GOP committee member running for House seat
Elle Rulavage seeking nomination in 124th District
Elle Rulavage is sick of all the finger pointing in Harrisburg.
She’s had enough of the partisan bickering. She’s done with politicians focusing on who’s to blame for the problems that plague Pennsylvania.
What the state needs, she believes, is someone who’s focused on finding solutions. And she thinks she is that person.
That’s why Berks County Republican Committee member decided to run to represent the people of the 124th House District, following the announcement from longtime incumbent Jerry Knowles that he would not be seeking reelection.
“When I heard that Rep. Knowles was not running again, I thought this would be a good opportunity to help make a positive difference in the lives of those who live in the district,” she said. “I want to seek solutions to the issues facing our residents. I want to hear what the issues are, I want to listen to the voices of others about the issues and then I want to find solutions.”
The Windsor Township resident said that while she is new to the political scene, she believes she has a good handle on the problems her neighbors are facing right now. She said the response to the coronavirus pandemic was the biggest factor in her decision to get involved.
“All of the mandates that were handed down were really disheartening,” she said. “I was really frustrated with the decisions that were being made and thought that I might be able to make a difference.”
In addition to making sure students continue to stay in school and that personal freedom is respected as the world continues to deal with the pandemic, Rulavage said she has a
list of priorities she will focus on if voters send her to Harrisburg.
She promised to do what she can to stop PennDOT’s plan to pay for the replacement of nine bridges with toll revenue, including the Lenhartsville Bridge on Interstate 78. She said she believes the move will create traffic congestion on local roads from motorists looking to bypass the toll and will set a dangerous precedent to toll more bridges in the future.
Rulavage vowed to lend her voice to conservation efforts. As a member of Blue Mountain
Wildlife, she said she cares deeply about preserving the wildlife and wetlands along the scenic Schuylkill River in northern Berks and southern Schuylkill counties. She is also a strong supporter of maintaining hiking trails for recreational and historical purposes.
She pledged her support on efforts to eliminate school property taxes. However, she said she is committed to finding a solution that balances the need of those struggling to stay in their homes while also ensuring school districts are not left with massive gaps in funding.
Some of her other stances include an opposition to abortion, support of the Second Amendment, a belief that transgender girls and women should be barred from joining female sports teams and the belief that critical race theory should be banned from being taught in schools.
“I’m a conservative candidate who will work hard for those causes,” she said.
Rulavage will face Hamburg real estate agent Jill Saunders and Schuylkill County businessman Jamie Barton for the Republican nomination to represent the 124th District in the May 17 primary. Tina Burns, a Schuylkill County health care consultant, is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the upcoming election.
State representatives serve a two-year term and receive an annual salary of $95,432.
“I want to seek solutions to the issues facing our residents. I want to hear what the issues are, I want to listen to the voices of others about the issues and then I want to find solutions.” — Elle Rulavage