Several races not contested
Democrats Collett and Fields and Republicans Greenleaf Jr. and Mensch on ballot for state Senate
The May 15 primary election will feature a series of state legislative races on the local ballot, with no primary challenges but candidates on both the Democratic and Republican sides.
Pa State Senate
12TH DISTRICT
A familiar name will be on the ballot to represent Pennsylvania’s 12th State Senate District, as Republican Stewart Greenleaf Jr. sets his sights on a seat held by Greenleaf’s father, current Senator Stewart Greenleaf, since 1979.
The elder Greenleaf announced in January he will not seek reelection to the state legislature, where he served a two-year term in the state House starting in 1977 and has since been in the current Senate seat.
Greenleaf Jr. has highlighted his term as Montgomery County controller from 2012 through 2015 as proof of his commitment to fiscal discipline and reforming government.
“As County Controller, I ran for specific reasons and did what I promised to do: bring smart fiscal oversight to county govern-
ment. Most importantly, once I did what I promised, I chose to leave elected office and return to the private sector. I have no desire to make a career of public office,” Greenleaf Jr. said in a statement on his campaign website.
An Upper Moreland resident and attorney with law firm Elliott Greenleaf, the younger Greenleaf has served on Upper Moreland’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, as a trustee of the Upper Moreland Free Public Library, and as a volunteer civics teacher in the North Penn School District, according to his biography.
On the Democratic side of the ballot for the PA 12th Senate seat will be Lower Gwynedd attorney and nurse Maria Collett, who said her career in pediatric home health, trauma and long-term care gave voices to those in their most vulnerable moments.
“Collett intends to continue dedicating herself to listening to the needs of the community and bringing fresh ideas to Harrisburg
where smart decisions and thoughtful discourse can lead Pennsylvania to the forefront of progressive change,” said Collett in her campaign announcement.
If elected, Collett will push for transparency and accountability to voters, access to affordable and quality healthcare, and funding for public education institutions, she said.
“Pennsylvanians are not being represented by those in Harrisburg. As a result of partisan gerrymandering, voices have been silenced. Flipping the 12th District adds one more progressive voice to our state government and gives Pennsylvanians one more voice in support of growth, change, transparency and accountability,” Collett said.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
• Greenleaf: Visit www. StewartGreenleaf.com, search for “Stewart Greenleaf Jr.” on Facebook or follow @StewGreenleaf on Twitter.
• Collett: Visit www.MariaForPASenate.com, search for “Maria for PA” on Facebook or follow @MariaForPA on Twitter.
24th District
Incumbent Republican Bob Mensch is facing a challenge from Democrat Linda Fields to represent Pennsylvania’s 24th State Senate district.
A longtime labor organizer, negotiator, and advisory board member for Norristown’s Borough Council, on her campaign website Fields cites goals of improving the lives of veterans, improving healthcare for all citizens and benefits for seniors, and vows to make employment and education development her top priorities.
In an announcement on her campaign Facebook page “Friends of Linda Fields,” the candidate said “My life’s mission has always driven me in the path of public service. My desire to make life better for myself, my family, and my community, they go hand in hand.”
“I have decided I will not sit on the sideline and watch and wait to see how this broken political process plays out. I have jumped in and I am running in a district which will once again require me to fight like hell and win for ‘Team Pennsylvania’ — for public education, for pay equity, for affordable healthcare, for affordable housing, and quality care and housing for our veterans,” Fields said.
Mensch, an incumbent Republican who has held the seat since 2010, announced his bid for a third four-year term in November 2017, and in his announcement touted his background in business and said he has spent two terms fighting to reduce spending of taxpayer dollars.
“Hardworking taxpayers want a government that answers to them. My priorities are those which make government work efficiently and effectively, all the while working for the people,” said Mensch.
Mensch also cited as accomplishments his Act 43 of 2017, meant to incentivize manufacturers to make large capital investments to create jobs, and Act 48 of 2017 which directs state offices to perform mandatory budget reviews.
“Manufacturing careers provide family-sustaining employment. Reducing taxes on manufacturers while making it easier for them to grow is a source of pride, as making things in America puts our country first,” he said.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
• Fields: Visit www. FriendsofLindaFields.com or search for “Friends of Linda Fields” on Facebook.
• Mensch: Visit www. MenschForSenate.com.