State Representative Margo Davidson
As the Democratic State Representative for the 164th District since 2011, and Lansdowne’s representative since 2014, I am humbly asking the voters of Lansdowne for their support and vote during this November 8, 2016 General Election.
I am proud to have brought funding for a number of projects that directly benefit Lansdowne’s residents. I helped secure a grant to SEPTA that effectively saved the Media/Elwyn Line, protecting our most heavily used mode of public transportation to Lansdowne. Additionally I secured a state grant to help make improvements to the Lansdowne Theatre, which along with my support and passage of the 2015 borough referendum authorizing limited sales of alcohol at the theatre, will help secure the preservation of this historic cultural building for years to come. I also worked to preserve the $1,000,000 Ready to Learn block grant for the William Penn School District, helping to fund programs such as “Ready by 3rd Grade” and STEM, which help ensure that our children have the tools they need to succeed in elementary school and beyond.
I want to return to Harrisburg to pass my Education Reinvestment Bill, which would set a tax on Marcellus Shale to directly fund, among other things, increased education subsidies to the William Penn School District. We desperately need to shift away from crippling property taxes, which are amongst the highest in Pennsylvania, to fund our local schools. I also support legislation for equal pay for equal work. As the first woman elected as State Representative in our district, I especially want to continue to focus on issues that greatly impact women.
Together, I hope to continue to work with them to help great communities like Lansdowne in my district. Thank you, and I hope to see you personally over the next few months.
Attorney General Josh Shapiro
Throughout my career in public service, I’ve fought to restore integrity and fairness to our system, make government work and protect the rights of all Pennsylvanians. That’s why I’m running for Attorney General.
As Chairman of the Montgomery County Commission, I’ve stood up for the rights of all of my constituents. I led the fight against the discriminatory Voter ID law that would have made it more difficult for young people, minorities, and seniors to vote. I became the first Democrat to lead Montgomery County in more than 140 years. I reversed years of Republican deficits and debt and put the County’s fiscal house back in order, and led an ethical, transparent government.
In addition to leading Pennsylvania’s third-largest county, I’m also Chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. In that position, I’ve worked to improve public safety in communities across the state by reforming the criminal justice system, better care for victims of crime, and make prevention programs more effective.
As Attorney General, I’ll continue the work I’ve been doing throughout my career to restore integrity to our system. Too many Pennsylvanians feel like the deck is stacked against them and they can’t get a fair shake in our justice system. I’ll reform our criminal justice system, fight the scourge of illegal guns, and take on the heroin epidemic in a comprehensive and compassionate way. And I’ll enforce anti-discrimination laws that ensure women and minorities are treated fairly in the workplace and get equal pay for equal work. Restoring people’s trust in our system is a vital task, and I’m up to the challenge. As Attorney General, I’ll be the people’s attorney and will stand up for the rights of all Pennsylvanians.
I humbly ask for your support when you cast your votes on November 8th.
U.S. House of Representatives Bob Brady
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Robert Brady graduated from St. Thomas More High School, found employment as a carpenter and was soon part of the leadership of the Carpenters’ union. He continues to be a member of both the Carpenters’ and the Teachers’ unions.
Currently, Brady helps to lead the Committee’s oversight of federal elections and the day-to-day functions of the House of Representatives, as well as budget authorizations for expenses of House committees, and those for expenses of Members of Congress. He held various leadership positions prior to becoming a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. His accomplishments include, but are not limited to serving as Deputy Mayor for Labor in the administration of Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode, serving as a consultant to the Pennsylvania State Senate, serving as a Pennsylvania Turnpike Commissioner and his role as a member of the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority.
Brady has been an unwavering advocate for legislation that supports the well-being of financially disadvantaged communities. He has sponsored or co-sponsored legislation that promotes affordable housing, as well as strategies to ensure that all Americans have access to quality healthcare and life-saving prescription drugs. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Brady has called for programs to support veterans as well as current members of our Armed Forces. While he has been one of the strongest supporters of our men and women serving in uniform, he has also been an outspoken opponent of the escalation of the Iraq War and has supported imposing a timeline for safe and orderly withdrawal from Iraq. In his role on the Committee on House Administration, Brady has been a leading advocate for election reform.
Congressman Bob Brady is running for his 11th term representing the people of Pennsylvania’s First Congressional District. Congressman Brady wanted to thank Lansdowne for all their support and stated that he looks forward to serving all his constituents in the future. He can be reached at (215) 389-4627.
Auditor General Eugene A. Depasquale
Eugene A. DePasquale became Pennsylvania’s 51st Auditor General on January 15, 2013. As the state’s chief fiscal watchdog, Eugene is committed to seeing that taxpayer dollars are spent properly and effectively.
Eugene is focusing audits on areas that will improve the lives of all Pennsylvanians and prepare our state for a brighter future. His audits have found fraud, errors and other financial issues in school districts and charter schools to the tune of well over $20 million. The audits also have shown how the state can do a better job of protecting drinking water and ensuring the humane treatment of animals.
In his first year as Auditor General, Eugene reformed his department by conducting an internal audit and making dramatic reforms to improve office efficiency and save an estimated $2 million.
Eugene was born and raised in Pittsburgh. He received his law degree from Widener University School of Law, Master’s from the University of Pittsburgh and undergraduate degree from the College of Wooster in Ohio. He is a graduate from Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School where he was a member of the state championship football team.
After graduate school, Eugene served as the Director of Economic Development for the City of York, helping to launch new businesses and create jobs. In 2003, Eugene joined the Rendell Administration as a Deputy Secretary at the Department of Environmental Protection where he helped recruit Gamesa, the world’s second largest wind company, to move its US headquarters to Pennsylvania.
In 2006, Eugene took on a new challenge and was elected State Representative for the 95th Legislative District. Almost immediately upon taking office, Eugene began a drive for reform that would come to define his time in public service. Eugene played a critical role in overhauling Pennsylvania’s open records law, and he was the first legislator in state history to post his expenses online for public review.
Eugene lives in York County with his wife Tracey, and their children, Ben and Sarah. He is active in his church and in coaching youth baseball.
State Treasurer Joe Torsella
Ambassador (Ret.) Joseph M. Torsella is a successful civic leader who will bring integrity, energy, and vision to the office of Pennsylvania State Treasurer. A Democrat, Joe was the first declared candidate for the April 2016 primary election.
Joe is the kind of commonsense problem-solver we need in public life. Because Treasury manages $100 billion in public funds and has pre-audit authority over every single check the Commonwealth issues, it’s an ideal platform for someone with Joe’s record of bringing efficiency, sound management, and innovation to the public sector, a theme of Joe’s career.
And because the Treasurer – who sits on nearly twenty consequential boards dealing with issues ranging from infrastructure to pensions to higher education – has such a wide-ranging role, Joe will be a strong voice for smart policy, fiscal responsibility, and public integrity on many, many issues that will shape Pennsylvania’s, and America’s, future.