Election 2022: The race to represent the 127th House District

Oct. 10—Voters in the 127th Legislative District will have a choice at the polls this November.

Democratic incumbent Rep. Manny Guzman Jr. and Republican challenger Vincent Gagliardo Jr. are facing off for the House seat. The district includes parts of Reading and Cumru Township as well as Kenhorst and Shillington.

State representatives serve a two-year term and receive an annual salary of $95,432.

We asked the candidates to respond to four questions.

Democrat Manny Guzman Jr.

Residence: Reading.

Age: 34.

Background: Guzman was elected to serve in the post in 2020. Prior to his election, he worked as a freelance writer, was the former director of coalitions for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and was a former member of the Reading School Board.

Why should voters elect you and not your opponent?

The people of Reading, Kenhorst, Shillington and Cumru Township know me. They know the values that I fight for, and they know what I bring to the table. Over the last two years I've brought back over $25 million to our region, and we are not done yet. I believe that Berks County's strength comes from our ability to work together — bringing together people from different parts of our county/region and of different races into one whole.

My opponent has spent his entire career seeking to divide us against each other based on what someone looks like, where they come from or how much money they have/make. His election to the House would put up barriers to prosperity for communities of color like Reading. The 127th needs a leader interested in fighting for our future. We need leaders who will deliver better health care for our families, quality schools for our kids and a fair return on work. I believe I have delivered on those values, and ask you to send me back to Harrisburg to keep fighting for us.

Assuming your victory, choose a single issue you would prioritize in the coming term — name it and describe what you want to accomplish.

If given the opportunity to serve my neighbors, family and friends in Harrisburg, in the next term I will commit myself to helping make our community safer, happier and healthier. We know about the economic impact COVID has had across our region. To this day many of our residents struggle financially to make ends meet — this is especially true within the poor white, Black and Latino communities in Berks County. My commitment is to confront these challenges head on in the new term.

Additionally, as a member of the House Appropriations Committee I will ensure that we refocus our process so that our tax dollars used on fundamental services like education and housing meet our obligations here in Berks while preparing our region for the future.

Finally, I will continue to fight to ensure our region and city gets the resources we are rightfully entitled to as the fourth largest city in the commonwealth. For far too long Reading and Berks never got its fair share, not anymore, and not on my watch.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade now leaves the decision about how to regulate abortions up to individual states. Describe the abortion legislation that you would like to see enacted in Pennsylvania?

I support a woman's right to make medical decisions about her body in private, and in consultation with her doctor. When the women of Berks county visit their OBGYN there aren't seats in that room for hundreds of other people. These are decisions best left to doctors and medical professionals and the women who seek medical advice from these qualified individuals.

House Democrats have authored many bills to protect women's rights in Pennsylvania, and I support those bills. Unfortunately politicians in Harrisburg, and my opponent, want to take us back to a time where women had no rights. They propose bills that will prohibit women from making bodily choices — and make no exception for rape or incest. These politicians' rhetoric divide and distract us while they rig the state government and the economy for themselves and their big money donors. This is radical. This is dangerous. Reading and Berks deserve a champion who will always fight for women. I believe I am that champion.

Pennsylvania, like the rest of the nation, is suffering through a period of severe inflation. What specific steps do you believe need to be taken to address this issue?

Harrisburg is still sitting on billions of dollars of excess surplus and COVID relief dollars. Money that can be used to help working-class people through this period of severe inflation. I stand with the governor in wanting to give Pennsylvanians $2,000 in stimulus money that will go a long way toward helping folks in Reading be able to pay for gas or groceries.

Again, it doesn't matter where we come from or what our color is, most of us work hard for our families and just want the government to help keep a fair playing field. Of course, politicians in Harrisburg — including my opponent and their greedy special interests — want to defund our schools, make cuts to SNAP and WIC benefits, and refuse to raise the minimum wage. They point the finger at poor families and blame us for the inflation our country faces.

I call on the people of Berks to join together with people from all walks of life as we continue to beat back inflation, fight for a better community, while electing leaders who work for all of us, and not the wealthy few.

Republican Vincent Gagliardo Jr.

Residence: Kenhorst.

Age: 61.

Background: Gagliardo is president of Vince's Auto Sales and Services in Reading, a current member of Kenhorst Borough Council and former member of City Council from 1998 through 2001.

Website: towmanvince.wixsite.com

Why should voters elect you and not your opponent?

The 127th District has been redistricted and now comprises 30% of the City of Reading. Currently, my opponent is only familiar with the needs of Reading. I have the work experience to balance and recognize the needs of the entire 127th District. My goal is to focus on the needs of the district equally.

Assuming your victory, choose a single issue you would prioritize in the coming term — name it and describe what you want to accomplish.

All constituents of the district are important and must be serviced equally and fairly. My door will be open to assist all members of our community. I strongly believe in the elimination of school property taxes and establishing proper election procedures to secure fair elections.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade now leaves the decision about how to regulate abortions up to individual states. Describe the abortion legislation that you would like to see enacted in Pennsylvania?

Our Declaration of Independence clearly states life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Without life, there is no liberty or pursuit of happiness. I believe in the sanctity of life and the family. Abortion is an individual choice, not an inalienable right. Taxpayers ought not to be supplementing the cost of an individual choice.

Pennsylvania, like the rest of the nation, is suffering through a period of severe inflation. What specific steps do you believe need to be taken to address this issue?

Inflation is nationwide. Federal policies are more the cause of inflation than state policies. However, our state needs to focus on growing the Pennsylvania economy. A good step in that direction was the decision to lower corporate taxes on businesses. Focus needs to be primarily placed on small businesses, agriculture and our energy industry. Pennsylvania is called the Keystone State for a reason. We need to get it back on track.