Governor, Democratic Party - PA
The primaries are next week so it's time to start researching the candidates and who to vote for!
First up, Robert M. McCord.(pictured on the left)
He is the current treasurer of Pennsylvania.
Based on what I read on his website he seems to be wish-washy with the main issues. Additionally, he went on NPR and criticized Tom Wolf for donating $10 million dollars to his campaign and talked about how a person with that much money cannot relate to the everyday person. It's a little hypocritical given that McCord donated $1.7 million to his own campaign. The average person doesn't have that much money for a campaign.
Based on his wishy-washiness and and hypocrisy I don't believe he will be a strong leader for the state.
My Vote: No.
Next up, Tom Wolf (pictured on the right)
He is the chairman of his own company that specializes in kitchen cabinets. Per the latest polls he is the front-runner in the race.
According to his website he's smart enough to believe in climate change but is pro fracking. He sees fracking as a gold-mine essentially that should be exploited for tax revenues for the state. I'm for increasing our capital but not at the expense of the people living in the state and the world in general. His site promotes his desire to get rid of corrupt campaign financing and the use of gifts by lobbyists which I think is great. Wolf has no stance on limiting gun control. Wolf is anti de-decriminalization under an ounce of marijuana. Wants to lower corporate net tax.
My Vote: No because of lowering tax rate for corporations.
Next up, Allyson Y. Schwartz (pictured middle right)
She is a PA congresswoman.
According to her website she views the Marcellus Shale as an opportunity and will seek to impose a 6% tax on drillers. Her site does mention she will continue the ban on Delaware River Basin which is good but really the moratorium should extend to Marcellus Shale. I did like that she was the only candidate to make LGBT rights a main issue on her website. She believes in gay marriage and banning conversion therapy. I also like her stance on college affordability where she mentions getting rid of Corbett's cuts. Anti death penalty. She's anti-decriminalizing marijuana.
My vote: Maybe
Finally, Katie McGinty (pictured middle left)
She's the vice president of an environmental construction firm.
She wants to raise the minimum wage to $10.10. She's also for campaign/lobbying reform and reinstating the popular vote for president. She's pro gay marriage. While she has an environmental background she is still for drilling Marcellus Shale. Her site mentions imposing a tax but doesn't give the exact percentage which worries me. She is for pulling funding of for-profit charter schools. She is not for limiting gun ownership. She's pro de-criminalizing marijuana.
My vote: Maybe
Well I'm a little disappointed by all the democratic candidates. While I don't agree with all her stances I believe I'm going to have to vote for Allyson Schwartz. This doesn't mean I'll vote for her when it comes time for the actual election but it's enough to get her through this round.
