Encouraging someone to be an educated voter is a lot easier than being an educated voter. So, TCR has gathered some resources to make that trip to the polls a bit more informed. Below are some brief biographies, as well as hyperlinks to non-partisan resources and candidate platforms.
F&M’s voting district will contain 8 candidate races and 0 ballot questions. We hope you pay attention to not just the presidential candidates, but the Pennsylvania state elections as well. In many ways, these politicians have a greater impact on your daily life, so let’s help you make an informed decision!
You don’t even have to read this before you get to the polls. Read this in line, or even take it into the booth with you. Happy Voting!
RESOURCES
Ballotpedia is a comprehensive list of all candidates in your specific district. Each candidate has a detailed profile, as well as an outline of the specific duties of their office. All you have to do is enter your voting address and the guide is there for you.
Congress.gov is a fabulous resource for candidates, specifically with legislation they have sponsored, or co-sponsored. The website tracks the progress of the legislation from “Introduced” to “Became a Law”. If you’re curious about what an incumbent candidate has really been up to, and how much action they are taking regarding specific goals of their platform, this is a highly recommended resource.
Vote Smart provides any candidate’s biography, voting history, positions, ratings, speeches, and funding. It is a well-organized resource. However, it does require the reader to make an account after a certain amount of searches.
Open Secrets is a 501(c)(3) that provides non-partisan financial data on candidates. The website provides the candidates’ biggest contributor and industry to their campaign. The contributor could be an individual or organization. Open Secrets also provides access to their net worth, personal investments, and their top assets.
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan resource that focuses on Pennsylvania-specific issues.
CANDIDATES
Italicized names are the incumbent candidates.
FEDERAL
U.S. Senate Pennsylvania
Bob Casey Jr (Democratic Party)
Casey is running for re-election and has been in office since January 3, 2007. He is a former PA Treasurer and PA Auditor General. Casey is endorsed by United Mine Workers of America, PA as well as Democratic Majority for Israel PAC. Casey is a staunch supporter of women’s rights, as he backs much pro-choice legislation and other general reproductive rights bills. His website labels worker’s rights, voting rights, veteran support, senior citizen care, lowering inflation, fighting fentanyl, and protecting rural communities as his main issues. Casey takes a more moderate stance on energy conservation, as he has support from the United Mine Workers of America and the League of Conservation.
David McCormick (Republican Party)
McCormick is a 7th-generation Pennsylvanian with an extensive military background. Later in his career, he worked for Bridgewater Associates, an investment firm that manages pension plans. “Inflation and the Economy” is his priority on his website, as he wants to cut back fiscal spending and oppose tax increases. He is pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, strengthening borders, increasing military and police spending, expanding education opportunities, fighting fentanyl, bringing industry back to PA, supporting veterans, and defending the American dream. He also believes election integrity is a key issue that is lacking within the current administration.
U.S. House Pennsylvania District 11
Llyod Smucker (Republican Party)
Smucker’s platform emphasizes helping families achieve their American Dream and stopping socialism. Agriculture is listed as his number one priority and much of his legislation centers around the economy. One bill Smucker currently is endorsing is the BE GONE Act. “This bill expands, for immigration purposes, the definition of aggravated felony to include sexual abuse, sexual assault, and aggravated sexual violence. (Under current law, a conviction for an aggravated felony is grounds for deportation and may bar an individual from other immigration-related benefits.) Smucker also focuses much attention on supporting foster children and families, as his recent legislation passed the House that is attempting to reform child welfare programs.
Jim Atkinson (Democratic Party)
Californian native, pilot Jim Atkinson became actively involved in politics after the 2016 election. Member of the AFL-CIO Union, he now flies for a U.S. Airline based in PA. He sees himself as a strong advocate for the middle class. Fighting for Democracy is a major platform issue as he was inspired to get involved with politics because of the Trump Administration. The economy is a large part of his campaign, as he aims to improve worker’s rights and support small businesses. Other issues he cares about are healthcare, public safety, advancing social justice, and the future. He supports criminal justice reforms and still believes in the need for public safety initiatives. Atkinson always heavily emphasizes the need for transparency and openness.
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
Attorney General of Pennsylvania
Attorney Generals are to supervise and direct the administration and operation of the 40 other Generals to constitute the Department of Justice.
Eugene DePasquale (Democratic Party)
As the former Auditor General of Pennsylvania (2012-2014) and as the Representative of York County(2020-2024) as he had recently finished his fourth term, he wants to protect reproductive rights and prosecute LGBTQ+ hate crimes, protect voting rights, and crack down on businesses that violate consumer rights. He also has an idea to implement a so-called “red flag” law, which would allow law enforcement or family to petition a judge to temporarily take away an individual’s firearms if it appears that person may harm themselves or others.
Dave Sunday (Republican Party)
He served in the Naval Forces, as well as became a prosecutor of drugs such as Opioids and for public safety. In 2018 he became York PA’s District Attorney where he is still serving. He wants to heavily charge and arrest those who have illegal firearms, he does not believe the state constitution guarantees a right to abortion access, arguing that the decision belongs to the legislature. He also has plans to battle the opioid epidemic as well as the fentanyl crisis.
Richard L. Weiss (Green Party)
He supports ending traffic stops; decriminalizing or legalizing cannabis; expunging past criminal records from cannabis convictions; releasing older and infirm inmates; and placing body cameras on officers and anyone arrested.
Pennsylvania Auditor General
Auditor General
Auditor generals are charged with the responsibility of reporting on the government’s responsibility to ensure funds, like tax dollars, are used properly.
Timothy DeFoor (Republican Party)
DeFoor is running for a second term as Auditor general. His career began as a special investigator, investigating “contractor fraud, waste, and abuse within state government” for the Commonwealth of PA. The Harrisburg native has spent 25 years of his life “in law enforcement and auditing, in both public service and private industries”.
Malcolm Kenyatta (Democratic Party)
Malcolm Kenyatta is dedicated to rooting out corruption and waste within the Pennsylvania government to ensure working families are getting the money and aid they deserve. Kenyatta also stands with Pennsylvania workers by advocating for the first-ever Bureau of School Audits. Kenyatta is endorsed by Governor Josh Shapiro.
Pennsylvania Treasurer
Stacy Garrity (Republican Party)
Stacy Garrity is a decorated war veteran seeking re-election for Pennsylvania Treasurer. Garrity’s emphasis is on financial transparency between the state and its people, cutting fees, and returning unclaimed money to the pockets of those it belongs to. Garrity also serves as the chair of ABLE Savings Plan which offers financial support to those with disabilities, including veterans.
Erin McClelland (Democratic Party)
Erin McClelland’s focus as treasurer is to rebuild the supply chain and end pension privatization. McClelland openly criticizes the Keystone Saves initiative that would allow a retirement plan for those employed by companies that would otherwise be unable to offer them. She advocates for the responsibility and certification of verifying the integrity of companies supplied to chains to ensure that workers aren’t being taken advantage of.
Pennsylvania State Senate District 13
Scott Martin (Republican Party)
Scott Martin’s emphasis is on putting politics aside and focusing on the issues that matter to the community: education, taxes, and budget spending. With an emphasis on building thriving and successful communities, Scott Martin focuses on the opioid epidemic, helping farmers who may be struggling, and combating inflation. Martin also supports the overturn of Roe v Wade and is advocating for lowering prescription drug costs in a bipartisan bill.
Trex Proffitt (Democratic Party)
Trex is a former F&M BOS professor and current middle school teacher in Lancaster. He wants to protect reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ rights in Pennsylvania and promote responsible gun reform and economic growth. His campaign has focused on public education and increasing state funding for public schools (increased state funding will lower property taxes in Lancaster which have been used to compensate for years of underfunding from the state).
Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 96
Nikki Rivera (Democratic Party)
Nikki has been a high school Spanish teacher in Lancaster for 30 years and has been a member of the Manheim Township school board since 2016, including a tenure as president. She is a passionate proponent of public education, and creating safe, inclusive classrooms for all students. She is involved in the Gay Straight Alliance club at her school and is an advocate for all marginalized groups in Lancaster. She supports a living wage in PA as well as unions and healthcare reform.
Eric Beezer (Republican Party)
Beezer is “Fighting for the Freedom, security, and prosperity of Lancaster families and businesses.” He believes that the current administration needs to work on its fiscal spending, overregulation, and infringement of personal freedoms. He aims to grow the economy, have more open communication with community members, support a bill that limits Senate and House Representative terms, limit property taxes so senior citizens can remain part of their lifelong communities, and improve the air and water quality of Lancaster. Beezer also wants to decriminalize marijuana and protect Roe Vs Wade. Beezer aims to bring “accessible, ethical, and effective leadership to Lancaster.”
Sophomore Lily Andrey is the Campus Life Editor. Her email is landrey@fandm.edu.
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