VOTERS' GUIDE

5th District candidates list their qualifications

The Centre Daily Times asked each of the nine Republican and three Democratic candidates for the 5th Congressional District nominations to respond to an identical set of eight questions.

Below are their responses to the final question.

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Q: What qualifies you to be the representative from this district?

REPUBLICANS

Chris Exarchos, 63, of Lemont, Centre County; former county commissioner.

“I have a diverse background as a businessman, scientist and elected official.

“First, my wife and I founded and operated a small business for 29 years (The Victorian Manor Restaurant). I know what it takes to encourage economic development and a business-friendly environment.

“Second, my formal education includes a Ph.D. in Geochemistry from Penn State. As a scientist I understand complex environmental issues, energy development, and the protection of our environment.

“Third, I have been in involved in public service for about 29 years and served on numerous authorities, boards and commissions. I served on the College Township Council for eight years, two of them as chairman.

“More recently I served four years on the Centre County Board of Commissioners (chairman). During my tenure we completed three major capital projects without raising taxes, while maintaining a healthy fund balance. My grandfather used to say ‘before you tell me what you’ll do, show me what you’ve done.’ ”

John Krupa, 56, of Avis, Clinton County; insurance agent and former Pine Creek Township supervisor.

“My personal, business and governmental service experience of the last 56-plus years, all in the 5th Congressional District, place me in a unique position to understand and serve the district. It gives me a perspective of the district that is broad and forward looking along with the knowledge of where we have all been. This perspective will fuel the relentless passion I have to serve the district and succeed for the district.”

Lou Radkowski, 64, of St. Marys; Elk County coroner.

“I am a hard-working business and family man. Having made my home in this district for over 30 years, I have experienced, firsthand, the changing face of industry and commerce in our district. I know the challenges faced by small-business owners.

“In addition to owning and operating my own funeral home, I have served as county coroner for twenty years. Both positions require a 24/7 commitment — a commitment that I will bring to Congress to ensure that our district is prosperous, successful and safe.

“Having raised six children, my wife, Monica, and I understand the many and often complicated issues involved in supporting families and ensuring that they have ample opportunities for employment, education, and health care.

“I know that character, commitment and a collaborative spirit are the most effective tools one can bring to Congress. I am ready to be the voice for rural Pennsylvania in Congress.”

Keith Richardson, 46, of Clarion; pastor of the First Baptist Church of Clarion.

“Vision, life and leadership experience, and commitment to shared values qualify me to represent us.

“My vision is Reaganesque, recalling us to the moral and civic clarity of our founders.

“This vision emerges from life experience and religious conviction. I have a lifelong history of personal sacrifice and servant leadership. I worked my way through college, law school and seminary with distinction. I taught both constitutional law and ethics. I left a successful law firm to pastor a small country church and have happily served two churches in 14 years of ministry.

“I have not only preached, but practiced, the values of responsibility, integrity and accountability. Debi and I have been married 27 years. Of our nine children, seven are adopted from abusive and neglectful backgrounds. I have successfully led a large family and two churches on lean budgets. I will do the same in serving this district.”

Matt Shaner, 28, of Patton Township, Centre County; real estate developer.

“As a husband and a father of three wonderful children, a successful small-business owner, and the only candidate in the Republican primary who has taken the oath to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies as a federal employee, I am uniquely qualified to be the next congressman for the 5th District of Pennsylvania.

“I believe voters are looking for a candidate who is offering strong, sound ideas that will provide a better future for everyone.

“As congressman, I will work to create an economic environment that encourages individuals, families and small businesses to succeed.

“Voters of the 5th District want someone who has good ideas and will have the clout in Washington to represent and protect the interests they hold dear. I am confident that I am that candidate.”

Jeff Stroehmann, 42, of Linden, Lycoming County; former Woodward Township supervisor.

“I come from a very hard-working, successful business family that knows how to create jobs and opportunity for people. I am a true conservative who supports lower taxes, affordable health care, Second Amendment rights, and the sanctity of human life. I share the values of the voters of this district and our founding fathers. I want to use my service in the United States Congress to make life better for the hardworking people of the 5th Congressional District and bring this great nation closer to its roots.”

John Stroup, 50, mayor of Clarion and executive director of the Clarion Hospital Foundation.

“Just like all of you, I spend every day working to make my community better. As a father and husband, as a leader in a number of community organizations, as a health care executive, and as mayor of one of the 5th District’s most vibrant communities, my life is defined by my commitment to making our communities better.

“I have shown that commitment by fighting for the whole district against the efforts to bring tolls to Interstate 80 — a key piece of our region’s economic livelihood.

“Our district’s representatives past and present have all understood the importance of economic development for the future of our region, and with almost 30 years of business and economic development experience, I have the drive to stand up and continue the fight to improve our region and communities. I have stood up for the entire 5th District in the past, and I will proudly stand up for our district in Washington.”

Glenn Thompson, 48, of Howard Township, Centre County, health care professional and county Republican Party chairman.

“Experience and shared values! At age 48, I am a lifelong resident of Centre County. I know what it is for a family to live paycheck to paycheck. As a 26-year health care professional, I have refined the skills of identifying root causes of complex issues.

“I am experienced working with diverse teams to solve problems, including citizens, local, state and federal officials. My record includes developing cost-effective solutions to complex problems.

“My leadership experience includes school board, Workforce Investment Board, Private Industry Council, past president of state and national health care associations, and president of the Boy Scout Council. I am experienced in the legislative process, having assisted in drafting and obtaining bipartisan support of a federal Medicare access bill.

“I have served six years as Centre County Republican chairman. Finally, I view serving as your congressman a calling to serve the needs of all residents in this district.”

Derek Walker, 32, of Bigler, Clearfield County, financial consultant.

“I have been a lifelong resident of the 5th Congressional District, so I have a comprehensive understanding of the region’s strengths, weaknesses, challenges and opportunities. I believe my educational, professional and community experiences have enabled me to be an effective United States Congressman on day one.

“As a professor of statistics and economics at both the high school and college level, I understand the challenges facing our education system and importance of making sensible economic policy in order for our country to prosper.

“As a small-business owner and financial planner, I understand the importance of lower taxes and government deregulation in order for businesses to compete in a global economy. Additionally, my involvement in numerous community and volunteer organizations gives me a broad perspective of the needs in our communities.

“I have always had a love for the people and the heritage of our region and I believe I will provide the best leadership and vision moving forward.”

DEMOCRATS

Bill Cahir, 39, of Bellefonte, Centre County, former Washington correspondent for Pennsylvania newspapers.

“I’ve had experience dealing with the federal issues at stake in this next election. I have served two tours in Iraq. I have worked day by day on labor and federal health care policies in the U.S. Senate.

“I have been serving my country, learning and training for this job non-stop for 17 years.

“Marines about to go on a patrol never look at one another about politics or party affiliations. We focus on completing the mission and looking out for one another.

“I will employ the same approach as a federal lawmaker. I will try to serve the best interests of all people in the 5th District. Instead of focusing on polls, I will try to promote job growth, wider health care coverage and our long-term national security interests.”

Mark McCracken, 44, of Clearfield; Clearfield County commissioner.

“For 10 years, I served on a school board dealing with public education issues, defining policy and making important decisions. Since 2004, I’ve served as a county commissioner in a county that is representative of the 5th Congressional District, dealing with issues facing every county in the region.

“My background, combined with established working relationships with many current federal, state and local officials in the region, gives me some of the best qualifications of any candidate in this race.

“Perhaps more important is my solid record of success as a county commissioner that voters in the 5th district can verify.

“Unlike some of the other candidates, when I speak about things like fiscal responsibility, government budgets, economic and community development, and dealing with constituent issues, I have actual hands-on experience with these and many other issues. My experience is solid and I know the north-central Pennsylvania region.”

Rick Vilello, 42, of Lock Haven, Clinton County; Lock Haven mayor.

“I’ve learned government by doing it. I’ve learned the hard way by making tough decisions that were in the best interests of the people of Lock Haven, and then moving on.

“I started in public service on Lock Haven’s Zoning Hearing Board. The first time I ran for election; I won a seat on Lock Haven City Council. I ran for mayor in 1999 and won. I ran for a second term in 2003 and won. I ran for a third term in 2007 and won. I won because we are headed in the right direction.

“Do I always make all of the right decisions? No. Does everybody agree with me all of the time? No. But no one can question the fact that my decisions are always made in the best interest of Lock Haven, and its citizens are my first priority.

“What qualifies me to represent the people of the 5th District is my experience dealing with Washington D.C. on a daily basis and confronting the stupidity that is Washington D.C.

“Families can’t operate the way Washington does; my wife, Marie, and I are helping raise our niece Sara because Marie’s sister was killed in a car accident in 2003. Businesses can’t operate the way Washington does. Marie and I both have been self-employed since 1997 in separate businesses, which we started from scratch.

“Local government and school districts can’t operate the way Washington does. States can’t operate the way Washington does. It’s time to stop the madness and send someone with common sense to Washington. Send me, Mayor Vilello, to Congress! You can’t do any better!”