Term: Four years
Salary: $78,314
(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
John Wozniak
Johnstown
Date of birth: March 21, 1956
Education: 1974, Johnstown High School, 1978, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (B.A. economics)
Occupation: State senator
Qualifications: Seniority and influence are valuable assets for an effective state senator. Those assets combined with my dedication to the people of my district have made me the best senator for this district.
Answer 1. From the very beginning of this discussion I have said that voter ID is a solution in search of a problem. It is an unnecessary restriction that only results in disenfranchising Pennsylvanians. Voter ID is a disgraceful distraction from the real problems that face Pennsylvanians, like education and jobs. It is important for voters to know that for this election, you do not need your ID to vote. I commend the Supreme Court for their decision and I think now we have to focus on getting voters their IDs for future elections, and it’s time for us legislators to refocus on the real issues.
Answer 2. Throughout my entire career I have been an independent voice in the legislature, working for the people of my district instead of my political party. For example, I am proud of earning my NRA endorsement and A+ NRA rating. I will continue to support my constituents’ right to protect themselves and protect the rights of sportsmen across the commonwealth. I will always stand for the rights of gun owners in this commonwealth, despite how my party may want me to vote.
REPUBLICAN
Timothy P. Houser
Ebensburg
Website: HouserforPASenate.com
Date of birth: Aug. 15, 1957
Education: B.S., music education (Penn State) diploma: Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science
Occupation: Small businessman and owner and operator of Houser Askew Funeral Homes
Qualifications: Served 18 years on the Ebensburg Business District Authority (an appointment by Ebensburg Borough Council) and served two terms as its president. One of the founding members of the Ebensburg Potatofest now in its 22nd year. Served as a Republican Committeeman in Cambria County for many years.
Answer 1. It’s common sense that we do what we must to preserve the constitutional right of one person, one vote to prevent the voter fraud that’s been reported in places like Philadelphia. Considering that in this day and age, it is nearly impossible to function without a valid form of identification, I also felt it was reasonable to require this prior to voting. I did agree that the commonwealth should provide free access to those legal voters who otherwise did not have a valid form of identification to ensure no one’s right to vote was infringed upon. Equally, I did not think it was proper for Washington, D.C. liberals to come here and try to impose their skewed politics on us.
Answer 2. I would have opposed the Corbett administration’s proposed education spending cuts to our local schools — to help educate our children and to protect property taxpayers. Ultimately, these cuts were restored — just as they should have been. In these tough times we are all forced to make an effort to spend wisely in our homes and small businesses — and we should demand our government do the same. After facing a $4 billion deficit, it is just common sense that in a $28 billion state budget (which grew more than $8 billion in just eight years) that there are many places to eliminate duplication, end outdated or ineffective programs, and cut waste, fraud and abuse to protect taxpayers and our priorities.