2016 Pennsylvania voter guide

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Polls are open in Pennsylvania until 8:00 pm.

U.S. Senate

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Edward Clifford (L)

Need to know:

• An accountant from Delaware County.
• In favor of changing the way the U.S. government works and dissolving the Constitution.
• Wants to put an end to drug prohibition, is pro-choice, and believes government should not infringe on people’s rights to own a gun.
• Against increasing government spending and taxes.

 

(Emma Lee/WHYY)

Katie McGinty (D)

Need to know:

• Head of the Pa. Department of Environmental Protection under Gov. Ed Rendell.
• Candidate for governor in 2014, but lost the Democratic nomination to Tom Wolf.
• Wants to bring more jobs to the state and create policies to protect working families.
• In favor of universal pre-K, and believes “education is a right, not a privilege.”
• In favor of the Affordable Care Act and hopes to expand it as well as invest in drug-addiction programs.
• More information

 

(EverettSternFan Facebook)

Everett Stern (I)

Need to know:

• Strong advocate for gun rights and believes every citizen has the right to bear arms.
• Wants to stop increasing taxes and to promote small businesses; believes small businesses will help create more jobs.
• Says patients should have easier access to Medicare and Medicaid and state insurance markets should be more competitive.
• More information
  

 

(Matt Rourke/AP)

Pat Toomey (R)

Need to know:

• Has served in the Senate since 2011.
• Wants to put an end to Sanctuary City policies.
• Favors hiring more women and minorities in the workforce and wants to protect jobs in Pa.
• Believes Affordable Care Act is not affordable or convenient for most Americans.
• Wants to privatize Social Security, and opposes higher taxes on the wealthy.
• Believes in absolute rights to gun ownership
• More information
  

 

Attorney General

(Matt Rourke/AP File)

John Rafferty (R)

Need to know:

• Republican state representative for District 44.
• Says his first order of business would be to create a comprehensive ethics policy in regards to the recent attorney general scandals.
• Wants to create a “heroin strike force” to combat drug trafficking and abuse.
• Child abuse and its prevention would be a top priority.
• More information
  

 

(Emma Lee/WHYY)

Josh Shapiro (D)

Need to know:

• Has been the Montgomery County Commissioner since 2011.
• Endorsed by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations.
• Shapiro says he wants to ensure clean drinking water by holding oil and natural gas frackers accountable for polluting activity.
• Wants to treat drug addiction as a disease rather than a crime and to reform the criminal justice system.
• Is in favor of universal background checks for those wishing to purchase guns.
• More information
  

 

2nd Congressional District

(Emma Lee/WHYY)

Dwight Evans (D)

Need to know:

• Democratic state representative for District 203.
• Leads the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative, which has promoted local food sources, funded grocery stores, and created more than 5,000 jobs.
• Wants to make housing more affordable by reconstructing abandoned properties and expanding employer-assisted housing.
• Supports small businesses and does not want to give tax breaks to companies that do not meet mandated job-creation requirements.
• More information
  

 

(Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

James Jones (R)

Need to know:

• Is a small business owner and human resources consultant.
• Advocates for infrastructure development.
• Promotes counterterrorism efforts.
• Supports lower taxes and promoting small businesses.
• Supports the “Healthcare Insurance Affordability Act,” which would allow citizens to deduct 100 percent of healthcare costs of their insurance premiums.
• More information
  

 

8th Congressional District

(Emma Lee/WHYY)

Brian Fitzpatrick (R)

Need to know:

• Former FBI agent.
• Brother of Michael G. Fitzpatrick, the incumbent 8th Congressional District member.
• Wants to reverse the Iran Nuclear Deal.
• Strong advocate for enacting strict policies to combat terrorism.
• Wants to eliminate the death tax.
• Interest-free student loans for those seeking jobs in trades; a vocational-technical skill; or science, education, math, and technology industries
• In favor of strengthening Medicare and Social Security programs.
• More information
  

 

(Emma Lee/WHYY)

Steve Santarsiero (D)

Need to know:

• Democratic state representative for District 31.
• Wants to invest in infrastructure to create more stable jobs.
• Promotes small businesses as the “backbone of our economy.”
• Wants to lower interest rates on student loans.
• Wants to protect the rights of all, regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, and religion.
• More information
  

 

Ballot question: statewide judicial retirement age

Yes vote means:

Judge’s retirement age would expand from 70 to 75.

No vote means:

Judge’s retirement age would stay at 70.