Election 2022: Your guide to the candidates for Pennsylvania governor
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Voters head to the polls Nov. 8 to choose Pennsylvania's next governor. Here's where the candidates stand on the issues.
Douglas Mastriano
Age: 58
Party: Republican
Occupation: State senator
Town of residence: Greene Township
Q: What is the top issue facing this office, and what are your plans to address it?
A: Our economy has been completely stifled by the disastrous Democrat policies of President Joe Biden and Governor Tom Wolf. Pennsylvania has extraordinary potential to be one of the most prosperous states in the country — which is why I will rebuild our economic engine by slashing regulations, lowering taxes, and unleashing the energy sector.
Our commonwealth is in desperate need of new and bold leadership. The status quo has had predictable results. We are falling behind the rest of the nation when it comes to quality of education, job creation, and wage growth. We also have one of the worst regulatory environments in the nation.
I'm running for Governor to restore freedom, rebuild families, and revive the economy.
Would you support legislation that would ensure legal access to abortions? What, if any restrictions should be placed on abortion?
It is ultimately up to the people of Pennsylvania and their representatives in the General Assembly to determine future state laws regarding abortion. As governor, I will have no unilateral power on this issue. I can only sign or veto what the legislature sends me on this issue. My administration will back legislation that supports the right to life, and spearhead reforms to our adoption and foster care programs to make it easier for kids to find families.
I personally believe that all life is precious, and I will veto any radical legislation that would seek to expand abortion to the point of birth.
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?
The 2020 election was the most lawless in history. The COVID-19 pandemic was used as an excuse to suspend and violate laws designed to protect the sanctity of the vote. I believe in free and fair elections — which is why I will appoint a Secretary of State who will secure our elections from fraud. I'll partner with the legislature to eliminate "no-excuse" mail-in voting, get rid of drop boxes, and pass universal voter ID.
What is your plan to improve Pennsylvania education funding?
I will fully fund our schools and teachers, protect students, and empower parents. Unlike my opponent, I believe schools should be educating — not indoctrinating — our children. I also believe that parents — not bureaucrats — should have a final say over how we raise our kids. My administration will ban Critical Race Theory and Gender Theory studies, expand school choice, improve teacher recruitment and retention, and invest in additional vo-tech classrooms and instructors. We must do a better job of preparing our youth for good paying jobs in the future.
What steps would you take to address inflation?
My administration will cut taxes and reduce regulation. The best way to combat inflation is to reduce the size of government and reboot our economy. While we can’t control spending on the federal level, we can slash draconian state regulations and reduce the size of our own bureaucracy. I also will put more money in the hands of Pennsylvanians by lowering the tax burden. My administration will work to end all school property taxes, phase out the unfair “inheritance tax,” and slash the gas tax so drivers can save money at the pumps. Creating more wealth and jobs across Pennsylvania will help ease the burden of inflation on the Commonwealth. We must also work to streamline our permit approval process, slash burdensome regulations, and accelerate a phased reduction of the Corporate Net Income Tax rate.
Would you seek the adoption of any new gun control measures? If yes, what? If no, why not?
Under my administration, Pennsylvania will become a "2nd Amendment Sanctuary" that will protect our rights from misguided federal bureaucrats who want to disarm law-abiding citizens. I will work with the state legislature to make the Commonwealth a safe, constitutional carry state.
How can we fund needed road and bridge improvements?
As governor, I will cut waste and abuse in the annual budget, freeing up additional funding to be allocated towards our local roads and bridges. I believe that we can work to close the funding gap without placing additional financial burdens on residents. I will also ensure that 100% of the motor license fund goes to road and bridge repairs.
What can you bring to the table to promote unity?
Unity is not an impossible objective because Pennsylvanians all want the same basic things. We want a government that revives — not regulates — small businesses. We want policies that stimulate — not suffocate — our job growth. We want schools that teach reading — not racism — to our children. As governor, I will pursue these simple goals to help usher in a brighter future for all of Pennsylvania.
What should Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, now set at $7.25 an hour, be?
A tight labor market naturally drives up wages across all sectors of the economy. My economic plan to bring new investment and jobs to PA will result in higher wages across the board. Every business is unique. Some employers may be forced to fire some of their employees if the state mandates a new minimum wage. I trust small business owners and other employers to raise their wages as they see fit. It is not the government’s job to make that decision for them.
How would you position Pennsylvania to be a leader on environmental issues?
On day one, I will take Pennsylvania out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative — it is a cabal intended to place erroneous restrictions on our economy. We are going to unleash our energy sector and protect our environment at the same time — we can do both.
Increased natural gas usage in Pennsylvania has reduced CO2 emissions in the state by as much as 92 percent. We can continue reducing CO2 emissions by making our state more attractive for natural gas investment and exploration. I’ll reinvest the new revenue from impact fees and direct it towards improving and expanding the State Park system. I’ll work to bring two Hydrogen Hubs to Pennsylvania by creating “Hydrogen Opportunity Zones” in Southwest and Northeast Pennsylvania. These hubs will bring together industry, local businesses, and local stakeholders to develop and deploy hydrogen and fuel cell projects. I`ll empower County Conservation Districts to conserve natural resources and keep our waterways clean. One size does not fit all, and the counties understand their unique needs better than distant bureaucrats in Harrisburg.
For subscribers:COVID created Doug Mastriano’s governor candidacy in PA. Now we can’t take our eyes off it
For subscribers:A 3rd term for Tom Wolf? How Josh Shapiro contrasts with his opponent & current Pa. governor
More on Election 2022:Your guide to the candidates for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania
Josh Shapiro
Age: 49
Party: Democratic
Occupation: Pennsylvania Attorney General
Town of residence: Abington
Q: What is the top issue facing this office, and what are your plans to address it?
A: As Governor, my top priorities are creating opportunity for Pennsylvania children by improving our education system, building a stronger economy by creating jobs, cutting taxes and lowering costs, and making our communities safer all across the Commonwealth. In order to move Pennsylvania forward and build a better future for our children, we must work together to achieve these key priorities.
A strong economy, good schools, and safe communities are the pillars of my vision for Pennsylvania.
Would you support legislation that would ensure legal access to abortions? What, if any restrictions should be placed on abortion?
Throughout my career, I have always fought to protect reproductive rights — and as Governor, I will continue to stand with Pennsylvania women and ensure we protect and expand access to reproductive health care.
In contrast, my opponent has said that his number one priority is to ban abortion — without exceptions for rape, incest, or the life of the mother. It’s clear now more than ever that the rights of women to have control over their own bodies and our fundamental freedoms are on the line.
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?
Throughout the 2020 election, I went to court dozens of times to ensure every legal vote was counted. As Governor, I will work with Republicans and Democrats to ensure that voters have access to the ballot box and that every legal vote is counted in every election.
In contrast, my opponent has said that he could decertify all of the state’s voting machines and that he has a plan to force every Pennsylvania voter to re-register.
It’s clear that he is a threat to our democracy.
What is your plan to improve Pennsylvania education funding?
As Governor, my priority will be to ensure that every child receives a quality education no matter what zip code they are born in — and that requires fully funding our schools. I will also ensure our children receive all the resources they need to succeed.
I will also ensure our children receive the resources they need to learn, end our reliance on standardized tests, put at least one mental health counselor in every school and provide students with vocational, technical, and computer training.
What steps would you take to address inflation?
I know that as Pennsylvanians struggle with rising costs, we must take action to deliver real relief for families across our Commonwealth. That is why I have a plan to cut taxes for working families, lower costs, eliminate the state cell phone tax, invest in our workforce, and put money back in Pennsylvanians’ pockets.
As Governor, I will build an economy that creates good-paying jobs, attracts businesses to Pennsylvania, and works for everyone.
Would you seek the adoption of any new gun control measures? If yes, what? If no, why not?
Throughout my career, I have worked with law enforcement and local communities to fight gun violence and deployed my Strategic Response Teams to hot spots across the Commonwealth, where our agents worked with local law enforcement.
However, there is still so much more that needs to be done — as Governor, I'll work to close loopholes for background checks and ghost gun purchasing, sign a red flag law, and work with federal, state, and local officials to make our communities safer.
How can we fund needed road and bridge improvements?
This year, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the Commonwealth’s bridges and roads a D+ grade — with more than 3,300 bridges rated in poor condition.
As Governor, I will ensure that we fund the repair and maintenance of structurally deficient bridges and roads, appoint a skilled and experienced team at PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission, and partner with labor groups to make sure that we are growing our economy while also establishing high-paying union jobs.
What can you bring to the table to promote unity?
Throughout my career, I have worked hard to bring people together, from brokering a deal to protect health care access for 1.9 million people to bringing the Legislative Black Caucus and law enforcement to the table to create the first statewide database for police misconduct,
As Governor, I will continue working to bring people together so that we can solve our biggest problems, because that's how we will deliver results for people across our Commonwealth and move Pennsylvania forward.
What should Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, now set at $7.25 an hour, be?
Right now, Pennsylvanians are being crushed under a mountain of rising prices and for too many, the economy is not working for them or their families.
We need to build an economy that invests in our workforce, rewards hard work, and creates opportunities for Pennsylvanians to get ahead. That’s why as Governor, I’ll continue to stand up for our workers, and ensure that every Pennsylvania worker is paid a living wage of at least $15 an hour.
How would you position Pennsylvania to be a leader on environmental issues?
Throughout my entire career, I have worked to defend Pennsylvanians’ constitutional right to clean air and pure water — and as Governor, I will continue that work by investing in clean energy and clean transportation.
My priority will be ensuring Pennsylvania has a comprehensive climate and energy policy that protects consumers, capitalizes on our strength as an energy hub, safeguards our environment, and moves our Commonwealth forward.
Christina PK DiGiulio
Age: 44
Party: Green
Occupation: Research science (analytical chemist), community watchdog and organizer
Town of residence: Upper Uwchlan
Q: What is the top issue facing this office, and what are your plans to address it?
A: Global warming. Pennsylvania must rapidly transition out of the fossil fuel economy and lead the way to a clean, just energy economy.
Would you support legislation that would ensure legal access to abortions? What, if any restrictions should be placed on abortion?
Yes. No restrictions. The decisions are between a pregnant person 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?
I agree with the outcome of the 2020 election. Steps needed: Campaign finance reform and ranked choice voting.
What is your plan to improve Pennsylvania education funding?
Subsidize to improve the physical environment, schools must be safe and healthy for students. Funding must be based on Equity. I support Fair Funding. I support the removal of charter schools, which is a for profit system. Redirect money to improving the neighborhood public schools.
What steps would you take to address inflation?
Governors cannot stop inflation, but I will advocate for equitable tax and regulatory reform which will boost Pennsylvania’s economy.
Would you seek the adoption of any new gun control measures? If yes, what? If no, why not?
Yes. Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manfacturers who market and sell military grade weapons to the public, as well as modifications which make a weapon unnecessarily lethal, for example: rapid fire triggers.
How can we fund needed road and bridge improvements?
Remove subsidies and tax breaks from the fossil fuel industry and redirect them to bridge and road improvements. Invest in sustainable solutions (engineering). Invest in an accessible and sustainable public transit system, which will lessen the wear and tear on our roads and bridges AND create jobs.
What can you bring to the table to promote unity?
As a leader, I will promote unity versus divisiveness by building sustainable community foundations, focused on localism with equitable opportunities. Unity flourishes when everyone has the resources they need and Pennsylvania is naturally rich in local resources and knowledge.
What should Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, now set at $7.25 an hour, be?
Somewhere between $15-25 an hour, incrementally over the next 10 years. Inflation must be taken into account.
How would you position Pennsylvania to be a leader on environmental issues?
Establish an Agency of Just Transition. A healthy, equitable economy and a clean environment must co-exist. The process and practice for achieving this vision will be fair and equitable. The development of tomorrow's work force must include both the impacted frontline workers and fence-line communities most affected by pollution, ecological damage and economic restructuring without burdening current or future victims of environmental and economic injustices and unfair free trade policies.
Jonathan Matthew Hackenburg
Age: 37
Party: Libertarian
Occupation: Computer engineer
Town of residence: Bangor
Q: What is the top issue facing this office, and what are your plans to address it?
A: The biggest reason why I am running for Governor is to promote and pass Defend the Guard legislation. As an anti-war National Guard veteran, this issue hits close to home. With talks of sending reinforcements to Taiwan if China were to invade, or war hawks in D.C. clamoring to get the U.S. involved in Ukraine, Defend the Guard needs passed now more than ever. This prevents the government from sending our state's National Guard into conflicts without a declaration of war from Congress.
Would you support legislation that would ensure legal access to abortions? What, if any restrictions should be placed on abortion?
From a personal standpoint, I think abortion is wrong, but I don’t think there is any effective method to use the state to police it. That’s a recipe for disaster, a recipe for abuse. Trying to fix a cultural issue with legislation never solves the divide. That being said, taxpayer dollars should not be put towards funding abortion, as this would be a gateway to socialized medicine.
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?
At the end of the day, it does not matter who is President. We lose our freedom, are taxed beyond belief, and they are eager to send out children to war for Raytheon bucks. They destroy our currency and our way of life. They lock us in our homes and try forcing a medical caste system on us. We got that with Trump and Biden. To ensure free and fair elections, systems like ranked choice voting should be considered. What we have now clearly isn't working.
What is your plan to improve Pennsylvania education funding?
To improve education, Pennsylvania needs to allow school choice. We need to fund our students, not systems, by allowing parents to choose how to educate their children based on their needs and preferences. Whether it be public school, private school, apprenticeships, vo-tech, homeschooling, parents have the right to decide what method of education works best for their kids. This would improve our quality of education without raising a single penny in taxes.
What steps would you take to address inflation?
The Federal Reserve has destroyed the value of our fiat currency during both Trump and Biden's administrations. 80% of all U.S. dollars in existence were printed in 2020. Ron Paul was right: we need to End the Fed. There are ways Pennsylvania can combat inflation and the Fed. We need to make cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum legal tender and pass the Constitutional Tender Act, which returns our currency to sound money like gold, silver, or equivalent substitute notes for convenience.
Would you seek the adoption of any new gun control measures? If yes, what? If no, why not?
The Pennsylvania Constitution states that " The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned." All gun control measures are illegitimate and ought to be repealed. I don’t believe the state should have any involvement in determining who can or cannot have a firearm. If someone is so dangerous that they can’t have a firearm, that person should not be out of prison.
How can we fund needed road and bridge improvements?
Keep that tax money in local communities. The problem with Harrisburg fixing the roads is a majority of the money generated from the gas tax that is suppose to go into road maintenance disappears into the pockets of the bureaucracy. If it is a pressing issue that needs solved, strong local communities will band together to fix it.
What can you bring to the table to promote unity?
To bring unity, we must decentralize as many aspects of government at possible back into our communities. Government does not promote unity, it can only take away and create a reliance on it. There are no problems our communities can’t solve together, eliminating dependency on government.
What should Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, now set at $7.25 an hour, be?
Many people do not realize the minimum wage actually hurts the people it's trying to help by pricing young or inexperienced workers out of the job market. By setting a minimum wage, especially at $15 per hour, you are effectively making tons of voluntary wage contracts illegal. It is compulsory unemployment for those in need. The minimum wage needs to be abolished.
How would you position Pennsylvania to be a leader on environmental issues?
We need to stop subsidizing energy companies that have friends in Harrisburg and let the market take it's course. We should be treating pollution as a trespass violation, allowing people affected by polluters to issue court injunctions to shut them down, court orders to clean up our property, or imprisonment if they do not get off our property. If there is a demand for a clean environment, then a truly free market will meet that demand.
Joe Soloski
Age: 65
Party: Keystone
Occupation: Certified public accountant
Town of residence: Halfmoon Township
Q: What is the top issue facing this office, and what are your plans to address it?
A: Slashing the state budget, cutting taxes, term limits for our legislators, implementing ranked-choice voting.
Would you support legislation that would ensure legal access to abortions? What, if any restrictions should be placed on abortion?
While I am pro-life, I am also pro-women. I would never implement an abortion ban because government prohibitions never work. Government prohibitions only cause more problems and black markets. I would make an exception to prohibit partial-birth abortions, which I view as murder.
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?
The 2020 election is over. Deal with it. In order to improve election processes, we need to implement Ranked-Choice Voting so that voters have more choices and elect better representatives.
What is your plan to improve Pennsylvania education funding?
I want to eliminate our archaic property tax system, while causes people to lose their homes, and replace it with a more progressive local sales tax.
What steps would you take to address inflation?
I would cut government spending by at least 5% per year while also cutting Pennsylvania taxation. Getting unnecessary government out of the way is the best way to curb inflation.
Would you seek the adoption of any new gun control measures? If yes, what? If no, why not?
Yes, I would actively promote Pennsylvania becoming a constitutional carry state while also working to eliminate the need for carry permits.
How can we fund needed road and bridge improvements?
By better budgeting and allocating of existing highway funds. Our state operating budget has more than doubled in just twenty years. Pennsylvania doesn’t have a revenue problem; it’s got a spending and management problem. I will work to fix that.
What can you bring to the table to promote unity?
My being a third party, independent candidate will, inherently, promote unity among the parties. The Republicans and Democrats are the reason for all of our problems. Third parties will hold their feet to the fire and cause better governance.
What should Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, now set at $7.25 an hour, be?
It should be zero. Government wage and price thresholds don’t work. We need to leave wage and compensation thresholds left to the free market in order to increase wage levels.
How would you position Pennsylvania to be a leader on environmental issues?
We need to expand and open more nuclear power plants to meet the energy needs of Pennsylvania and beyond. Nuclear power is clear, efficient, and effective.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Voters Guide 2022: The race for Pennsylvania governor
