Election 2022 voters guide: Hear from candidates for PA governor, lieutenant gov.
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2022 Pennsylvania election guide
The Pennsylvania general election is Nov. 8. Voters must be registered to vote by 5 p.m. Oct. 24
and apply for an absentee or mail-in ballot by 5 p.m. Nov. 1. Polls are open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 8 for in-person voting. This voters guide was compiled by the League of Women Voters of Centre County with assistance from the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania.
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Election 2022 voters guide: Hear from candidates for PA governor, lieutenant gov.
Election 2022 voters guide: Learn more about the Pennsylvania candidates for U.S. Senate
Election 2022 voter guide: Thompson, Molesevich face off in PA’s 15th Congressional District
Election 2022 voters guide: Meet the Centre County candidates running for the PA House
Pennsylvania Governor
Description of office: The governor is the chief executive officer of the commonwealth, executing the laws of the state through executive agencies. A governor must be at least 30 years old and have been a U.S. citizen and resident of the state for seven years preceding the election. S/he manages the financial affairs of the state and must annually present a balanced budget to the General Assembly. The governor has extensive appointive powers, may recommend legislation, and signs or vetoes bills passed by both houses of the General Assembly (subject to 2/3 override). S/he is commander in chief of the state National Guard, except when they are called into the actual service of the United States. The governor can grant reprieves, pardons, and paroles. The holder of this office may only be reelected once.
Term: 4 years
Salary: $213,026
Vote for the candidates of ONE PARTY for governor and lieutenant governor.
Candidates (choose 1):
Josh Shapiro
Party: Dem
County: Montgomery
Occupation: Attorney general of Pennsylvania
Education: University of Rochester, BA; Georgetown University Law Center, JD
Qualifications: Whether as a state rep., the leader of PA’s third-largest county, or attorney general, I’ve brought people together to get things done. As governor, I’ll continue to tackle the challenges facing Pennsylvanians and will move our commonwealth forward.
Campaign Website: joshshapiro.org
Campaign Facebook URL: facebook.com/JoshShapiroPA
Campaign Twitter URL: twitter.com/joshshapiropa
Questions:
Q: What issue(s) would you prioritize, and how would you work with others in government to get legislation passed and signed into law?
A: As governor, my top priorities are creating opportunity for Pennsylvania children by improving our education system, building a stronger economy by creating jobs, cutting taxes and lowering costs, and making our communities safer all across the commonwealth. In order to move Pennsylvania forward and build a better future for our children, we must work together to achieve these key priorities. Throughout my career — and every day as attorney general — I work hard to bring people together, solve problems, and get things done for Pennsylvania. As governor, I will continue to do just that so that we can solve our biggest problems — because that’s how we will deliver results for people across our commonwealth and move Pennsylvania forward.
Q: What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws?
A: Defending democracy is the foundation for making progress in Pennsylvania. I believe that if we want to grow our economy, improve our schools, and make our communities safer, then we need a stable democracy where all Pennsylvanians’ voices can be heard. As governor, I will continue my work to ensure voters have access to the ballot box and that every legal vote is counted in every election. That’s why I released a ten-step plan to defend democracy, ensure access to the ballot, and improve our elections by appointing a pro-democracy secretary of state, allowing counties to pre-canvass and cure ballots, establishing automatic voter registration and early in-person voting, and vetoing any attempt to restrict mail-in voting in Pennsylvania.
Q: Article 1, Section 27 of the PA Constitution guarantees the rights to clean air, pure water, and the preservation of the environment. What actions would you take to protect these rights?
A: Throughout my entire career, I have worked to defend Pennsylvanians’ constitutional right to clean air and pure water — and as governor, I will continue that work by investing in clean energy and clean transportation, adopting the 2020 grand jury report recommendations to minimize health hazards arising from fracking, plugging orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells, and addressing lead contamination in order to keep protecting Pennsylvania’s environment. As governor, my priority will be ensuring Pennsylvania has a comprehensive climate and energy policy that protects consumers, creates jobs, capitalizes on our strength as an energy hub, safeguards our environment, and moves our commonwealth forward.
Q: There are several pieces of gun legislation being considered on comprehensive background checks, red flag laws, and firearm safety training. What is your position on these measures?
A: Every Pennsylvanian deserves to feel safe at home, at school, and in their community — and I know we can achieve that while upholding Pennsylvanians’ rights and traditions. Throughout my career, I have worked with my colleagues in law enforcement and with local communities across our commonwealth to fight gun violence and keep Pennsylvanians safe, taking thousands of illegal guns off our streets, shutting down gun trafficking rings, and working to close the ghost gun loophole. As governor, I will support common sense gun legislation to close background check loopholes, keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals, and work with the legislature to increase funding for gun safety training programs.
Douglas V. Mastriano
Party: Rep
County: Franklin
Occupation: Senator
Education: PhD, History; Master’s Strategic Intelligence; Master’s Airpower Theory; Master’s Military Operational Art; Master’s Strategic Studies, Bachelor of Arts, History
Qualifications: 1986-Commissioned in the U.S. Army, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (2ACR) on the Iron Curtain, 2ACR Desert Storm in Iraq, Afghanistan (three deployments), senior leader of NATO unit in Afghanistan comprised of 18 nations, award winning author, professor of Army War College (Carlisle)
Campaign Website: doug4gov.com
Campaign Facebook URL: facebook.com/Fight4pa
Questions:
Q: What issue(s) would you prioritize, and how would you work with others in government to get legislation passed and signed into law?
A: Infrastructure, energy production, road/transportation improvements, school choice, the right to life
Q: What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws?
A: Voter ID, poll watcher protection, increased penalties for violating voting law, repeal Act 77
Q: Article 1, Section 27 of the PA Constitution guarantees the rights to clean air, pure water, and the preservation of the environment. What actions would you take to protect these rights?
A: I’m an Eagle Scout and respect the environment — we are stewards of the land
Q: There are several pieces of gun legislation being considered on comprehensive background checks, red flag laws, and firearm safety training. What is your position on these measures?
A: Uphold the constitutional protections delineated in our state and federal constitutions
Matt Hackenburg
Party: L
County: Northampton
Occupation: Avionics computer engineer
Education: Rochester Institute of Technology; BS
Qualifications: Former commissioned officer for the Army National Guard
Campaign Website: matthackenburg.com
Campaign Facebook URL: facebook.com/MattHackenburgPA
Campaign Twitter URL: twitter.com/matthackenburg
Questions:
Q: What issue(s) would you prioritize, and how would you work with others in government to get legislation passed and signed into law?
A: The biggest reason why I am running for governor is to promote and pass Defend the Guard legislation. As an anti-war National Guard veteran, this issue hits close to home. With talks of sending reinforcements to Taiwan if China were to invade and war hawks in D.C. clamoring to get the U.S. involved with the war in Ukraine, Defend the Guard needs passed now more than ever. This prevents the government from sending our state’s National Guard into conflicts without a declaration of war from Congress. They will not lose a single night of sleep for using our families and children as pawns to grandstand about “freedom and democracy.” I will make the humanitarian appeal with the legislature and work with both parties to get it passed.
Q: What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws?
A: We should change our elections to use alternative voting methods like ranked choice voting and repeal Act 77 for elections going forward. Act 77 is legally questionable and prone to being abused by people looking to buy your vote or breaching your privacy. It is worth reminding people that Doug Mastriano was one of the biggest supporters of Act 77 in the Pennsylvania Senate until Donald Trump decided he did not like it. Our current voting system is set up so that Democrats and Republicans never have to compete with third party candidates and perpetually use the “wasted vote” argument to brush off their challengers. With ranked choice voting, or similar alternatives, that concern no longer exists.
Q: Article 1, Section 27 of the PA Constitution guarantees the rights to clean air, pure water, and the preservation of the environment. What actions would you take to protect these rights?
A: We should be treating pollution as a trespass violation, allowing people affected by polluters to issue court injunctions to shut them down, court orders to clean up our property, or imprisonment if they do not get off our property. I would not support the use of subsidies to prop up energy companies or allow the government to force its preferences onto the population like what California is doing with electric vehicles for example. If there is a demand for a clean environment, then a truly free market will meet that demand and we will all be better off.
Q: There are several pieces of gun legislation being considered on comprehensive background checks, red flag laws, and firearm safety training. What is your position on these measures?
A: The Pennsylvania Constitution states that “The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.” All gun control measures are illegitimate and I will veto every single one that passes the legislature, as well as repeal all of the gun controls we currently have now. I don’t believe the state should have any involvement in determining who can or cannot have a firearm. If someone is so dangerous that they can’t have a firearm, that person should not be out of prison.
Christina DiGiulio
Party: Green
County: Chester
Occupation: Scientist (analytical chemist)
Education: BS Biology-Chemistry
Qualifications: Community watchdog and organizer, research and development scientist for ORISE, DoD & its contractors, USP. Contract officer representative and DoD acquisition certified, SPRDE — science and technology manager level 2
Campaign Website: greenslate2022.com
Campaign Facebook URL: facebook.com/PKforPA
Campaign Twitter URL: twitter.com/PKforPA
Link to position on abortion: greenslate2022.com/platform
Questions:
Q: What issue(s) would you prioritize, and how would you work with others in government to get legislation passed and signed into law?
A: I agree with my running mates’ responses 100%. As a scientist, I know we must take immediate action to protect this and future generations. In Pennsylvania, I will advocate for the creation of an agency for a just equitable transition. I will call for a ban on all new fracking wells; a five year decommissioning period for existing wells, a program to ensure proper capping of those wells; and reparations. To keep oil & gas companies, lobbyists, & those who profited equally accountable for the part they knowingly played, I will advocate for a required lifetime maintenance policy of their decommissioned & abandoned wells, including funding research into sustainable solutions for all wells.
Q: What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws?
A: I will work hard for the elimination of ballot access laws and rules that discriminate against smaller parties and independents, and otherwise place undue burden on the right of citizens to run for office. I will work to end partisan gerrymandering ensuring every Pennsylvanian’s vote counts, that all U.S. voting systems are verifiable, transparent, and accurate. I will prioritize enacting proportional representation voting systems for legislative seats on municipal, county, state, and federal levels, and provide full public financing of federal, state and local elections, and focus on equitable requirements in regards to public access for all candidates.
Q: Article 1, Section 27 of the PA Constitution guarantees the rights to clean air, pure water, and the preservation of the environment. What actions would you take to protect these rights?
A: We need to act on climate now ... actually ... yesterday. Since we did not act earlier, we must act aggressively now. We must work to stop burning fossil fuels, eliminate greenhouse admissions by 95% by 2050, end all fossil subsidies, and redirect any research dollars to resiliency research. Qualified scientists must be the ones who guide policy. A scientist must not have any conflict of interest. Objective think tanks must be created to ensure the focus is on the health & safety the people, and the environment. There will be no more foxes in the hen house. The people will have more power at the table vs. industry. The think tanks will be comprised of the people, not the corporations with interest in profiting.
Q: There are several pieces of gun legislation being considered on comprehensive background checks, red flag laws, and firearm safety training. What is your position on these measures?
A: We need to address and heal the foundations of society. Gun violence is a systemic problem with multiple roots that need to be treated by “fixing” those roots instead of avoiding them. All people should have access to quality health care (including mental, dental, reproductive), quality education, and jobs. In addition, we need sensible gun laws, accountability for gun companies, mandatory training for gun owners, support for high quality gun violence research, & accountability for law enforcement officers & private security. We must treat gun violence as a public health emergency, We must start requiring psychological impact studies as a part of policy & legislation decisions, especially, in known injustice areas. Treatment for trauma.
Joe Soloski
Party: Key
County: Centre
Occupation: CPA (retired)
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Qualifications: Certified public accountant
Campaign Website: joesoloski.com
Campaign Facebook URL: facebook.com/joe.soloski
Campaign Twitter URL: twitter.com/joesoloski
Link to position on abortion: joesoloski.com
Questions:
Q: What issue(s) would you prioritize, and how would you work with others in government to get legislation passed and signed into law?
A: Pennsylvania’s budget is bloated and mismanaged. Our operating budget has more than doubled, from $20 billion to over $41 billion in just 20 years. Pennsylvania doesn’t have a revenue problem; it’s got a spending problem! I will be working to cut our state budget by at least 5% per year, starting with my own salary. Pennsylvania has the 3rd highest paid governor in the nation; over $205,000 per year. I’ll be cutting my salary by 65% to just under $70,000 per year. I’ll be leading by example. If the Legislature doesn’t go along with my budget cuts, then I’ll veto every budget bill they put on my desk. We have the highest paid Legislature in the nation and I’ll be working to slash their pay, benefits, and ban them from receiving gifts.
Q: What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws?
A: Every Pennsylvanian who wants to vote should have the best and easiest opportunity to do so. I will work to see changes made that will allow independent, third parties to be on the ballot. The Democrats and Republicans do all that they can to make laws and rules to prevent third party competition. Also, like Maine and Alaska, I will be working to see ranked choice voting implemented here in Pennsylvania. That will give voters a better bang for their buck when it comes to their vote. Because of that, better representatives will be elected. I’m also a big advocate for term limits for our state legislators. Implementing ranked choice voting and legislative term limits will be extremely popular with Pennsylvania voters.
Q: Article 1, Section 27 of the PA Constitution guarantees the rights to clean air, pure water, and the preservation of the environment. What actions would you take to protect these rights?
A: As governor, I will charge the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources to continue its work to manage, preserve, and conserve our state parks, and I will enforce regulations to preserve our air, water, and our environment. Nuclear energy is the cleanest, safest, and most cost-effective form of energy generation that we have. I will work to promote and streamline the process of getting more nuclear power plants constructed and online. Renewables, like solar panels and windmills, face difficult and costly disposal problems at the end of their useful lives. That’s a growing environmental hazard. At the same time, those renewables cannot be relied upon to provide the necessary energy to meet market demands.
Q: There are several pieces of gun legislation being considered on comprehensive background checks, red flag laws, and firearm safety training. What is your position on these measures?
A: As stated in the Pennsylvania Constitution: “The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned”. I think that our constitution is pretty clear on this issue. “Shall not be questioned.” I am in complete agreement. I will always defend our inherent right to defend ourselves. As governor, I will veto any bill that attempts to curtail our right to own a gun and to defend ourselves and our families. More specifically, I want to see Pennsylvania become a “constitutional carry state.” You won’t hear that from any of my gubernatorial challengers. Red flag laws are a very slippery slope and I oppose them. Firearm safety classes are readily available and should be promoted.
Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor
Description of office: The lieutenant governor will be elected jointly with the governor in the general election although candidates are nominated separately in the primary. A lieutenant governor must be at least 30 years old and have been a U.S. citizen and resident of the state for seven years preceding the election. S/he is president of the Senate, presiding over the Senate but having no vote unless the Senate is equally divided. S/he is chair of the Board of Pardons and the PA Emergency Management Council. The PA Constitution provides that in case of the death, conviction or impeachment, failure to qualify, resignation, or other disability of the governor, the powers, duties, and compensation of the office shall be transferred to the lieutenant governor for the remainder of the term or until the disability is removed. There are no term limits to this office.
Term: 4 years
Salary: $178,940
Vote for the candidates of ONE PARTY for Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
Candidates (choose 1):
Austin Davis
Party: Dem
County: Allegheny
Occupation: State representative
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh
Qualifications: Austin Davis is currently a PA state representative where he serves as chair of the Allegheny County House Democratic delegation and vice chair of the House Democratic Policy Committee. Previously, Austin served as senior advisor to Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald for 6 years.
Campaign Website: shapirodavis.org
Campaign Facebook URL: facebook.com/AustinDavisPA
Campaign Twitter URL: twitter.com/AustinDavisPA
Questions:
Q: What issue(s) would you prioritize, and how would you work with others in government to get legislation passed and signed into law?
A: The issues I plan to prioritize as lt. governor are working to create family sustaining jobs, building ladders of opportunity for folks to help them succeed, and ensuring every child receives a quality education, regardless of their ZIP code. I have a track record of getting things done as a state representative, and I will continue to use my platform as lt. governor to push these issues forward.
Q: What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws?
A: The right to vote is sacred, held by all Pennsylvanians, and I will always work to strengthen that right for every member of our commonwealth. I believe expanding access to democracy is always the right thing to do and I would support measures such as automatic voter registration to do this.
Q: Article 1, Section 27 of the PA Constitution guarantees the rights to clean air, pure water, and the preservation of the environment. What actions would you take to protect these rights?
A: Every Pennsylvanian deserves the right to clean air, pure water, and a good environment. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case in many instances across the commonwealth. I believe in holding bad actors who pollute our communities accountable and I have a track record of doing so as state representative. However, in order to further protect these constitutional rights, we must reinvest in our Department of Environmental Protection, which has been gutted over the past several decades. We must strengthen their ability to enforce existing laws, as well as increase their funding which will allow them to do a more efficient and effective job at protecting Pennsylvania’s environment.
Q: There are several pieces of gun legislation being considered on comprehensive background checks, red flag laws, and firearm safety training. What is your position on these measures?
A: Gun violence has become all too common across the country, including right here in Pennsylvania. I support common sense gun reforms, such as the ones listed above, in order to better protect our communities. I also support the idea of classifying gun violence as a public health issue, which would allow for more resources to be used to combat it. In fact, as senior advisor to Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, I helped to create the Office of Violence Prevention within the Department of Health to do just that.
Carrie Lewis DelRosso
Party: Rep
County: Allegheny
Occupation: Member of state House of Representatives
Education: University of Pittsburgh
Qualifications: Oakmont Council member 2018-2020; state House member 2021
Campaign Website: carrieforpa.com
Campaign Facebook URL: facebook.com/carrieforpa
Campaign Twitter URL: twitter.com/carrieforpa
Questions:
Q: What issue(s) would you prioritize, and how would you work with others in government to get legislation passed and signed into law?
A: Lower CNIT- Push for PA to more attractive state to manufacture and produce Provide a better return on investment with k-12 education Fully fund law enforcement Fully fund infrastructure Secure Elections Promote Ag Growth
Q: What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws?
A: Voter ID Provide a more efficient system for early/absentee voting and deadlines Voter Confidence -ballot security
Q: Article 1, Section 27 of the PA Constitution guarantees the rights to clean air, pure water, and the preservation of the environment. What actions would you take to protect these rights?
A: Promote energy growth and independence in PA while always mindful of our environment.
Q: There are several pieces of gun legislation being considered on comprehensive background checks, red flag laws, and firearm safety training. What is your position on these measures?
A: Protect our 2nd Amendment; right to people to bear arms
Timothy D. McMaster
Party: L
County: York
Occupation: IT analyst/farmer
Education: Central Penn College (MCSE, CCNA)
Qualifications: Business owner, citizen
Campaign Website: tim4pa.com
Campaign Facebook URL: facebook.com/McMasterLtGov2022
Campaign Twitter URL: twitter.com/Tim4PA
Link to position on abortion: facebook.com/McMasterLtGov2022/posts/pfbid02H9Fq8B3HvomDMoejx2AcuuFuhUvvmbLtuAa2xrGepM9BxTH2a2V9sZvqq27hsftCl
Questions:
Q: What issue(s) would you prioritize, and how would you work with others in government to get legislation passed and signed into law?
A: I would work with willing members of the PA General Assembly to find ways to reduce, on a path to the total elimination of the onerous and destructive property tax. The very first way that I see to do this is to reduce excessive spending in the local school districts and focus on educating to the student, and not to the tests.
Q: What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws?
A: Voting is a sacred right that all citizens enjoy and a privilege that we should all exercise. However, to maintain the confidence of voters and the integrity of the system, some robust measures to ensure that sanctity must be employed. Universal mail-in balloting is a very bad idea in theory and nearly impossible to secure in practice. In this current age, some simple, yet effective means of verification must be employed.
Q: Article 1, Section 27 of the PA Constitution guarantees the rights to clean air, pure water, and the preservation of the environment. What actions would you take to protect these rights?
A: My first step would be to hold polluters personally responsible for their pollution. No more decades long “arbitration” cases and then a fine to the “Super Fund” as a way out. If you or your entity have personally violated the property (or health and well being) of others, you should be held to account. No exceptions or government “favors” for large donors or allies.
Q: There are several pieces of gun legislation being considered on comprehensive background checks, red flag laws, and firearm safety training. What is your position on these measures?
A: The PA Constitution is quite clear and unambiguous on this matter. It states in Article 1, Section 21: “The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.”
Michael Bagdes-Canning
Party: Green
County: Butler
Occupation: Retired teacher, community organizer (volunteer) with Marcellus Outreach Butler, Better Path Coalition, Beyond Extreme Energy, grant committee for Direct Support Fund and Frontline Community Fund
Education: BS, Education, Slippery Rock University. MS, Education, Clarion University
Qualifications: 33 years in elected office (Cherry Valley Borough, council and mayor), union leader, community organizer, serve on the board of several community organizations, founder of local, statewide and national organizations.
Campaign Website: greenslate2022.com
Campaign Facebook URL: facebook.com/mikebagdescanning
Campaign Twitter URL: twitter.com/BagdesCanning
Link to position on abortion: greenslate2022.com/platform
Other websites: instagram.com/mike4pa64/
Questions:
Q: What issue(s) would you prioritize, and how would you work with others in government to get legislation passed and signed into law?
A: I call on Congress to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021 or equivalent legislation. A woman’s right to control her body is nonnegotiable and it is essential that the option of a safe, legal abortion remain available. I support a comprehensive gift ban, an end to the per diem, campaign finance reform, an end to outside jobs for our full time legislators, and an end to partisan gerrymandering. We are facing the existential crisis of climate catastrophe. We must take immediate action to protect this and future generations. Access to universal, comprehensive, national single-payer health plan is a priority. Healthcare is a human right. Criminal justice, immigrants, and tax reform are also issues I would like to tackle immediately.
Q: What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws?
A: As noted above, I would work to end partisan gerrymandering. Establish guarantees that every citizen’s vote counts, and that all U.S. voting systems — including electronic ones — are verifiable, transparent and accurate. I am also for the elimination all ballot access laws and rules that discriminate against smaller parties and independents, and otherwise place undue burden on the right of citizens to run for office. We must enact proportional representation voting systems for legislative seats on municipal, county, state and federal levels. Provide full public financing of federal, state and local elections, including free and equal radio and television time on the public airwaves for all ballot-qualified candidates and parties.
Q: Article 1, Section 27 of the PA Constitution guarantees the rights to clean air, pure water, and the preservation of the environment. What actions would you take to protect these rights?
A: We need to act on climate YESTERDAY. Since we didn’t, we must act aggressively NOW. We must work to stop burning fossil fuels, eliminate greenhouse admissions by 95% by 2050, end all fossil subsidies and redirect any research dollars to resiliency research. We must ensure that workers and communities are offered a just transition as we move away from fossil fuels. We also must demand that corporations that have spent decades poisoning our air, water, and soil clean up their messes. We must make people harmed by ecological devastation be made whole. We must adopt a policy that rescinds the right of serial offenders of environmental laws to do business in the state. We must build resiliency on a local and state level.
Q: There are several pieces of gun legislation being considered on comprehensive background checks, red flag laws, and firearm safety training. What is your position on these measures?
A: All of these pieces of legislation treat the symptoms, not the disease. Gun violence is a systemic problem with multiple roots and needs to be treated by “fixing” those roots. A lack of political will to make a change and an underinvestment in prevention is huge. All people should have access to quality health care including mental health, healthy communities, quality education, jobs, and treatment for trauma. In addition, we need sensible gun laws, accountability for gun companies, mandatory training for gun owners, support for high quality gun violence research, and accountability for law enforcement officers and private security. Finally, we must treat gun violence as the public health emergency. This is more than the 2nd Amendment.
Nicole M. Shultz
Party: Key
County: York
Occupation: Self Employed
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Small Business Administration and Entrepreneurship
Qualifications: Auditor Windsor Twp., small business owner
Campaign Website: nicoleshultz.com
Campaign Facebook URL: facebook.com/ShultzforPALtGov
Campaign Twitter URL: twitter.com/NicoleShultz4PA
Link to position on abortion: nicoleshultz.com
Questions:
Q: What issue(s) would you prioritize, and how would you work with others in government to get legislation passed and signed into law?
A: Misappropriation of our state’s tax revenue is one of the most important problems we face. Redirected funds end up staling out important state-wide projects with little to no transparency for Pennsylvania’s constituents to know where their money is actually being spent. As a moderate third party, I am uniquely positioned to work with anyone in government to find actual solutions without being beholden to guard a party line.
Q: What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws?
A: Open primaries and equalization of ballot access rules across all candidates would be a good start. Up to twenty-five million dollars of Pennsylvania’s tax monies are spent on primary season alone. The number of Pennsylvania voters that are registered as third party, independent, or other is at 1.2 million and growing; leaving a large number of citizens without a voice until election day while they contribute to footing the bill. And many of their best qualified choices may never even make the ballot.
Q: Article 1, Section 27 of the PA Constitution guarantees the rights to clean air, pure water, and the preservation of the environment. What actions would you take to protect these rights?
A: As an example, fracking in Pennsylvania provides jobs to over 20,000 Pennsylvanians and brings in revenue of over 500,000,000 dollars. There is no doubt that industry is an important part of our economy. However, the rush to grow it has led to an oversight of the environmental impact to surrounding communities. I would like to see emphasis put into predicting the ramifications of business practices that could negatively impact the environment, guidelines put in place to prevent that from happening, and stricter penalties for failing to meet those guidelines. The goal is to create incentives that would make it profitable for business to be conducted in our state, but in a safe manner that doesn’t leave us resourceless in the future.
Q: There are several pieces of gun legislation being considered on comprehensive background checks, red flag laws, and firearm safety training. What is your position on these measures?
A: I believe red flag laws could be easily manipulated to wrongfully strip law abiding citizens of their rights. And any time individuals’ rights are involved, we should tread carefully. Any laws put in place to limit inalienable rights should be as limited as possible. Background checks, in this regard, are more acceptable as they are less prone to being used in malice. Firearm safety courses could go a long way in dispelling the fear and misunderstandings surrounding gun debates. If implemented correctly I see that as a positive. Ultimately all of these things dance around the issue that no one seems to want to name. We desperately need to address mental health issues and how they relate to gun related crimes.