Campaigns for state House seats are heating up
159TH PA. HOUSE RACE
Brian Kirkland, Democrat
Age: 37 Location: Chester Job: State legislator Why Running: Kirkland, the freshman incumbent, said he has helped bring in more than $5 million in additional funding for seniors, school programs and various other initiatives in his district and that he hopes to do more in the future.
Kirkland also pointed to $500,000 the City of Chester received to install public cameras and said he would work to continue that endeavor if re-elected, and said he would continue working with the governor to bring in more school funding.
The former Special Projects Coordinator for Chester, Kirkland currently sits on the committees for Children & Youth, Gaming Oversight, Health, Tourism & Recreational Development and Urban Affairs. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and PA SAFE Caucus.
Quote: “We need someone in my district with experience, with knowledge and understanding of what the constituents in the 159th District need, and I’m that person.”
Ruth Moton, Republican
Age: 53 Location: Upper Chichester
Job: Videographer Why running: Moton said she has long been involved in the community, but now sees “brick walls” forming between elected officials and constituents they are supposed to represent.
She said many people in her district do not even know who their state representative is, illustrating the need for stronger relations and better communication with the community.
If elected, Moton said she would focus on increasing education funding, helping seniors pay for medicine, and instituting long-term drug and addiction recovery programs.
Quote: “We have to evolve or we become extinct. We’re at a crossroads in the 159th.”
160TH PA. HOUSE RACE Steve Barrar, Republican
Age: 64 Location: Boothwyn Job: Legislator Why Running: Barrar, the incumbent, was first elected to the seat in 1996 and said he believes he has a done a good job working on issues that affect veterans, first responders and taxpayers.
He pointed to helping rescue the 911 system from bankruptcy with a law that produced a surplus fund allowing 911 centers to upgrade to new technologies, as well as his efforts to bring Post Traumatic Stress Disorder under covered benefits for first responders.
Barrar is currently the Republican chairman of the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee and sits on the House Liquor Control Committee.
Quote: “I think I’ve done a good job of representing the people. We’re involved in a very spirited election. I’m hoping at the end of the day that the voters will see I’ve done a good job for them and I hope to keep working for them.”
Anton Andrew, Democrat
Age: 48 Location: Kennett Square
Job: Attorney and educator
Why running:
An attorney with more than
2 0 years of experienceAnton focusing on defending indigent and working-class clients, Andrew said he hopes to address a structural deficit, education funding, infrastructure improvements, protecting marginalized communities and the environment, gun violence and the opioid crisis if elected.
A native of Washington D.C., he was raised in Jamaica and Trinidad before returning to the United States at age 10. Andrew holds a degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctor degree from Hofstra University.
Quote: “I’ve spent my career giving a voice to those who have none and our community needs a voice in Harrisburg. It’s time we have somebody to speak up for the people in this district and I will be that voice.”
162ND PA. HOUSE RACE Mary Hopper, Republican
Age: 55 Location: Ridley Park Occupation: Lawyer Why running: Hopper said she is committed to ensuring the
162nd
District benefits from effective leadership, commonsense legislation and outstanding constituent services.
A graduate of Ridley High School, the University of Pennsylvania and Dickinson Law School, Hopper is a former Ridley Park Borough Council president and most recently served as Delaware County sheriff.
She said her main priorities if elected include addressing property taxes, ending the opioid epidemic, school safety and education.
Quote: “It has been the honor of a lifetime serving my community, and I hope that I am able to earn the trust and support of my neighbors as I seek to continue that service at the state level.”
Dave Delloso, Democrat
Age: 53 Location: Ridley Job: President of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 312
Why running: Campaign manager Marelen Richmond said Delloso has aDave background in negotiating with management on behalf of workers that he feels would transition well to Harrisburg and allow him to reach across the aisle.
If elected, she said he would work to stem the loss of benefits and job security impacting working class families by closing tax loopholes for corporations and taxing gas drillers in the state.
Delloso would also work to help relieve property taxes for underfunded school districts and seniors who are facing a choice between their home and health care, said Richmond.
Quote: “Dave has spent his career fighting for working and middle class families and now he’s taking that fight to the state House.”
Election profiles will continue tomorrow.