Election 2022: Your guide to the 9th Congressional District race

Democratic candidate Amanda Waldman is running against incumbent Republican Dan Meuser.

The district covers all of Bradford, Columbia, Lebanon, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties as well as, parts of Berks, Luzerne, and Lycoming counties.

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

Here are their answers:

Amanda Waldman, Democratic

Age: 47

Campaign website: waldman4pa.com

Campaign Twitter: twitter.com/waldman4pa

Campaign Facebook: www.facebook.com/Waldman4PA

Occupation: Financial Representative

Primary residence: Mill Creek Township

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

Politicians and their corruption, greed, division, and dark money, while providing ZERO representation for the people. As a public servant, I plan to put the people back in charge and will work to remove the influence of corporate money from our system - no more stock trading by politicians, changing committee rules so legislation must be returned to the floor for a vote, and transparency in all donations to all candidates, offices, and national parties.

Would you support legislation that would ensure legal access to abortions? What, if any restrictions should be placed on abortion?

Absolutely. I support legislation that protects the rights of ALL people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. Government should have no say in a woman's - or anyone's - access to healthcare. Those decisions should remain between a patient and their doctor.

Do you agree with the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, and what, if any, steps should be taken to ensure free and fair elections?

Yes I agree with the outcome of the 2020 election. We should modernize our election processes and equipment, plus invest in cyber security. There is an election system in the works that has been tested by white hackers in Las Vegas and has so far been un-hackable. We should be investing in this technology & we should be continuously testing our entire government network system to ensure there are no vulnerabilities.

What is your plan to address inflation?

The biggest drivers of the cost-push inflation we are seeing today is rising oil prices, combined with supply chain bottlenecks, and rising commodity prices. We need to continue to focus on more flexible energy policies that over time, will reduce our reliance on gas/oil. The Price Gouging Prevention Act would have prevented gas producers, retailers, and wholesale companies from artificially inflating prices. Investing in road, rail & freight will help avoid future supply chain bottlenecks.

Hydraulic fracturing for natural gas has been a concern over its potential environmental harm. Can the two sides of natural gas production be balanced or should further production be limited in favor of renewable energy?

The two sides of the industry can be balanced, but it requires continual review, monitoring, and strict guidelines for operation. While focusing on renewable energy will always be a priority, I do not equate the focus on the future as the reason to halt drilling. I have a lease on a Marcelous Shale well here in Lycoming County. Like many across the state, it has not been in full production for many years. If the current wells are not being fully utilized, why should we continue to drill more?

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

I support regulations on assault weapons. If our military members and police officers are required to have specialized training, why wouldn't the average citizen on the street need safety training at the very least? I am a gun owner myself, but nowhere in the 2nd Amendment does it say UNREGULATED gun ownership; It specifically states "well-regulated", and that includes age and training regulations.

Do you believe there should be term limits for Supreme Court justices or that the Supreme Court should be expanded? Explain your position.

I do believe there should be term limits for Supreme Court Justices, just as I believe there should be term limits for elected officials. These term limits should be staggered every 2 years so there isn't an opportunity for any political party or ideology to stack the courts. I also believe the court should be expanded. The number of Justices should at least match the number of appellate courts. Currently, there are 9 Supreme Court Justices, and 13 Appellate Courts.

What can you bring to the table to promote unity?

For too long, voters have elected politicians instead of public servants to represent their voices in government. Politicians are out of touch with the people. I am a public servant, dedicated to serving the people, and focusing on working family values and real solutions to OUR issues. The people are problem solvers - we use common sense and hard work to make our daily lives better. We will unite our country again by acting in the interest of the people, not party.

Voters Guide: Who is on the ballot in the Nov. 8 election, and where do the candidates stand on issues?

Election 2022:With the midterms two weeks away, what are candidates talking about in political ads?

Dan Meuser, Republican

Website: www.meuserforcongress.com

He did not respond.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Voters Guide Election 2022: 9th Congressional race in Pennsylvania