Burman, Kane face off for Killion’s seat

Democrats John Kane and Brett Burman are seeking the party nod to face off in the 9th Senatorial District, during the June 2 Primary Election, and then challenge likely incumbent Republican Tom Killion, R-9th, of Middletown on the November ballot.

The district includes municipalities in both Delaware and Chester counties.

Burman is 34 years old, lives in Edgmont and is a former public school teacher and now health care consultant.

“I was born and raised in the district and I want to give back

to the community,” said the painter of what he said are “bad” landscapes as a hobby.

The reader of history worked with Child Guidance Resource Centers, which provides mental and behavioral health sciences to youth at little or no cost.

Burman is an elected member of the Democratic State Committee. He is also the chairman of the board of auditors in Edgmont Township.

“We need health care and education reform and need leaders who are ready to govern on these issues from Day One,” said Burman. “We need to restore state funding for education that’s been eroded over the past two decades.

“Pennsylvania has the most unequally funded schools in the country and that has to change.”

The Eagles and Flyers fan is in favor of universal coronavirus testing.

“If we are going to get our economy up and running safely, we need to provide free and routine testing for everyone,” he said.

The candidate also supports creating a public option for health insurance.

“We need to directly negotiate prescription drug prices instead of wasting billions on middlemen like we are currently,” he said. Burman seeks reform. “Pennsylvania needs to ban gifts to legislators,” he said. “There is no limit on cash gifts and I will create meaningful limits on campaign finance.”

Burman is a foe of the Sunoco Mariner East pipeline.

“I have been clear from Day One that these pipelines should have never been approved and should not operate unless there are comprehensive and credible safety measures paid for by Sunoco,” he said.

Burman successfully fought to add a pro-safety resolution to the Pennsylvania Democratic Party platform, as a member of the state committee, in 2019.

Kane, 59, is a master plumber and business manager of the largest plumbing union in the state. He lives with his wife and family in Birmingham Township.

“I spent my life fighting on behalf of working people and building relationships with respected elected officials,” the avid gardener said.

The cancer survivor said he has experienced some extraordinary times.

“I understand the suffering that some families are going through,” the Class of 1978 Cardinal O’Hara graduate said. “I can feel their pain.”

Kane has been in recovery for 36 years.

“My voice needs to be heard in Harrisburg,” the home remodeler said. “I’m not finished yet. “I have a lot of motivation.” Kane seeks affordable heath care for all Pennsylvanians.

“Going through cancer, I knew that without health care that I would have been a dead man,” Kane said.

Kane said that he was “not a very good student” in high school. He favors increasing the public investment in education and vocational programs.

“A vocation is not a bad career,” said the man who enjoys walking his dog. “Everybody needs to get to the middle class.”

The Sunoco Mariner East 2 Pipeline right-of-way runs through both Delaware and Chester counties.

The candidate supports “sensible” gun laws and a ban on automatic weapons, while favoring universal background checks.