Voters Guide: Who’s running to represent Centre County in the U.S. House, PA General Assembly
Pennsylvania US Representative District 15
Description of office: The U.S. Constitution requires that the House of Representatives be composed of Representatives from each state, elected in proportion to population. There are 435 members of the House of Representatives, with 17 Representatives allotted to Pennsylvania after the 2020 census. A U.S. Representative must be at least 25 years old, have been a citizen of the United States for the past seven years, and be a resident of the state they seek to represent at the time of the election (though not necessarily the same district). The House of Representatives is responsible for introducing and voting on bills, resolutions and amendments, and for approving the budget. Representatives also serve on various policy committees. The House may send Articles of Impeachment of elected officials to the Senate and elects the President if there is a tie in the Electoral College.
Term: 2 years
Salary: $174,000
Vote for ONE.
Democratic:
ZACH WOMER
County: Centre
Occupation: Student
Education: B.A. in Psychology from Denison University. Current 1L in Penn State Law’s Juris Doctorate program.
Qualifications: Board Member of the Centre County Mental Health, Intellectual Disability, and Early Intervention Board.
Campaign website: womeforpa.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556749914906
Q: What do you see as the most pressing issues facing the country, and how would you address them?
A: The first issue, which should concern everyone in the country regardless of political affiliation is the continued consolidation of our markets. Mergers and acquisitions of large corporations have made our markets uncompetitive, and completely subject to the whims of monopolistic corporations. We need to break up these companies to reduce their institutional power and help the American consumer. The next most significant issue is trade. NAFTA and China’s entry into the WTO have destroyed former manufacturing communities, like mine. Forcing American workers to bargain against undeveloped markets is a terrible deal for the American worker, and has thus robbed workers of the American dream.
Q: What changes, if any, would you support that would help Congress function more efficiently and effectively?
A: I strongly support institutional changes that remove corporate influence in elections, make congressional races more competitive, and better represent the country’s voters. At present, we have an uncompetitive system backed by corporations, which causes ideological gridlock, except when those backed by corporations want to kick back to the folks who got them elected. If we want Congress to function well, we need to clean up the corruption, polarization, and nonsense in our system.
Q: What legislation would you support to protect voting rights and safeguard access to free and fair elections?
A: I support any and all legislation that makes it easier for American citizens to vote. Most prominently, I believe election day ought to be a national holiday so that hard-working Americans can still access the polls. Beyond that, I would support legislation that greatly enhances the civic education of Americans so that more people in the country understand just what they are voting for.
Q: How do you view the role of the US in responding to challenges facing the international community?
A: I believe that the United States certainly has a role in international aid, however, what is unacceptable is when the United States takes care of foreign nations before ensuring the needs of its own citizens are taken care of. In the present moment, there are massive issues in the United States, and I am quite perturbed that the so-called, “elites” of our country are significantly more focused on international affairs rather than our own.
Republican:
GLENN “GT” THOMPSON
County: Centre
Occupation: Member of Congress, PA-15
Education: B.S. from the Pennsylvania State University, M.A. from Temple University
Qualifications: Former Bald Eagle Area School Board Member; former Centre County GOP Chairman; Member of Congress PA-5 (2009-2019); Member of Congress PA-15 (2020-Current), National Distinguished Eagle Scout Award winner (2016): Chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee (2020-Current)
Campaign website: GTThompson.com
Facebook: facebook.com/TeamGT
Instagram: www.instagram.com/teamcongressmangt
Q: What do you see as the most pressing issues facing the country, and how would you address them?
A: The metrics might suggest the economy is doing well, but at the end of the day people are feeling very different. We have more than nine million jobs open, with an alarming amount of people unemployed and under-employed. Meanwhile, our southern border remains unsecured, creating a massive humanitarian crisis and security concerns. We need to get this work done. In Congress, I have consistently worked in a bipartisan manner to achieve common ground. I credit my career in healthcare, lifetime in scouting, and working as an EMT and firefighter. Each provided me the ability to work with people from all walks of life. I believe the constituents expect no less. It is an honor to serve them and I am humbled by their continued support.
Q: What changes, if any, would you support that would help Congress function more efficiently and effectively?
A: Congress was designed to have checks and balances. This was deliberate and the legislative process is not easy. However, I do not believe the process is flawed, but rather it is often hijacked by bad actors, who are starved for media attention. Every day I work to find common ground with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle. This has led to collaboration on a lot of issues, from serving our veterans, bringing tele-medicine to rural communities, to modernizing career and technical education. Every success starts with finding common ground with my colleagues from across the political spectrum. Building better relationships is the key to success and one thing I personally strive for to ensure a better working Congress.
Q: What legislation would you support to protect voting rights and safeguard access to free and fair elections?
A: Free and fair elections are the foundation of our democratic system of government. It is imperative we maintain the integrity of our electoral process and ensure every eligible American’s right to vote. While I encourage efforts to reduce illegal activities in our federal elections, Congress needs to respect the role state and local governments play in shaping their own electoral processes. Discrimination of any kind is completely unacceptable. This is not a partisan issue; all Americans should push for inclusion and participation in the electoral process. The 2018, 2020, and 2022 elections had the highest turn out in decades, signaling a really positive trend.
Q: How do you view the role of the US in responding to challenges facing the international community?
A: The U.S. plays a critical role in shaping international policy together with those countries that share our values. There are a number of diplomatic tools at our disposal to discourage bad actors from inflicting harm. America does more to support democracy across the globe than any other country. I am a strong supporter of the U.S. Institute of Peace, which Congress established in 1984 with President Reagan, to improve national security and global stability by reducing violent conflicts. We should always strive to mitigate conflict through diplomacy, but as an Army dad, I know we must also have the best funded, highly trained, and lethal fighting force on the planet. And we must be there for our troops when their service concludes.
Pennsylvania State Senator
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 Senate consists of 50 members, representing one district each, with an equal number of constituents. Senators must be at least 25 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 Senate develops budget packages, makes taxation decisions, allocates spending, and passes laws (including redistricting in collaboration with the House of Representatives). In addition, the Senate tries officials impeached by the House and authorizes executive appointments. Senators serve on various policy committees that may propose legislation. There are no term limits to this office.
Term: 4 years
Salary: $106,422
District 25
Vote for ONE.
Democratic:
No candidate filed.
Republican:
CRIS DUSH
County: Jefferson
Campaign website: DushForSenate.com
Facebook: facebook.com/DushForSenate
Did not respond to questions.
District 35
Vote for ONE.
Democratic:
No candidate filed.
Republican:
WAYNE LANGERHOLC, JR.
County: Cambria
Campaign website: langerholcforsenate.com
Facebook: facebook.com/LangerholcForSenate
Did not respond to questions.
Pennsylvania State Representatives
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: $106,422
House District 77
Vote for ONE.
Democratic:
H. SCOTT CONKLIN
County: Centre
Occupation: State Representative
Education: Clearfield County Vocational Technical School
Qualifications: Incumbent State Representative, former Centre County Commissioner, former small business owner
Campaign website: linktree.com/conklinforpa
Facebook: facebook.com/ScottConklinPA
Instagram: instagram.com/scottconklinpa
Q: What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?
A: Protecting personal freedoms, the right to vote, and ensuring all Pennsylvanians are heard. Protecting our environment so farmers can continue to produce, the outdoors can be enjoyed, and our children have a future home. Protecting workers’ rights. We need to ensure that every worker in the Commonwealth receives good wages and is treated with dignity in the workplace.
Q: What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?
A: My election package would address the issues that have arisen. It would allow pre-canvassing and put in clearer guidelines for the system. We also need to step back and publicly appreciate and support the public servants who step forward year after year to ensure our elections are fair and secure. Public officials need to step forward and clearly articulate the process to regain trust where it has been lost. The procedures are in place and need to be publicized over and over again.
Q: What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?
A: The governor’s budget proposal goes a long way to address the education funding issues we face. The initiatives he has put forth on reforming higher education and the bold investments he has put toward public schools are a great starting point for the discussion that will unfold. I look forward to working with him and my colleagues to address the need this ruling clearly illustrates.
Q: What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?
A: Big government should not tell us what we can do with our bodies, who we can love, and who we must worship. The right to bodily autonomy should be enshrined in the Pennsylvania Constitution. Full stop.
Republican:
MARIE LIBRIZZI
County: Centre
Facebook: facebook.com/electmarielibrizzi
Did not respond to questions.
House District 82
Vote for ONE.
Democratic:
PAUL TAKAC
County: Centre
Did not respond to questions.
Republican:
Therese Hollen
Party: Rep
County: Centre
Did not respond to questions.
House District 171
Vote for ONE.
Democratic:
No candidate filed.
Republican:
KERRY A. BENNINGHOFF
County: Centre
Campaign website: benninghoff171.com
Did not respond to questions.
