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 yearsSalary: $113,591Vote for ONE.Note: On Democratic and Republican primary ballots, voters will also choose members of the State and County Committees. We do not list these candidates on Vote411. For information on these candidates, we suggest you contact your local Democratic or Republican Party committee.
County
Luzerne
Occupation
State Representative
Education
Seton Catholic High School, Central Atlantic School of Banking
Qualifications
Incumbent State Rep, Former Mayor and School Board Member
I hear daily that prices have not gone down since day one. So we are all feeling the effects of unaffordability. My constituents are grateful that I have supported them with a record of voting to cut taxes seven times. Especially for working Pennsylvanians and our seniors. This year when working families file their taxes many will be able to qualify for the new Working Pennsylvanians tax credit that will provide 193 million in tax relief for working families. Likewise families will also be able to qualify for the Childcare Tax Credit. Seniors will be able to get the larger rent and property tax rebates.
The right to vote is the foundation of our country. We must preserve every single current voting law that is on the books and we must work to expand them. In my tenure in the Legislature I have done just that. When the Luzerne County Manager tried to Illegally remove drop boxes I spoke out against her actions and I supported sending a letter to the Attorney General who went on the record to tell her that if she did not restore the drop boxes in the county she could be subject to legal action. The County Manager quickly reversed her actions. I will always vote to protect and expand voting rights. For example, I strongly support opening Primary Elections to Independent voters.
I have been a vocal leader in Harrisburg expressing my displeasure of the budget process. I believe that the budget should be passed on time. So much so that I have signed onto HB 1682 that says the Governor, the entire State Senate and the entire State House, including myself, does not get paid as long as the budget is late. I have advocated in favor of this bill throughout the state.
I give credit to Governor Shapiro this budget year for already meeting with leadership of both parties and starting budget talks earlier than prior years in order to help create a timely budget. I feel this is a great step in the right direction.
Data centers are a pressing issue in Pennsylvania. We must do our part in regulating this industry because the state constitution grants the right to clean air and water. I voted for HB 1834 to insure that data centers pay all costs of water and power associated with their operations. The Pennsylvanian consumer should not bear any costs for data centers. I voted on HB 2150 which requires annual reports on water and power usage. I also voted for HB 2151 which would create a model ordinance that a local government can use as a reference to help protect the local municipality. I call on the PA Senate to approve these house bills and send them to the governor's desk to become law.
I will not support removing local control or tie their hands.
County
Luzerne
Occupation
Firefighter/EMT
Education
Bachelors Degree - Penn State University
Qualifications
Full-time Public Servant, Member of Luzerne County Council, familiar with budget practices, fiscal responsibility and contract negotiations
The most pressing issues for families and seniors in HD 118 are skyrocketing costs for groceries, energy bills, housing, and prescription drugs - making life harder. As a full-time firefighter/EMT and Luzerne County Councilman, I’ve worked with Democrats and Republicans to cut waste and deliver real relief. In Harrisburg, I will fight to lower energy costs by cutting red tape, holding utility companies accountable and by reviewing and ending costly programs - like was done with RGGI. We need to reduce prescription drug prices for seniors, protect local jobs and trades, and properly fund our schools without raising taxes on working families. I don’t talk about problems - I run toward them.
It must be easy for eligible voters to make their voice heard and our elections must be secure. As a county councilman, I’ve worked across party lines to improve the security of our election process here in Luzerne County. Voter identification is required in many countries around the world, this is just common sense, which is why it has the support of over 70% of voters in our country. Let’s put politics aside and get it done in Pennsylvania.
I’d also work to streamline state election laws that make it more difficult to administer elections locally, such as unrealistic deadlines for requesting mail in ballots, and antiquated systems like SURE. I have witnessed the issues with these specific items first hand as a member of county govt.
The budget process in Harrisburg is broken. Our Constitution requires a balanced budget to be passed by June 30. Outside of an election year, this just doesn’t happen. The only way I see to fix the problem is to pass legislation to hold the politicians’ pay until a budget is passed. During each budget standoff, residents struggle due to an unwillingness to negotiate in good faith while at the same time the politicians continue to be paid and collect per diems. Let’s make the budget process more transparent and get it back on track. As a councilman, I’ve passed on-time, balanced budgets by working with both parties and focusing on priorities. I’ll bring this same approach to Harrisburg.
First, I believe it’s important to keep these decisions local and to enable each community to have the power to decide how best to regulate these data centers. Second, in the current era of technology with the expanding use of cell phones, online shopping and banking, social media, AI and more, we need the ability to keep those functions safe and secure. I’ll support smart state guidelines that protect our resources and keep energy costs down for families. I’ll also support ways to use mine-scarred land and old industrial sites while ensuring they do not strain our water, energy grid, or local roads at the expense of residents.
