Election 2022: Your guide to the candidates for the 178th State House district
Republican Kristin Marcell and Democrat Ilya Breyman are vying for a chance to represent the 178th district in the state House.
Here's where the candidates stand on the issues.
Ilya Breyman
Age: 37
Party: Democratic
Occupation: Entrepreneur
Town of residence: Northampton
Timestamp Email Address Candidate name (as appears on ballot) Legislative district Age (as of date of election) Party Campaign website Campaign Twitter Campaign Facebook Occupation Primary residence municipality
Q: What steps would you take to reduce polarization?
A: I will actively invite my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to work on bills together and will never refuse an invitation to collaborate on bills that can benefit my constituents and Pennsylvania. I will avoid using generalizations like “All Republicans” or “All conservatives” or “any Trump supporter” etc. I will put my constituents and my country over party establishment and special interests.
How would you handle legislation regarding abortion?
I will strongly oppose any bills that would criminalize reproductive healthcare or would enable such criminalization by executive or legislative action in the future. I will also work to protect the privacy of Pennsylvanian women as they make these difficult, sensitive, and personal decisions.
How can we fund needed road and bridge improvements?
We will receive the bipartisan Infrastructure Act funding, which we should use in collaboration with local communities. It will unfortunately not be enough. Given the inflationary pressures, I am not a proponent of PPP that would result in additional tolls paid by motorists and businesses. So PA will have to explore funding models which are likely going to be an unavoidable burden on families. We can minimize that burden by embracing modern project management and strategic planning tools.
What, if any, reforms to Pennsylvania's election law would you support?
While we should view the fundamental principles of government by the people as inviolable, there are many ways we should innovate our elections to make them safer, more secure, and more representative of the will of the people. We should repeal closed primaries, implement ranked choice voting and campaign finance reform while continuing efforts to end partisan gerrymandering, and protect our elections from cyber threats.
Would you seek the adoption of any new gun control measures? If yes, what? If no, why not?
I believe in life-saving gun laws that don’t infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans. I would support red flag laws that allow for temporary revocation of gun access for those deemed to be an extreme risk to themselves and/or others. Universal background checks for private sales would be an effective measure if implemented at the federal level. I also support implementing child access prevention laws.
How would you position Pennsylvania to be a leader on environmental issues?
We all want ourselves and our children to breathe fresh air, drink clean water, and enjoy our beautiful state’s natural wonders. In fact, in 1971, PA voters enshrined this in our Constitution by a 4:1 margin. We should make smart investments in the clean energy economy and tomorrow's workforce. Done responsibly, this will result in a net job increase, which means we should incentivize transition and offer reskilling opportunities for those who might lose their traditional energy jobs.
What should Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, now set at $7.25 an hour, be?
Gradually raise it to $15; then index it annually to inflation, ensuring that we solve this problem once and for all, and we don't have to have this fight again in 20 years. It is hypocritical for PA legislators to accept pay raises year after year, adjusted for inflation, while they deny Pennsylvania’s minimum wage workers the same
What, if any, procedural rules would you suggest or support for the 2023-24 legislative session?
We should change what the chairs of the legislative committees should have the power to do without a vote of their committee. No chair should have the power to kill a piece of legislation unilaterally by refusing to allow their committee to even consider any given bill, even when the bill may have bipartisan support. We have seen this particular power used often, not to our benefit, but to benefit extreme agendas pushed by party insiders and the special interests who bankroll them
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Kristin Marcell
Age: 44
Party: Republican
Website | Facebook
Occupation: Communications
Town of residence: Wrightstown
Q: What steps would you take to reduce polarization?
A: Here at home as an elected official, I have worked with people of all parties to achieve positive results. In Harrisburg, I will do the same and continue to listen to everyone on the issues that matter to them.
How would you handle legislation regarding abortion?
The same way I will handle all legislation: by carefully examining the proposed legislation to determine what it says and what it would do, and listening to all interested stakeholders to learn their views, before making a decision on how to move forward. Regarding abortion specifically, I will always support exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother.
How can we fund needed road and bridge improvements?
PA increased the gas tax for this very reason just a few years ago. What we must do now is ensure those monies are properly allocated while also reducing barriers to the start of construction starting and eliminating artificial cost increases on projects so funding goes farther.
What, if any, reforms to Pennsylvania's election law would you support?
I understand this issue personally because, as a local candidate in 2021, I had to wait nearly six weeks for election results. As State Representative, I will work for commonsense reforms that improve the integrity and security of the voting process and help restore the public’s trust — regardless of political party. These include: ensuring the accuracy of all voter rolls, prohibiting unsecured dropboxes, and banning outside money from funding election operations.
Would you seek the adoption of any new gun control measures? If yes, what? If no, why not?
As noted above, I will look at all legislation carefully before giving a blanket “yes” or “no” statement. Along with supporting commonsense measures, I also believe we must focus on root causes — punishing criminals who use guns, improving our mental health programs, and expanding violence prevention programs. I am proud to be endorsed by the Bucks County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 53 and believe we must fund our police, punish criminals, and stop the creep of crime into our community.
How would you position Pennsylvania to be a leader on environmental issues?
I believe we must create a comprehensive plan to address environmental issues that balances the need to ensure continued economic success in our state (and for our families) with the goal of environmental preservation. A piecemeal approach (as seems to be followed now) will not be successful.
What should Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, now set at $7.25 an hour, be?
I am comfortable with a small increase in the minimum wage to offset inflationary factors since it was last adjusted in 2009. I would need to meet with economists, small business owners, workers and others before determining an amount. Artificially choosing a figure is not the proper path forward as it will only make our current inflation issues worse and over-burden small businesses thereby harming our economy more.
What, if any, procedural rules would you suggest or support for the 2023-24 legislative session?
Candidate did not respond to this question.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Voters Guide 2022: Race for Pennsylvania's 178th legislative district
