Election 2022: The race to represent the 9th Congressional District

Oct. 3—Voters in the 9th Congressional District have a choice at the polls.

Republican incumbent Rep. Dan Meuser and Democratic challenger Amanda Waldman are competing for the seat. The district stretches from Lebanon County and Berks County north to the New York state line. It includes Berks, Lebanon, Schuylkill, Carbon, Northumberland, Montour, Columbia, Luzerne, Lycoming, Sullivan, Wyoming, Susquehanna and Bradford counties.

U.S. representatives serve a two-year term and receive an annual salary of $174,000.

We asked the candidates to respond to four questions:

Democrat Amanda Waldman

Residence: Lycoming County.

Age: 47.

Background: Waldman is a financial representative for a Medicare provider in Pennsylvania. She also is a board member for Roads to Freedom Center for Independent Living, an AmeriCorps alumnus and a community volunteer. She holds an English degree from Bloomsburg University.

Website: waldman4pa.com

Why should voters elect you and not your opponent?

The voters should vote for me because I'm one of them and share the same everyday struggles they have. I'm not the type of person who would make a great politician. I work too hard, and I'm not interested in money or power. However, I will make a great public servant. I'm unbought by corporate PACs, special interest groups or political parties, which means I remain unbossed by any of the corrupting factors in politics, unlike my opponent.

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

My first order of business is to change committee rules. As of now, committees have no requirement to return legislation to the floor to be voted on. This means good, bipartisan legislation, such as the PRIME Act that would benefit all Americans, sits in a committee and never gets brought up for a vote. The leaders of these committees are bought by special interest groups, so if their 'bosses' don't want a piece of legislation passed because it interferes with their profit margins, the bill is never brought up for discussion. Without changing the rules, it won't matter what legislation is written — it will never be voted on or enacted.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade now leaves the decision about how to regulate abortions up to individual states, which creates a patchwork of rules across the nation. Do you believe there should be a national abortion law? If no, why not. If yes, explain what that law would do?

There should be a national law that protects every single citizen's right to govern their own bodies, and to protect their privacy. States can continue to legislate, but never remove the rights of anyone. If the patchwork approach to abortion stands, and states decide to completely negate a woman's right to bodily autonomy, it sets a precedent that the removal of rights is allowed under the constitution, and the rights of every single group in the country is at risk. This is a slippery slope, and who's to say what group will be targeted next.

A recent Franklin & Marshall College poll found a significant portion of Pennsylvania voters lack confidence that voters were counted correctly in the state in the 2020 presidential election. What would you do to restore voter confidence in the system?

Election integrity is the foundation of our government, and all concerns regarding fraudulent ballots should be addressed. As was the case in the 2020 election. The biggest reason for a significant portion of those polled not having faith in the results of the 2020 election is because fake news, lies and corrupted politicians like my opponent are sowing fear, doubt, distrust and anger among the people of this nation.

I would support the Presidential Election Reform Act to prevent another misinformed, blatant power grab. I would also support investing in new election systems, such as the ones presented and used in contests in Las Vegas that as of now have been unhackable. Investing in cybersecurity to thwart any attempted hacking of our election systems and ensuring our elections are secure and valid would be a top concern.

Republican Dan Meuser

Residence: Luzerne County.

Age: 58.

Background: Meuser was first elected to the seat in 2018. He previously served as secretary of revenue in the Cabinet of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett and president of the Pride Mobility Corporation.

Website: meuserforcongress.com

Why should voters elect you and not your opponent?

Voters should vote to send me back to Congress because, for nearly four years in office, my team and I have worked tirelessly to serve the constituents of the 9th District. I have 25 years of business experience that I bring to serving in Congress, which has allowed me to take a results-oriented approach to everything we do.

My office is focused on four pillars: constituent service, communications, legislation and project management, allowing us to serve the constituents in the most impactful way. I've also been a consistent conservative voice in Washington, D.C., as I've worked hard to implement an America First agenda centered on ensuring the U.S. has a strong economy, safe streets and sufficient resources to protect us from the dangers posed by our enemies around the world.

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

There is more than just one important issue I hope to accomplish in the coming term. However, because of radical policies from the Biden administration and Biden Democrats, the country is in a state of crisis and recession.

In the next term, with Republicans in power, we will focus on securing our borders, becoming energy independent, renewing a sense of pride in America and creating a pro-business environment through meaningful policy that creates opportunity — not burdens. I will continue to work at home to provide funding for infrastructure and the revitalization of our cities. Lastly, it is crucial to have the right plan for supporting our hardworking police and other first responders and working to reduce drug addiction which is plaguing families and communities across the country.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade now leaves the decision about how to regulate abortions up to individual states, which creates a patchwork of rules across the nation. Do you believe there should be a national abortion law? If no, why not. If yes, explain what that law would do?

It's understood that this is a very sensitive and personal issue. By overturning Roe v. Wade, the court has returned to its constitutional position of maintaining neutrality on the issue of abortion. States now need to craft legislation concerning all human rights of the mother, father and unborn.

In most states, nothing has changed on the issue. In some states, very late-term abortions are now prohibited, with certain exceptions. As I am pro-life, I hope states and the people pass legislation assisting new parents and single mothers with newborn programs and adoption options, and we continue to create a pro-life culture.

A recent Franklin & Marshall College poll found a significant portion of Pennsylvania voters lack confidence that voters were counted correctly in the state in the 2020 presidential election. What would you do to restore voter confidence in the system?

For a democracy to flourish, we provide voters complete confidence in the system. There were apparent discrepancies in the 2020 election, and we must have laws in place that follow the principle of one person, one vote. The Constitution clearly states that state legislators determine the time, place and manner of elections. Any changes to election rules or laws should be performed only by the state Legislature.

This was not the case in the 2020 election. Rules were changed that were intended to benefit one side over another. This is indisputable and was wrong. Whatever the laws are for elections, it is up to, as the U.S. Constitution states, the Legislature's authority, not the governor or the secretary of state. There is perhaps nothing more important to our democracy than election integrity.