Election 2022: Your guide to the race for the 143rd state House district
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Republican incumbent Shelby Labs faces Democrat Gwen Stoltz in the race for the 143rd legislative district in Bucks County.
Here's where they stand on the issues.
Shelby Labs
Age: 35
Party: Republican
Occupation: State representative
Town of residence: Plumstead
Q: What steps would you take to reduce polarization?
A: The problem with our politics today is that people have lost the ability to listen to each other. Too often we come into a conversation with our preconceived ideological biases and fail to really address the challenges we face together as a community.
I am committed to continue working across the aisle to deliver real results for the families, first responders, and small businesses in our district. It is up to us, as legislators, to remember that we serve our people, not our Party
How would you handle legislation regarding abortion?
As a young woman, and a new mother, I understand that there are any number of unforeseeable circumstances that can arise during a pregnancy. I believe abortions should be rare and safe.
I believe that, as we do in the current law, we must protect exceptions for the health and safety of both mother and child. That said, we should not allow the use of on-demand late-term abortions for nonmedical reasons.
How can we fund needed road and bridge improvements?
It is no secret that our aging infrastructure is creating challenges for Bucks County families and small businesses. We must work to find new and creative ways to not just maintain, but also improve, our roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure.
I am also committed to working with local and federal officials to ensure that our district receives its fair share of funding from the federal infrastructure bill.
What, if any, reforms to Pennsylvania's election law would you support?
I was proud to vote for the PA Voting Rights Protection Act this session. This legislation struck an important balance between expanding access and providing much-needed security for our elections here in Pennsylvania.
This legislation, which was vetoed by the Governor, would require Voter ID and regular audits of our elections.
Would you seek the adoption of any new gun control measures? If yes, what? If no, why not?
I believe that any legislation related to gun ownership and use must carefully strike a balance between promoting public safety, and protecting the rights guaranteed by the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions.
I am a strong believer in responsible gun ownership, and as with all legislation, I will carefully review and consider any such measures that come before the House.
How would you position Pennsylvania to be a leader on environmental issues?
Growing up in Central Bucks, I understand the importance of protecting our environment and preserving open space. We are so fortunate to live in a uniquely beautiful place, and I am committed to defending our critical natural areas.
We must also be careful to balance protecting our environment and supporting the safe and responsible use of our state’s natural resources. These two things are not mutually exclusive, and it is our responsibility to work to achieve both of these important goals.
What should Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, now set at $7.25 an hour, be?
If we are going to raise the minimum wage, we must be careful to do so in way that does not cripple our small businesses and their ability to hire.
Our local entrepreneurs deserve a State Representative who will work with them, and not against them, as they seek to expand and grow their small businesses. They are the sponsors of our little league teams and our neighborhood events. They are the job-creators and the engines of economic growth for our region.
What, if any, procedural rules would you suggest or support for the 2023-24 legislative session?
Any adjustments made to the procedural rules must be done with careful consideration for the proper function of the House of Representatives. I am all for increased accountability, transparency, and openness in the House rules, while ensuring that honest debate does not devolve into an unproductive floor fight.
Complete Voters Guide:Your guide to Pennsylvania's general election
Looking for more state races?Who you'll be voting for in Pennsylvania House, Senate races in Bucks and Montco
Gwen Stoltz
Age: 48
Party: Democratic
Occupation: Small business owner and medical writer
Town of residence: Plumstead
Q: What steps would you take to reduce polarization?
A: Together, we can find common values to deliver results. Coming from a profession in the sciences, I will push aside partisan biases and take a scientific approach, digging into the issues that we all face, to evaluate all facts and develop solutions. Our constituents are not getting the services and support that they need from our state legislature due to extreme polarization. We all deserve more, and we can do better.
How would you handle legislation regarding abortion?
Abortion is healthcare, and access to it is a basic human right. I will stand with the majority of Pennsylvanians and will fight to protect our reproductive freedoms. In Harrisburg, I will be a champion for reproductive rights and women’s healthcare.
How can we fund needed road and bridge improvements?
Liquid fuels tax revenue provides a significant portion of the funding for our road and bridge repairs, but it is not sufficient to fund all repairs and improvements. This revenue will continue to decline with more fuel-efficient vehicles, hybrids, and electric cars. This is not sustainable. We have some of the most poorly maintained roads while paying one of the highest gas taxes in the nation. In Harrisburg, I will push for funding of our state roads using a wider variety of revenue sources.
What, if any, reforms to Pennsylvania's election law would you support?
I will advocate to maintain the integrity of voting in Pennsylvania and support measures aimed at increasing accessibility of voting for legal voters. This includes giving voters more time to register to vote, automatic voter registration, and expanded early voting.
Would you seek the adoption of any new gun control measures? If yes, what? If no, why not?
To protect the rights of responsible gun owners and to keep our communities safe, I support common sense gun safety measures including comprehensive background checks and firearm safety training. If a person is deemed by a judge to be of danger to themselves or to others, I would support firearms being removed for safety reasons.
How would you position Pennsylvania to be a leader on environmental issues?
The Pennsylvania Constitution guarantees our right to clean air, water, and preservation of the environment. We cannot fall short of this constitutional mandate. Pennsylvania will lead by example. We will invest in clean energy that will create good paying jobs. We will take action to preserve the beauty and natural resources of the Delaware River Basin that provides drinking water, agricultural and industrial use for millions. These actions will also support our local farmers and our economy.
What should Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, now set at $7.25 an hour, be?
Today, all states surrounding Pennsylvania have a higher minimum wage. This hurts us by making it hard to attract workers, which in turn makes it difficult for businesses to thrive. To compete for workers in this environment, Pennsylvania needs a minimum wage that reflects an actual living wage and that is comparable to our neighboring states. To stop losing workers to neighboring states, we need to make Pennsylvania competitive by increasing our minimum wage to at least match those states.
What, if any, procedural rules would you suggest or support for the 2023-24 legislative session?
For the will of the people to be adequately heard and represented, when a bill has clear and strong bipartisan support, it must be allowed to be brought to the floor for a vote.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Voters Guide 2022: Race for Pennsylvania's 143rd legislative district
