Election 2022 voters guide: Meet the Centre County candidates running for the PA House
READ MORE
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.
Expand All
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 State House
Description of office: The General Assembly is the legislative branch of government in Pennsylvania. It is composed of two houses: the Senate is the upper house, and the House of Representatives is the lower house. A majority vote in both houses is necessary to pass a law. The PA House of Representatives consists of 203 members representing one district each, with an equal number of constituents. Representatives must be at least 21 years old, have been a citizen and a resident of the state four years and a resident of their respective districts one year before their election, and shall reside in their respective districts during their terms of service. The House develops budget packages, makes taxation decisions, allocates spending, and passes laws (including redistricting in collaboration with the Senate). The House also has the exclusive authority to impeach public officials. Representatives also serve on various policy committees that may propose legislation.
Term: 2 years
Salary: $95,432
Vote for ONE.
Pennsylvania State Representative District 77
Candidates (choose 1):
H. Scott Conklin
Party: Dem
County: Centre
Occupation: State representative
Education: Philipsburg-Osceola Area High School, Clearfield County Career and Technical School
Qualifications: Scott has devoted his life to public service and bettering our communities. Prior to entering public service, he ran a small business and remained a loyal member of his union. He was elected a commissioner and served as chair, prior to being elected into his current role as state representative..
Campaign Facebook URL: facebook.com/conklinforpa
Campaign Twitter URL: twitter.com/conklinforpa
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 the co-chair of State Government Committee, I strongly advocate for voter rights and accessibility to our democratic process, especially when we’ve seen these basic rights under attack in recent years. I have also introduced legislation to prohibit domestic abusers from holding elected office, because I am of the firm belief that anyone attempting to use any position of power to harm another person has no place in public service. I also intend to work further with my union brothers and sisters as well as environmentalist allies to seek common ground on pursuing green energy, union jobs throughout Pennsylvania.
Q: What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws?
A: Ensuring accessibility to the ballot box for all eligible voters is critical, and I understand the realities and obstacles to put things into place. Throughout my service as a county commissioner and chairing the election board, implementing policies like automatic and same day voter registration are a given. Beyond this, it’s critical that we work directly with county commissioners across the political spectrum, throughout Pennsylvania, to ensure that the policies we put in place align with what county election offices are able to implement. This kind of honest and thorough governmental collaboration is what we really need and in the very least what the people deserve.
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 have been a consistent ally and fighter on behalf of environmental sustainability throughout the years. My voting record alone indicates this, but I intend to work directly with environmental organizations in the near future to double down on these efforts both in my district and in the legislature.
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 a gun owner myself, my top priority is gun safety. I believe in the Second Amendment and our right to own firearms, but also acknowledge how the times that have changed since then. Responsible gun owners, like myself, have nothing to fear from common sense laws focused on gun safety, which we can all agree on.
Steve Yetsko
Party: Rep
County: Centre
Questions:
Did not respond
Pennsylvania State Representative District 82
Candidates (choose 1):
Paul Takac
Party: Dem
County: Centre
Occupation: Previously, educational technology sales
Education: B.A., State University of New York at Buffalo - 1987; M.A., Southern Methodist University - 1991; M.S., Maryland University of Integrative Health - 2018
Qualifications: College Township councilmember; chair of the Spring Creek Watershed Commission; chair of the Centre Region Council of Governments Public Safety Committee; participant in volunteer and community organizations; longtime resident of Centre County with family
Campaign Website: paultakac.com
Campaign Facebook URL: facebook.com/PaulTakacPA
Campaign Twitter URL: twitter.com/paultakac_pa
Link to position on abortion: onwardstate.com/2022/05/06/state-representative-candidate-to-host-rally-for-reproductive-rights-may-8/
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: My priorities are ensuring full and fair funding for public education, support for working families (like access to affordable healthcare, a living wage, and removing barriers to employment such as childcare and eldercare), protecting rights (including reproductive, LGBTQ+, and voting rights), and making investments in the environment and workforce to support the transition to a clean-energy economy. My success in business has always been dependent on my ability to find common ground, establish shared goals, and craft creative solutions that address the long-term needs of everyone involved. I have found that those skills have translated well into local government, and will take that approach in the state House of Representatives.
Q: What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws?
A: I believe that we must make it as easy as possible for every eligible person to vote and participate fully in our democracy. I support maintaining and protecting the beneficial provisions of Act 77, including vote-by-mail and extended registration deadlines, as well as the use of secure, conveniently-located drop boxes, for use by residents, particularly in lower-propensity voting communities to increase accessibility.. In addition, we should remove or minimize structural barriers to voting, and so I support same-day registration and full participation in primaries by those registered as independents or third parties. I also support extended in-person voting and making Election Day a paid holiday.
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 can — and must — encourage both a sustainable environment and a prosperous economy. I would seek to expand and fully fund existing agencies like the Department of Environmental Protection, as well as programs and grants that support environmental initiatives and empower local/regional governments and organizations. We should seize this opportunity to make investments to support the transition to a clean-energy economy and the millions of jobs that could be created. We should begin to eliminate unfair subsidies to fossil fuel industries and strengthen enforcement of environmental regulations. And we should account for the impacts of our reliance on carbon and greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels and create incentives for innovation.
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 the son and grandson of police officers, I learned from a young age how to use and store weapons responsibly. I am proud to be endorsed by Moms Demand Action and CeaseFire PA for my support of common sense gun regulations such as comprehensive background checks, red flag laws, and firearm safety training. I support legislation that holds gun owners responsible for safe storage of their weapons, as well as keeps guns out of the hands of criminals and those who pose a danger to themselves or others. I also support funding for mental health and violence prevention programs in schools and local communities.
Justin V. Behrens
Party: Rep
County: Centre
Occupation: Executive director/CEO
Education: Bachelor of Social Work from Misericordia University/Master’s in Social Work from Temple University
Qualifications: Served as an auditor for Wright Twp, Served on the board for NASW-PA, A proven record of running a nonprofit transforming homeless lives to sustainability, social work dealing with people’s struggles on a regular bases
Campaign Website: behrensforcentrecounty.com
Campaign Facebook URL: facebook.com/BehrensforCentreCountyPA
Campaign Twitter URL: twitter.com/behrensstaterep
Other websites: instagram.com/behrensforcentrecountypa/
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 promise that I will always look for the best interest of the 82nd District. Our youth deserve the best educational experience. We should equip our teachers with the resources to teach language arts, science, and mathematics. I will work to fund our trade schools and universities to provide research and development to ensure the success for every student. Our seniors deserve better, and I will ensure that we make healthcare more affordable and accessible. I will stand up against wasteful spending and tax increases. And finally, I will serve like I did in the military with honor, respect, and integrity.
Q: What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws?
A: Our election process has continuously been in the news. During my military service, I have seen what happens in other countries when they do not have election laws. I support increasing ballot access initiatives, but it is also imperative we protect the integrity of our elections by ensuring those who participate meet the eligibility requirements to prevent voter fraud and ballot harvesting.
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: The 82nd District has some of the best parks and beautiful areas in the commonwealth. Working together with local businesses, farmers, conservation managers and residents, we can reduce the pollutants in our rivers, streams and air. However, the Department of Environmental Protection has implemented new policies that are stifling Pennsylvania’s economic growth and hurting our small businesses and family farmers. The commonwealth has the one of the largest energy resources in the country with our abundant natural gas. Safe and environmentally responsible extraction of this critical resource will lead to energy independence, lower energy costs and more family-sustaining jobs.
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 a veteran of the United States military, I am pro 2nd Amendment. Pennsylvania has amongst the most comprehensive gun laws in the nation. We need to focus our energy on educating the public on gun safety and mental health reform. As a licensed social worker, I have built programs to educate and empower those with extreme mental illness. I am fully supportive of our rights in the Second Amendment Federal Constitutional rights and in Article 1, Section 21 Pennsylvania State Constitution that guarantees our ability to keep and bear arms can never be questioned.
Pennsylvania State Representative District 171
Candidates (choose 1):
Robert Zeigler
Party: Dem
County: Centre
Occupation: Assistant manager
Education: B.A. in Political Science, MBA/MPA (Business and Public Administration), DM (Doctorate in Management, ABD)
Qualifications: I have over 20 years of management and trainer experience in addition to my education. I have been in local government for over three years, where we: have gotten up to 1 Gigabit speed broadband, solar for our municipality, offer our employees a living wage and paid parental leave, and cut taxes.
Campaign Website: zeiglerforpa.com
Campaign Facebook URL: facebook.com/ZeiglerForPA
Campaign Twitter URL: twitter.com/ZeiglerForPA
Other websites: Instagram: instagram.com/zeiglerforpa/
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 think the two main issues are campaign, election, and legislative reform along with economic justice. Passing gift ban legislation that would limit gifts to lawmakers is an obvious first step. Legislators should be working for their constituents, not corporate interests, and I would push for this common sense measure immediately. Raising the minimum wage is a key issue in my district. We have people in my area choosing between heating their home or having enough food to eat. I am an advocate of getting our minimum wage to $15 an hour. If you don’t support a living wage, you’re supporting a dying wage. Bipartisan town halls for community input and support are key to help get such legislation up for a vote.
Q: What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws?
A: I am an advocate for ranked choice voting and would work to allow third party candidates to petition for the same amount of signatures as the major party candidates. To take it a step further, I would push for legislation to permit independents to vote in the primary of their choice (Democratic or Republican) so they have a voice for their ideal candidate. These ideas coincide with Article 1, Section 5 of the PA Constitution. Good governance means expanding voting rights, not restricting them. I am also a supporter of same-day registration, automatic voter registration (with an option to “opt out”), and keeping no-excuse mail-in voting as an option. I also believe ballot boxes are great as long as the locations are secure and monitored.
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: Our state resources are to benefit our citizens. Protecting these rights involves holding corporations accountable for their actions or their inaction in the face of climate change. The GOP led legislature has neglected this part of the PA Constitution and failed to protect Pennsylvanians. We need to tax gas extraction, have a cap and trade tax on the industries polluting our air, and make corporations pay to cap their abandoned mine and well sites. It works in other states, so it will work here. We need to transition to green energy and provide job training to union workers for that transition. I would support legislation to make these actions occur because we went to green energy in Millheim Borough. It can be done at the 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: I appreciate responsible gun ownership as someone who has lived in rural PA for most of his life and used to hunt. I do not think that individuals convicted of domestic abuse and other violent crimes should have access to firearms. On this note, our background check system in Pennsylvania needs to be improved. We can invest in improving and increasing the system we have to help reduce wait times for law abiding citizens. Generally, law abiding citizens support common sense gun laws, we just need to ensure that we make things efficient and not costly for responsible gun owners.
Kerry A. Benninghoff
Party: Rep
County: Centre
Education: State College Area High School, Penn State University, certified coroners training program
Qualifications: Prior work experience in healthcare industry and construction. Served as assistant Centre County coroner, then elected Centre County coroner before being elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Currently serve as House majority leader.
Campaign Website: Benninghoff171.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: During my time in the House of Representatives, I have developed a history of success in delivering for the people of Centre and Mifflin counties by fighting to keep state spending low, opposing broad-based tax increases, investing in students, voting to advance pro-life legislation, fighting for Second Amendment rights, empowering families, and ensuring constituents receive the state services they need and deserve. My tenure in the General Assembly has been marked by a record of significant legislative achievement and continued trust among my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to lead on sound principles that put the people of Pennsylvania and our local community first.
Q: What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws?
A: People cannot have faith in their government officials if they do not have faith in the system that elects them. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania faces a dual challenge of having a severely outdated election law that has been grossly misinterpreted by the courts. I have consistently supported, and will continue to do so, election law changes that engender confidence in our elections by providing for badly needed modernization and security. Enhancing our current voter identification requirements is a necessary change that is supported by a large bipartisan majority of Pennsylvanians. Modernizing the Election Day process and updating voting records is critical to the necessity of having reliable election results on Election Day.
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: Pennsylvania is home to some of the most beautiful natural habitats in the world. Outdoor recreation and environmental preservation are at the core of our commonwealth’s history. We need an all-of-the-above energy strategy that prioritizes and recognizes the vast home-grown natural gas energy resources we have available to us that are critical to our national energy independence and growing our state’s economy while also utilizing the latest technology to expand alternative energy resources. Without onerous government mandates, PA has made great strides in lowering our greenhouse gas emissions. We do not need bigger government, additional regulation, and small business restrictions to continue what we are already successfully doing.
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: Pennsylvania already has one of the most stringent gun background check laws in the country. In order to keep Pennsylvanians safe, we do not need additional restrictions on gun ownership, but we do need people to follow and enforce the laws already on the books. I am fully supportive of our Second Amendment federal constitutional rights and our Article 1, sec. 21 Pennsylvania Constitutional right to guarantee our ability to keep and bear arms is never questioned.