Term: Two years
Salary: $174,000
(Vote for one)

Questions posed to candidates by the League of Women Voters.
1.The voter ID law for Pennsylvania has been postponed for this election. What do you as a candidate feel is valid or invalid about this law?
2. a (for state offices). Please point out your greatest point of disagreement with your political party on the state level and elaborate on why you take issue.
2. b (for federal offices). Please point out your greatest point of disagreement with your political party on the federal level and elaborate on why you take issue.

DEMOCRAT
Charles Dumas
State College
Website: www.charlesdumasforcongress.com
Date of birth: Sept. 7, 1945
Education: 1975, State University of New York (SUNY) B. A., political science; 1979 Yale University, Juris Doctorate; 1992, American Film Institute, Hendler Fellow, screenwriting
Current occupation: Professor, Penn State; writer
Qualifications: Chair, Human Relations Commission, State College Borough; corporate law, IBM; legal researcher, United Nations Centre on Transnational Corporations; chairman, board of directors, Mid-Hudson Legal Services, N.Y.; N.Y. state Senate candidate; congressional Intern, Washington D.C.; 17-year Pennsylvania resident.
Answer 1. I worked in voter registration campaigns down South in the ’60s where the purpose of the laws (poll taxes, literacy laws and like) was to exclude certain Americans, African-Americans, from participation in elections. I believe that the purpose of this law was similar, to erect barriers to participation by other categories of Americans whose social access and mobility may be limited. There is virtually no evidence of any voter ID fraud in Pennsylvania. All Americans should be encouraged to vote. Democracy cannot work if our fellow citizens, whatever their political persuasion, are excluded from participation in the process.
Answer 2. I admire Rep. Thompson for taking on the task of being a public servant. It is a difficult and thankless job, particularly in a district that is geographically the second largest east of the Mississippi River.
However, I believe that a representative elected by the people, should have service to the people as their primary priority. I think the congressman’s record shows that his first loyalty is to the special interests that fund his campaign and the tea party agenda of his party, which is to block any and all programs and efforts of the president. If elected I will work with the president and other Democrats and Republicans to do what is best for all people in the district.
REPUBLICAN
Glenn “GT” Thompson
Howard Township
Website: www.friendsofglennthompson.com.
Education: B.S., Penn State; M.Ed., Temple University; NHA, Marywood University
Occupation: U.S. congressman, Pennsylvania 5th District
Qualifications: Member of Congress; Bald Eagle Area school board, six years; 30-year health care provider; past state and national Healthcare Association president; scoutmaster, 30 years; volunteer firefighter and EMT, 30 years; former WIB & PICC board member; graduate, Leadership Centre County
Answer 1. The state voter ID Law has been found constitutional by the courts. Full implementation has been delayed, however, to allow further education and implementation time. Proper implementation is a reasonable and responsible measure. Protecting the integrity of each vote by eliminating any potential for voter fraud, however, is also reasonable and responsible. Voters will be asked, but not required to show an acceptable identification on the Nov. 6 Election Day.
Answer 2. I went to Washington to lead on behalf of those who sent me, not leadership or special interest. I voted on specific bills contrary to my party based on principled decision-making. I supported reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program that provides support to low-income families to purchase health insurance for their children. This free-market initiative was important in 2009 given the potential for escalating unemployment from flawed Washington economic policy. Unfortunately my fear of record unemployment has become reality. I opposed my party’s position against tariff relief for specific imported raw material required by American manufacturers. Party leadership declared specific tariff relief an earmark. I led the effort to oppose this and was successful.