Our Candidates
The Democrats running for State Representative are an impressive, diverse group with a wide array of professional backgrounds and many ideas for improving our Commonwealth. Please visit this page frequently to meet the men and women running for office and learn about the issues they plan to address if entrusted with your vote.
If you are unsure who your current representative is or want to find out which House district you live in, click here to visit the website of the House Democratic Caucus.
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Steve Santarsiero: A reformer fighting for our economy
May 13, 2010
Like many of us, Steve Santarsiero was profoundly affected by the events of September 11th. From his office window, Steve bore witness to the attack. It was at that moment that he vowed not to focus on the tragedy, but instead to reaffirm his commitment to what our nation stands for. He left his successful legal profession to become a local school teacher.
Shortly after, Steve was called to action on behalf of his local community. In 2002, Steve became a leader in the grassroots movement to stop the proposed big-box store shopping center on the Matrix property in Lower Makefield, serving as chairman of Residents Against Matrix. His actions made a difference. The proposed shopping center was not built.
In 2003, Steve Santarsiero was elected to the Lower Makefield Board of Supervisors, where he quickly became a leader on a wide-range of issues, such as preserving open space, protecting the environment, making local government more open and accessible and protecting our children from sex offenders. Despite being the only Democrat on the board, Steve quickly became a leader who reached across party lines to focus on getting the job done. He became chairman of the board in 2006.
On November 4, 2008, after knocking on more than 10,000 doors in the Yardley-Newtown area to meet residents, hear their concerns, and explain his platform, Steve was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. In the short time that he has served in the Legislature, Steve has worked to bring over 200 new jobs to the Newtown-Yardley area that he represents. He has become a leader in the fights for government reform and protecting the Commonwealth’s environmental resources. He has also led the fight over a proposed New Jersey law that would require New Jersey’s public sector employees to live in the Garden State, potentially forcing thousands of Pennsylvania families to have to choose between their homes and their jobs.
Steve is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Tufts University and Holy Family University. He lives with his wife, Ronni, and their children, Nancy, 12, Billy, 10, and Johnny, 6, in Lower Makefield, where he coaches youth baseball. His wife, Ronni, is a lawyer and former Girl Scout troop leader.
Other Featured Candidates
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Louise Bishop: A Powerful Voice for West Philadelphia
May 10, 2010
State Rep. Louise Williams Bishop is a Philadelphia community icon and broadcasting legend. For more than 50 years she has inspired, uplifted, and worked tirelessly for her constituents, her radio fans, and her neighbors. Born in Georgia, Louise moved to Philadelphia as a young child. After graduating from West Philadelphia High School, she earned a degree in communications and radio broadcasting from the American Foundation of Dramatic Arts.
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Tom Houghton: An effective legislator, fighting for taxpayers
April 27, 2010
In Rep. Tom Houghton's freshman term, he has proven that he is an effective legislator, fighting for taxpayers. Since arriving in Harrisburg, Tom has been hard at work pushing for legislation that will improve his district and Pennsylvania. Tom, who represents Chester County's 13th House District, introduced a bill to eliminate school property taxes (HB 1966), and he was instrumental in increasing basic education funding, preventing our school boards from having to raise property taxes in their districts.
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For Frank Burns, hard work pays off
March 29, 2010
Freshman Rep. Frank Burns is off to a strong start representing the people of the 72nd State House District in Cambria and Somerset counties. After just 15 months in office, Frank has already played a key role in defeating a proposal to tax VFWs, sponsored key reform legislation to make state government more transparent, and set a new standard for constituent services by having one of the best records of helping constituents at his district offices.