Election 2022: Your guide to the 92nd state House race

Democratic candidate Dan Almoney is challenging incumbent Republican Dawn Keefer for the 92nd state House seat in the Nov. 8 election.

The district covers part of northern York County. It consists of Dillsburg, Franklintown, Goldsboro, Lewisberry, Wellsville and York Haven boroughs as well as Carroll, Dover (District 02), Fairview, Franklin, Monaghan, Newberry, Warrington and Washington townships.

The York Daily Record asked the candidates a series of questions on a variety of topics, including abortion, minimum wage and elections. Each question had a 500-character limit, and the responses were not edited.

Here are their answers:

Election 2022: Your guide to the Pennsylvania general election

Dan Almoney, Democratic

Age: 44

Campaign website: danforpa92.com

Campaign Twitter: @danforpa92

Campaign Facebook: www.facebook.com/danforpa92

Occupation: Video Producer

Primary residence: Newberry Township

What is the top issue facing this office, and what are your plans to address it?

There are many issues facing communities all across Pennsylvania and Northern York County specifically. My candidacy is focused on 4 tent pole areas that I look to address. The Economy, Education, Empathy and Equality are the umbrella that I use to group things like property taxes, school funding, our rights as citizens and more. I'm looking for action on a variety of topics and dealing with 21st century problems. Something our current representative has shown little interest in.

What steps would you take to reduce polarization?

My mission this summer has been to talk to everybody from across the political spectrum. I don't believe we are as far apart as some would have us believe. If we can have civil discussions, we can likely find some form of common ground. Let's work on talking to each other, getting to know our neighbors again and build up our communities in real life and not on social media.

How would you handle legislation regarding abortion?

The right to bodily autonomy will be the defining issue of 2022. I stand in support of all individuals having a say in their reproductive rights. Because the current fight is not simply about abortion. It's about family planning, it's about safe access to medical care and beyond. Should a full ban go into effect, as the current legislature plans, IVF treatments, hormone therapies and more are all off the table. These choices belong with families, not the state.

How can we fund needed road and bridge improvements?

Good question! Certainly, we need to do some things a lot differently than current funding applications. PA has the second highest gas tax, but even that's not reliable as the pandemic has changed driving habits. Tolling was obviously a non-starter for interstates. There certainly have been a lot of trucking hubs set up in our area. Perhaps it's time to look at those who are hardest on our roads. Much like school funding though if we want good roads we need to make it a priority.

What, if any, reforms to Pennsylvania's election law would you support?

I'm not afraid of democracy. In Harrisburg, I will work to give people every opportunity to be apart of our elections. I believe we need to open PA primaries, so that a million more people across the state have a greater say in who represents them. I will work toward instituting Ranked Choice Voting, so that more options are available on the ballot without fear of being called spoilers. I also advocate for any number of additional ways to automatically register and expand ballot access.

Would you seek the adoption of any new gun control measures? If yes, what? If no, why not?

As a dad, my heart broke after seeing the massacre in Texas and again by the lack of even discussion regarding protecting our communities from senseless violence. There is very easy low hanging fruit such as raising age limits and better background checks, we could implement. Common sense and common ground can be achieved while we respect our hunting traditions and rights.

How would you position Pennsylvania to be a leader on environmental issues?

The natural beauty of Pennsylvania is one not to be taken for granted. Unfortunately, the policies and special interests in Harrisburg have endangered lives and the environment across the state. I applaud the efforts in Dover to install a new solar farm. Efforts like these by our local communities, can create new jobs and help position the commonwealth as a leader to combatting climate change.

What should Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, now set at $7.25 an hour, be?

It's one of the greatest failures in Harrisburg and a reflection of how our 'leaders' feel about the working people of Pennsylvania that our minimum wage hasn't been raised in 14 years. At a minimum, we should be at $15/hour and arguments can be made for more.

What, if any, procedural rules would you suggest or support for the 2023-24 legislative session?

For nearly 30 years, Harrisburg has been under one party rule. This is why we see very little improvement on things that would benefit the citizens of the Commonwealth. I believe every legislator should be able to bypass the committee process with one clean bill (no amendments) and have that voted on by the general assembly in each house session. Our communities send us there to work for them and conduct their business. This should not always be hindered by partisan agendas.

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Dawn Keefer, Republican

Campaign Facebook: www.facebook.com/DawnKeeferForStateRepresentative

Keefer did not respond.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Voters Guide 2022: 92nd state House race in York County, Pennsylvania