the essential functions of government, yet
Pennsylvania voters have some of the most restricted access to the ballot in the nation. Pennsylvania is one of
only 9 states without any of the following reforms: early voting, optional vote by mail, pre-registration for 16 and
17 year olds, or same day registration. If elected, will you support increasing access to the ballot through these
reforms? Please explain your answer.
A: I believe that the right to vote is the most valuable cornerstone of our democracy. Pennsylvania has made
efforts to increase voters access such as online voter registration. Since January, over 200,000 Pennsylvania
residents have registered to vote online through the state's database; however, I feel there is still work to be
done. I believe that early voting definitely deserves a closer look, but I would consider any proposed measure
with great care.

23

Q: Partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: - no response Q: Pennsylvania is home to some of the most gerrymandered districts in the US. Unfairly drawn districts
disenfranchise voters and make it more difficult for legislators to effectively represent all of their constituents.
Would you support redistricting reform through removing elected officials from the process and instituting an
independent citizens commission to draw the maps, changing where prisoners are counted, and/or
implementing stricter methods of statistical verification? Please explain your answer.
A: - no response -

29th Legislative District

Description:
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of our bicameral (two house) legislature. There
are 203 members who sit for two-year terms in single member districts. Representatives must be 21 years old,
have been citizens and lived in their respective districts one year next before their election and must live in
their districts during their terms of service... Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are, along
with the Senate, responsible for passing legislation that affects all aspects of our lives.

Candidates (choose 1):

BERNIE ONEILL
Party: REP
Biographical Info:
Municipality: WARMINSTER TOWNSHIP
Questions:
Q: Ensuring that all voters have access to the ballot box is one of the essential functions of government, yet
Pennsylvania voters have some of the most restricted access to the ballot in the nation. Pennsylvania is one of
only 9 states without any of the following reforms: early voting, optional vote by mail, pre-registration for 16 and
17 year olds, or same day registration. If elected, will you support increasing access to the ballot through these
reforms? Please explain your answer.
A: - no response Q: Partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: - no response Q: Pennsylvania is home to some of the most gerrymandered districts in the US. Unfairly drawn districts
disenfranchise voters and make it more difficult for legislators to effectively represent all of their constituents.
Would you support redistricting reform through removing elected officials from the process and instituting an
independent citizens commission to draw the maps, changing where prisoners are counted, and/or
implementing stricter methods of statistical verification? Please explain your answer.
A: - no response -

31st Legislative District

Description:
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of our bicameral (two house) legislature. There
are 203 members who sit for two-year terms in single member districts. Representatives must be 21 years old,
have been citizens and lived in their respective districts one year next before their election and must live in
their districts during their terms of service... Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are, along
with the Senate, responsible for passing legislation that affects all aspects of our lives.

24

Candidates (choose 1):

RYAN W GALLAGHER

Party: REP
Biographical Info:
Mailing Address: Friends of Ryan Gallagher P.O. Box 724 Langhorne, PA 19047
Campaign Phone: (215) 501-7455
Website: http://www.gallagherforpa.com
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Date of Birth: 01-24-1977
Education: Juris Doctorate - Widener University School of Law
Qualifications: As a local official, I have proven my ability to listen to all sides and build consensus that
achieves positive results. As a professional in the private sector, I have valuable skills that can help to bring
fiscal discipline to state government.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gallagherforpa/
Municipality: NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP
Questions:
Q: Ensuring that all voters have access to the ballot box is one of the essential functions of government, yet
Pennsylvania voters have some of the most restricted access to the ballot in the nation. Pennsylvania is one of
only 9 states without any of the following reforms: early voting, optional vote by mail, pre-registration for 16 and
17 year olds, or same day registration. If elected, will you support increasing access to the ballot through these
reforms? Please explain your answer.
A: Our primary goal in elections must be ensuring the sanctity of every ballot cast. While many reforms sound
good on paper, in practice they can have unintended consequences that increase fraud or result in ballot
insecurity. I do agree with the recent move to allow voter registration on-line, would accept certain absentee
ballot changes that make it easier for people to vote by mail, and would allow 17 year olds who will be 18 by
Election Day to pre-register. It is imperative that every voter's voice is heard on Election Day.
Q: Partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: The impasse in Harrisburg is caused by a debate over differing beliefs on policies of how we treat
taxpayers. While policy differences and debate should be encouraged because they can result in better
outcomes, we must make sure that we are not hurting the people of Pennsylvania while they occur. I would
immediately support legislation that automatically implements a temporary budget (identical to the previous
years budget) if a budget is not approved by the Constitutional deadline. This will provide time to work out
differences without harming our schools, social service agencies, and others who rely on funding from the
budget. As I did here at home as a local official, I will work with anyone, from any party, who brings forth good
ideas that can make a positive impact for the people I serve.
Q: Pennsylvania is home to some of the most gerrymandered districts in the US. Unfairly drawn districts
disenfranchise voters and make it more difficult for legislators to effectively represent all of their constituents.
Would you support redistricting reform through removing elected officials from the process and instituting an
independent citizens commission to draw the maps, changing where prisoners are counted, and/or
implementing stricter methods of statistical verification? Please explain your answer.
A: While there are certainly reforms that can be made to the redistricting process to ensure a more transparent
process and better outcome, we must be wary of making changes for the wrong reasons. Far too often, those
complaining about redistricting are special interests (from both sides) who did not get what they want.
Providing additional independent oversight, expanded citizen input, and more can achieve many of the goals
we all share without turning away from a process simply to answer the complaints of special interests. It must
always be about "we the people".

25

PERRY WARREN

Party: DEM
Biographical Info:
Mailing Address: 149 Andrew Drive Newtown, PA 18940
Campaign Phone: (267) 337-0651
Website: http://www.perrywarren.com
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Date of Birth: July 28, 1963
Education: Colgate Univ., B.A. with Honors, 1984 Univ. of North Carolina School of Law, J.D. with Honors,
1993
Qualifications: Newtown Borough Council, 2010-present (VP 2 yrs, EAC, Shade Tree, Finance, Police,
Personnel) I co-founded and co-own an 8-attorney NJ and PA law firm in 1998. Started small ice cream
business at age 19. Married to Liz, 5 children.
Twitter: twitter.com/PWarrenforPA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Perry-Warren-for-State-Representative-208103249533130/
Municipality: NEWTOWN BOROUGH
Questions:
Q: Ensuring that all voters have access to the ballot box is one of the essential functions of government, yet
Pennsylvania voters have some of the most restricted access to the ballot in the nation. Pennsylvania is one of
only 9 states without any of the following reforms: early voting, optional vote by mail, pre-registration for 16 and
17 year olds, or same day registration. If elected, will you support increasing access to the ballot through these
reforms? Please explain your answer.
A: I absolutely will support increasing voter participation through reforms such as early voting, vote by mail,
pre-registration. Fortunately, recent efforts to squelch voter participation in Pennsylvania were deemed
unconstitutional. The next step is to leverage technology to encourage and increase voter participation.
America has a history of expanding the electorate, albeit slowly and not without considerable resistance, by
extending the vote to African-Americans, then to women, then to 18 year olds. It is time to make the ballot box
more accessible to all.
Q: Partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: I will work to reduce partisan gridlock in Harrisburg, and I will be part of the solution, rather than part of the
problem. In my 6+ years on Newtown Borough Council, I have been a member of the majority party for 2
years, the minority party for 2+ years, and the only Democrat on Council for 2 years. Through all of that time, I
have worked well with all members of Council, demonstrated respect to and received respect from my fellow
Council members, and we have jointly and mutually acted in the best interest of the Borough. Disagreements
have due to genuine differences of opinion, not due to partisanship or obstructionism. I will carry this
experience to Harrisburg, where the job, and the constitutional duty, is to make government work for the people
of Pennsylvania.
Q: Pennsylvania is home to some of the most gerrymandered districts in the US. Unfairly drawn districts
disenfranchise voters and make it more difficult for legislators to effectively represent all of their constituents.
Would you support redistricting reform through removing elected officials from the process and instituting an
independent citizens commission to draw the maps, changing where prisoners are counted, and/or
implementing stricter methods of statistical verification? Please explain your answer.
A: I will oppose and seek to prevent gerrymandering and will support an independent redistricting process.
State Legislative and Congressional Districts should be based on logical geographical and demographic
factors and should be drawn in a way to benefit residents, not elected incumbents or political parties. State

26

House District 31 is fortunately drawn in a reasonable and rational manner. As State Representative, I will be
able to effectively represent and provide constituent services to the entire District comprised of Lower
Makefield, Yardley, Newtown Township and Borough and Wards 1, 2 and 3 of Morrisville. Many other districts
are not so fortunate, and I will support reasonable and rational districting for the benefit of our citizens, free of
the interest s of elected officials and political parties.

140th Legislative District

Description:
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of our bicameral (two house) legislature. There
are 203 members who sit for two-year terms in single member districts. Representatives must be 21 years old,
have been citizens and lived in their respective districts one year next before their election and must live in
their districts during their terms of service... Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are, along
with the Senate, responsible for passing legislation that affects all aspects of our lives.

Candidates (choose 1):

JOHN T GALLOWAY
Party: DEM
Biographical Info:
Municipality: FALLS TWP
Questions:
Q: Ensuring that all voters have access to the ballot box is one of the essential functions of government, yet
Pennsylvania voters have some of the most restricted access to the ballot in the nation. Pennsylvania is one of
only 9 states without any of the following reforms: early voting, optional vote by mail, pre-registration for 16 and
17 year olds, or same day registration. If elected, will you support increasing access to the ballot through these
reforms? Please explain your answer.
A: - no response Q: Partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: - no response Q: Pennsylvania is home to some of the most gerrymandered districts in the US. Unfairly drawn districts
disenfranchise voters and make it more difficult for legislators to effectively represent all of their constituents.
Would you support redistricting reform through removing elected officials from the process and instituting an
independent citizens commission to draw the maps, changing where prisoners are counted, and/or
implementing stricter methods of statistical verification? Please explain your answer.
A: - no response -

141st Legislative District

Description:
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of our bicameral (two house) legislature. There
are 203 members who sit for two-year terms in single member districts. Representatives must be 21 years old,
have been citizens and lived in their respective districts one year next before their election and must live in
their districts during their terms of service... Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are, along
with the Senate, responsible for passing legislation that affects all aspects of our lives.

Candidates (choose 1):

TINA DAVIS
27

Party: DEM
Biographical Info:
Mailing Address: 409 Harris Avenue Croydon, Pa 19021
Campaign Phone: (267) 567-3930
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Date of Birth: 04/21/1960
Education: Bachelor of Arts LaSalle University
Municipality: BRISTOL TOWNSHIP
Questions:
Q: Ensuring that all voters have access to the ballot box is one of the essential functions of government, yet
Pennsylvania voters have some of the most restricted access to the ballot in the nation. Pennsylvania is one of
only 9 states without any of the following reforms: early voting, optional vote by mail, pre-registration for 16 and
17 year olds, or same day registration. If elected, will you support increasing access to the ballot through these
reforms? Please explain your answer.
A: I believe that voting is a sacred right in this county. Our Democracy works better when more citizens
participate. I would be open to any reforms that make it easier for eligible citizens to vote. Breaking down these
burdensome barriers to voting must be a top priority.
Q: Partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: I would like to think that all my colleagues believe they are doing what is best for their constituents.
Unfortunately, Harrisburg has a group of extremists who will not compromise. We are fortunate in Bucks
County with legislators that work together to get something done. We need to work further to ignore the
obstructionists, and get to the people's business.
Q: Pennsylvania is home to some of the most gerrymandered districts in the US. Unfairly drawn districts
disenfranchise voters and make it more difficult for legislators to effectively represent all of their constituents.
Would you support redistricting reform through removing elected officials from the process and instituting an
independent citizens commission to draw the maps, changing where prisoners are counted, and/or
implementing stricter methods of statistical verification? Please explain your answer.
A: I believe that gerrymandering and an overtly political redistricting process is the root of 90 percent of the
problems in the state. Years of this process have allowed legislators to stay in office without a challenger. I,
along with Rep Brian Sims, introduced HB 1637 which would amend the state constitution to enable a
bipartisan panel, rather than the legislature to draw the state's electoral districts.

Drew Krelling
Party: REP
No Response Received

142nd Legislative District

Description:
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of our bicameral (two house) legislature. There
are 203 members who sit for two-year terms in single member districts. Representatives must be 21 years old,
have been citizens and lived in their respective districts one year next before their election and must live in
their districts during their terms of service... Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are, along
with the Senate, responsible for passing legislation that affects all aspects of our lives.

28

Candidates (choose 1):

FRANK FARRY
Party: REP
Biographical Info:
Municipality: LANGHORNE BOROUGH
Questions:
Q: Ensuring that all voters have access to the ballot box is one of the essential functions of government, yet
Pennsylvania voters have some of the most restricted access to the ballot in the nation. Pennsylvania is one of
only 9 states without any of the following reforms: early voting, optional vote by mail, pre-registration for 16 and
17 year olds, or same day registration. If elected, will you support increasing access to the ballot through these
reforms? Please explain your answer.
A: - no response Q: Partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: - no response Q: Pennsylvania is home to some of the most gerrymandered districts in the US. Unfairly drawn districts
disenfranchise voters and make it more difficult for legislators to effectively represent all of their constituents.
Would you support redistricting reform through removing elected officials from the process and instituting an
independent citizens commission to draw the maps, changing where prisoners are counted, and/or
implementing stricter methods of statistical verification? Please explain your answer.
A: - no response

143rd Legislative District

Description:
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of our bicameral (two house) legislature. There
are 203 members who sit for two-year terms in single member districts. Representatives must be 21 years old,
have been citizens and lived in their respective districts one year next before their election and must live in
their districts during their terms of service... Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are, along
with the Senate, responsible for passing legislation that affects all aspects of our lives.

Candidates (choose 1):

STEPHEN KUNKEL

Party: DEM
Biographical Info:
Mailing Address: 269 Upper Tinicum Church Rd Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania 18972
Campaign Phone: (908) 763-3590
Website: http://www.kunkel2016.com
Campaign Email: info@kunkel2016
Date of Birth: 11/4/1954
Education: MBA Finance and Marketing, Purdue University; BA Philosophy and Computer Science, Ithaca
College

29

Qualifications: 11 Years Palisades School Board PSBA Liaison PSBA Legislative Advisory Committee NSBA
Federal Relations Network
Twitter: twitter.com/sk1154
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kunkel2016
Municipality: TINICUM TOWNSHIP
Questions:
Q: Ensuring that all voters have access to the ballot box is one of the essential functions of government, yet
Pennsylvania voters have some of the most restricted access to the ballot in the nation. Pennsylvania is one of
only 9 states without any of the following reforms: early voting, optional vote by mail, pre-registration for 16 and
17 year olds, or same day registration. If elected, will you support increasing access to the ballot through these
reforms? Please explain your answer.
A: The simple answer is yes, I will support all of the reforms listed and I will oppose any attempts to limit voting
rights through restrictive Voter ID laws or other means. In addition, I will support measures to ensure the
integrity of our elections by requiring that there is a physical record of all ballots. I will further support the use of
electronic voting if it can be done securely and in a verifiable manner.
Q: Partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: There are three pillars upon which I run. They are an end to gerrymandering, open primaries, and removing
party registration from the public record. All are meant to systematically break the partisan disease that has
spread from Washington to Harrisburg. The will to "reach across the aisle" is not enough. Breaking this gridlock
requires changes in how we draw our districts and choose our candidates. If elected, I will work to reduce the
size of the legislature, eliminate political gerrymandering to keep communities intact, and mandate open
primaries to give independent voters a voice. These steps will diminish the power of political parties to compel
individual candidates and representatives to conform to narrow party interests, and give them the freedom to
act in the interests of their constituents and create a base built upon the common concerns of their
communities.
Q: Pennsylvania is home to some of the most gerrymandered districts in the US. Unfairly drawn districts
disenfranchise voters and make it more difficult for legislators to effectively represent all of their constituents.
Would you support redistricting reform through removing elected officials from the process and instituting an
independent citizens commission to draw the maps, changing where prisoners are counted, and/or
implementing stricter methods of statistical verification? Please explain your answer.
A: Gerrymandering is not fair to anybody. It breaks up communities so they must rely on two or more
representatives to advocate for their issues. It breaks the natural connection representatives have with their
communities and leaves them beholden to their parties and the narrow interests that often drive party leaders
and primary voters. If elected I will not only support legislation to create a non-partisan citizens commission to
draw districts, but I will require the districts to be drawn to keep communities intact. Further, I will support
legislation to create open primaries to give independent voters a voice and give legislators the freedom to act
in the interests of their communities and focus on doing the peoples business, not the partys business.

MARGUERITE QUINN
Party: REP
Biographical Info:
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 58 Doylestown, PA 18901
Campaign Phone: (267) 221-0606
Date of Birth: 10/29/63
Education: Saint Joseph's University, Bachelor of Arts, International Relations Major
Qualifications: As State Representative, I have shown my ability to be an independent delivering positive
results for all of those I serve, as well as to lead on issues discipline to government, supporting education &
helping job creation.
Municipality: DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
Questions:
Q: Ensuring that all voters have access to the ballot box is one of the essential functions of government, yet
Pennsylvania voters have some of the most restricted access to the ballot in the nation. Pennsylvania is one of

30

only 9 states without any of the following reforms: early voting, optional vote by mail, pre-registration for 16 and
17 year olds, or same day registration. If elected, will you support increasing access to the ballot through these
reforms? Please explain your answer.
A: Every voter should have one concern: the sanctity of his or her ballot. That is why we must carefully weigh
and investigate any proposed changes to our voting system before they are implemented. What may seem like
good ideas in theory may, unwittingly, open the door to fraud or ballot insecurity. We must be especially vigilant
when it comes to the use of new technologies to ensure they are unable to be compromised. I do agree with
recent changes allowing voter registration on-line, which, additionally, allows 17 year olds who will be 18 by
Election Day to pre-register, and would accept certain absentee ballot changes that make it easier for people to
vote by mail.
Q: Partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: As evident by my actions and my voting record, I work with anyone, of any political party, who has good
ideas that can make a positive difference for Pennsylvania. However, the recent budget impasse was not due
to strict partisan idealism, but rather to legitimate debate over how our state will treat taxpayers, and what we
will ask of them. I introduced legislation, HB 1847, that would permit the PA Treasury to release funding to our
counties and school districts in the event of a budget impasse. This proposal, which has bipartisan support, is
practical, cost effective , and would redefine the politics of an impasse. Enacting legislation that would
automatically place the prior years budget into temporary affect if a new budget is not passed by the
Constitutional deadline. In this way, we can continue the debate that is healthy to a democracy while ensuring
the needs of citizens are met.
Q: Pennsylvania is home to some of the most gerrymandered districts in the US. Unfairly drawn districts
disenfranchise voters and make it more difficult for legislators to effectively represent all of their constituents.
Would you support redistricting reform through removing elected officials from the process and instituting an
independent citizens commission to draw the maps, changing where prisoners are counted, and/or
implementing stricter methods of statistical verification? Please explain your answer.
A: Stating that voters have been disenfranchised is the type of scare language that muddies too much of
politics today. The truth is that every citizen still has their right to vote in any election, even if some people did
not like the results of redistricting. That said, there are many initiatives available (such as allowing more
independent oversight, increasing citizen involvement, etc.) that I would support and will help us reach
common goals on this issue.

144th Legislative District

Description:
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of our bicameral (two house) legislature. There
are 203 members who sit for two-year terms in single member districts. Representatives must be 21 years
old, have been citizens and lived in their respective districts one year next before their election and must live in
their districts during their terms of service... Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are, along
with the Senate, responsible for passing legislation that affects all aspects of our lives.

Candidates (choose 1):

KATHARINE M WATSON
Party: REP
Biographical Info:
Mailing Address: 1931 Appaloosa Road Warrington, PA 18976
Campaign Phone: (215) 343-4356
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Date of Birth: 11-06-1945
Education: University of Pennsylvania, B.A., English, Villanova University, Masters in Guidance and
Counseling,

31

Qualifications: Years of experience in public service; Background in local, county and state govt. ; 37 year
resident of the 144th district; Dedicated to improving the quality of life for families, children and seniors;
Chairman of House Children and Youth committee
Municipality: WARRINGTON TOWNSHIP
Questions:
Q: Ensuring that all voters have access to the ballot box is one of the essential functions of government, yet
Pennsylvania voters have some of the most restricted access to the ballot in the nation. Pennsylvania is one of
only 9 states without any of the following reforms: early voting, optional vote by mail, pre-registration for 16 and
17 year olds, or same day registration. If elected, will you support increasing access to the ballot through these
reforms? Please explain your answer.
A: My number one concern will always be to protect the integrity of our voting system. Our democracy is the
model for the world; therefore, we must ensure our elections are safe from fraud,. We owe that to our citizens
and to the people of the world who admire our freedom. There are common sense reforms I would support,
including allowing 17-year olds to pre-register; online voter registration ( which has been implemented
recently); and certain measures that make it easier for voters to vote with absentee ballots through the mail.
Q: Partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: As Governor Wolf continues to push for huge tax increases and more spending at the expense of our
public schools and working families across the Commonwealth I am duty bound to oppose his plan. The
residents of my district have told me over and over they cannot afford higher taxes and that they oppose
increased government spending. As someone who has spent her life focused on helping Pennsylvania children
working with Democrats and Republicans to do whats right for them and their futures I find it very
disturbing that a governor would hold our schools and children hostage as part of this budget battle. What
weve been doing in Harrisburg is much less partisan gridlock and more standing up for Pennsylvanias
children, small business owners, taxpayers and working families. However since I met with the Governor for 45
minutes back on October 5,2015, I have vowed to continue to try and work behind the scenes to affect change
through compromise while protecting children and my constituents.
Q: Pennsylvania is home to some of the most gerrymandered districts in the US. Unfairly drawn districts
disenfranchise voters and make it more difficult for legislators to effectively represent all of their constituents.
Would you support redistricting reform through removing elected officials from the process and instituting an
independent citizens commission to draw the maps, changing where prisoners are counted, and/or
implementing stricter methods of statistical verification? Please explain your answer.
A: I support measures to make the re-districting process more transparent and am cosponsoring several bills
that will improve this process. I do reject the idea that anyone has been "disenfranchised." Every voter's voice
can be heard every Election Day; a voter only has to show up at the polls and vote. Sadly, too many citizens do
not exercise their right and responsibility to vote. Registered voters have the power of change in their hands
each Election Day, regardless how a district is drawn. I know as their elected representative I have
responsibility to my constituents to represent their views and to be accessible to them - a responsibility I take
seriously. Redistricting issues will come and go, but the responsibility of a public servant/legislator to the
people he/she serves is constant regardless of the geographic complexity of the district; it is the keystone of
representative democracy.

145th Legislative District

Description:
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of our bicameral (two house) legislature. There
are 203 members who sit for two-year terms in single member districts. Representatives must be 21 years
old, have been citizens and lived in their respective districts one year next before their election and must live in
their districts during their terms of service... Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are, along
with the Senate, responsible for passing legislation that affects all aspects of our lives.

Candidates (choose 1):

VERA COLE
32

Party: DEM
Biographical Info:
Mailing Address: UBCDO 328 W. Broad St, Suite 1 Quakertown, PA 18951
Campaign Phone: (215) 219-7908
Website: http://www.veracoleforpa.com
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Date of Birth: May 18, 1960
Education: PhD, Information Science & Technology; MS, Industrial Engineering; BS, Mechanical Engineering
Qualifications: Engineer and educator, with years of management experience working with large corporations,
high-tech startups, non-profit groups and academia. Renewable energy expertise, especially solar and
distributed generation.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VeraColeforPA
Municipality: WEST ROCKHILL TOWNSHIP
Questions:
Q: Ensuring that all voters have access to the ballot box is one of the essential functions of government, yet
Pennsylvania voters have some of the most restricted access to the ballot in the nation. Pennsylvania is one of
only 9 states without any of the following reforms: early voting, optional vote by mail, pre-registration for 16 and
17 year olds, or same day registration. If elected, will you support increasing access to the ballot through these
reforms? Please explain your answer.
A: Research shows that elected officials cater to the interests of those who vote. Of course they do! So, when
voting is easier for some than it is for others, more of those people vote and we end up with a government that
reflects themthe people who can vote easily. Our state constitution declares that we are all born equally and
free and that all power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority. This
promise can only be kept when it is equally easy for everyone to vote. I believe it is fair and just, and our
constitutional obligation, to make voting equally simple for everyone who is eligible. This certainly includes
options for early voting, voting by mail, and simplified registration. (To argue otherwise begs the very
worrisome question, why not?)
Q: Partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: Legislatively, I will advocate for changes in election terms, cycles and limits, including the possibility of
longer terms with staggered elections. I will also strongly support nonpartisan redistricting and measures to
improve voter access to the ballot. When individual legislators are held accountable for satisfying voters of
mixed interests, reaching across the aisle becomes easier and is rewarded by voters at home. Personally, I will
walk the talk. I believe there are good people and good ideas on both sides of the aisle. Government works
best when we respect these differences, look for shared values and then build on them. As a child I learned
that It was HER fault! was an unacceptable answer. We were always told, Work it out. To this day, its the
only way I know how to be. If elected, I will work hard to understand those with different views and priorities
and to find areas of shared opportunity, where we can do good together for our districts and the
commonwealth. Yes, to work it out.
Q: Pennsylvania is home to some of the most gerrymandered districts in the US. Unfairly drawn districts
disenfranchise voters and make it more difficult for legislators to effectively represent all of their constituents.
Would you support redistricting reform through removing elected officials from the process and instituting an
independent citizens commission to draw the maps, changing where prisoners are counted, and/or
implementing stricter methods of statistical verification? Please explain your answer.
A: I support redistricting reform for purposes of maintaining a truly representative and accountable state
government and the elimination of districts that have been made safe by political intent and design. I believe
an independent citizens commission would be preferable to the current legislature-controlled system.
However, I think the strongest solution would be a redistricting process that combines input from planners

33

(citizens, community experts and perhaps legislators) with the efficiency and objectivity of computers that can
use facts and data to generate new voting districts that meet all the rules, fair and square.

CRAIG STAATS
Party: REP
Biographical Info:
Municipality: RICHLAND TOWNSHIP
Questions:
Q: Ensuring that all voters have access to the ballot box is one of the essential functions of government, yet
Pennsylvania voters have some of the most restricted access to the ballot in the nation. Pennsylvania is one of
only 9 states without any of the following reforms: early voting, optional vote by mail, pre-registration for 16 and
17 year olds, or same day registration. If elected, will you support increasing access to the ballot through these
reforms? Please explain your answer.
A: - no response Q: Partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: - no response Q: Pennsylvania is home to some of the most gerrymandered districts in the US. Unfairly drawn districts
disenfranchise voters and make it more difficult for legislators to effectively represent all of their constituents.
Would you support redistricting reform through removing elected officials from the process and instituting an
independent citizens commission to draw the maps, changing where prisoners are counted, and/or
implementing stricter methods of statistical verification? Please explain your answer.
A: - no response -

178th Legislative District

Description:
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of our bicameral (two house) legislature. There
are 203 members who sit for two-year terms in single member districts. Representatives must be 21 years old,
have been citizens and lived in their respective districts one year next before their election and must live in
their districts during their terms of service... Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are, along
with the Senate, responsible for passing legislation that affects all aspects of our lives.

Candidates (choose 1):

NEALE DOUGHERTY

Party: DEM
Biographical Info:
Mailing Address: P. O. Box 68 Solebury, PA 18963
Campaign Phone: (215) 407-5004
Website: http://nealedoughertyforpa.com
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Date of Birth: 1968
Education: University of Pennsylvania, B.A.

34

Qualifications: Neale serves on the New Hope-Solebury school board, is an active coach in youth sports, and
is a commercial insurance consultant to privately held businesses. He is laser-focused on providing better
representation in Harrisburg.
Twitter: twitter.com/nealedougherty
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nealedoughertyforpa2016/
Municipality: SOLEBURY
Questions:
Q: Ensuring that all voters have access to the ballot box is one of the essential functions of government, yet
Pennsylvania voters have some of the most restricted access to the ballot in the nation. Pennsylvania is one of
only 9 states without any of the following reforms: early voting, optional vote by mail, pre-registration for 16 and
17 year olds, or same day registration. If elected, will you support increasing access to the ballot through these
reforms? Please explain your answer.
A: As a State Representative I will work to advance additional, secure and fair methods of voting, such as early
voting and optional vote by mail. The right to vote is central to our democracy, and all eligible voters must be
able to cast their votes and have them counted. Considering voting policies are enacted and enforced mostly
at the state level, it is crucial that representatives work to eliminate any restrictions that impede access to the
ballot box by qualified voters. With the right representation in Harrisburg Pennsylvania can become a leader
among states with free, accessible and fair elections.
Q: Partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: The dysfunctional, partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has been incredibly costly and embarrassing for
Pennsylvania. No matter how far apart the two parties are on issues they still should meet the minimum
expectation of delivering a state budget on time. The current winning vs. losing mentality has nearly
disqualified any willingness to work together and any disposition to compromise. One way to reduce partisan
gridlock is to appeal to the less extreme ideologies of each party; more accessible primaries would provide a
greater likelihood of nominating moderates. Another solution to the partisan gridlock in Harrisburg is to
establish a bipartisan approach to redistricting. The current method advances the most ideologically, yet safe,
districts to the detriment of all but the most partisan stakeholders.
Q: Pennsylvania is home to some of the most gerrymandered districts in the US. Unfairly drawn districts
disenfranchise voters and make it more difficult for legislators to effectively represent all of their constituents.
Would you support redistricting reform through removing elected officials from the process and instituting an
independent citizens commission to draw the maps, changing where prisoners are counted, and/or
implementing stricter methods of statistical verification? Please explain your answer.
A: Much of the partisan gridlock can fairly be blamed on gerrymandered districts. Too many districts are drawn
up and configured to be safe for one party, and too often partisan officials fingerprints are all over the approval
of such districts. It is my hope that the new Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices - their collective addition
have remade the composition of the court - can provide an impartial review of districts and prevent one party
from carrying gerrymandering to an ideological extreme.

SCOTT PETRI
Party: REP
Biographical Info:
Mailing Address: 1293 Eagle Road New Hope, PA 18938
Campaign Phone: (215) 598-8254
Date of Birth: 4/30/1960
Education: BA- Washington and Jefferson College JD- Villanova University
Qualifications: State Representative, Chairman of Ethics and Urban Affairs; Co-Chairman of Life Science
Caucus; Legislator of the Year by PA BIO; former Chairman of Upper Makefield Planning Commission, Elder in
church; AAU Basketball Coach; Commissioner PHMC.
Municipality: UPPER MAKEFIELD
Questions:
Q: Ensuring that all voters have access to the ballot box is one of the essential functions of government, yet
Pennsylvania voters have some of the most restricted access to the ballot in the nation. Pennsylvania is one of

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only 9 states without any of the following reforms: early voting, optional vote by mail, pre-registration for 16 and
17 year olds, or same day registration. If elected, will you support increasing access to the ballot through these
reforms? Please explain your answer.
A: Integrity of our voting system is essential. Pennsylvania has a form of voting by mail through absentee
ballots which allows voting by mail for those who are ill, away at school, or travelling. This process could be
made easier and expanded so that those who have unexpected business travel are able to vote. I support
reasonable expansions of access for voting as long as the integrity is not sacrificed.
Q: Partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has brought our government nearly to a standstill. If elected, what steps will
you take to reduce partisan gridlock? Please be specific.
A: Most legislation in PA passes the House by overwhelming votes. Based upon my experience I do not
believe that there has been widespread gridlock in Harrisburg. The FY 15/16 budget passed timely by was
vetoed by the Governor. With respect to the Governor's proposed tax increases there is a legitimate difference
of opinion. The legislature did not pass his tax plan because, to date, there are not sufficient votes to pass new
taxes without pension reform, property tax relief and, at least, some form of modernization/ privatization of the
state store system. In my committee, as chairman we discuss and debate bills until there is complete
agreement among committee members. This benefits the bill sponsor by making it more likely that the bill is
not amended on the floor. it is important that the legislative process work so the Legislature remains a co-equal
branch of government.
Q: Pennsylvania is home to some of the most gerrymandered districts in the US. Unfairly drawn districts
disenfranchise voters and make it more difficult for legislators to effectively represent all of their constituents.
Would you support redistricting reform through removing elected officials from the process and instituting an
independent citizens commission to draw the maps, changing where prisoners are counted, and/or
implementing stricter methods of statistical verification? Please explain your answer.
A: I have yet to see a proposal which would make redistricting fairer but am open to ideas. A citizens group is
not necessarily a fairer method. How appoints the citizens group? If it is one member of every chamber and the
Governor would the process be any different? What is the bias of the Citizen's group? The present system has
a neutral party with a due process right to challenge the Commissions decision. The Courts have requested
that districts be equal in size and that municipalities not be split. During the last redistricting, a court challenge
was brought and the process had to be redone. Removal of the splits was helpful to communities. Some of the
Congressional districts are shaped oddly though the 8th Congressional District is not gerrymandered.
Interestingly, there was no challenge filed to the second result.

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