2 seeking GOP nod for 147th House Dist.
The decision by Republican state Rep. Marcy Toepel not to seek another term representing the 147th House District has resulted in a primary election contest on June 2.
Annamarie Scannapieco, a registered nurse from New Hanover, and Tracy Pennycuick, a retired military helicopter pilot from Lower Salford, are both seeking the Republican nomination.
The winner of the primary election will face Democrat Jill Dennin, a Boyertown School Board member who is unopposed in the primary.
Neither Scannapieco, 55, nor Pennycuick, 54, has held elected office before, although Scannapieco did run for Montgomery County Coroner last year.
“It may sound cliche and simplistic, but the reason for my decision to run for state representative of the 147th District is my desire to serve and give back to the community and to strongly advocate for the residents of the district to make it a better place to live and work,” Scannapieco said in her response to a MediaNews Group questionnaire.
In her response, Pennycuick wrote that she decided to run because “as a combat veteran and Blackhawk pilot, I am no stranger to public service. As a small business owner, I know the difficulties businesses face, especially in the face of COVID-19. And, as a longtime member of our community and mother of 4 grown children, I understand the importance of providing a safe community, affordable healthcare, excellent ed
ucation, and good-paying jobs.”
Both candidates cited the economic recovery from the coronavirus restrictions as the district’s top legislative priority.
“It is no secret that managing the COVID-19 crisis and supporting re-opening and recovery is vital to our community. We have many families, workers and small businesses who are struggling. We must ensure local businesses can safely re-open quickly so that people can get back to work,” wrote Pennycuick, who noted that she has been endorsed by Toepel.
“We must also make sure our frontline workers have the PPE needed to keep them safe, especially healthcare workers. I will support and sponsor legislation aimed at our economic recovery while ensuring people stay safe and our most vulnerable population is protected, Penncuick wrote.
“Right now, the most important issue facing the 147th district is how small businesses are hurting due to the COVID-19 mandates of Governor Wolf. Small businesses are the backbone of the district and are in desperate need of help,” wrote Scannapieco.
“It is going to take some time for businesses to recover after this and if I am fortunate to be elected as the state rep of the 147th District, I will strongly advocate for small business grants and loans for these vital businesses to get back on their feet. I want to visit and patronize these businesses in a show of support and promote them in the community and on social media in an effort to help them be successful again,” wrote Scannapieco.
The 147th District includes Douglass (Mont.), New Hanover, Upper Frederick, Lower Frederick, Marlborough, Upper Salford, Lower Salford, West Pottsgrove and Upper Pottsgrove townships, as well as the boroughs of Green Lane and Schwenksville.