In the final days before the primary elections, PoliticsPA is taking a look at the candidates for state Senate nominations in the 11th and 15th districts.
Berks County
11th State Senate District
Lisha Rowe (right) vs. Miguel Vasquez (right)
Both candidates are vying for the GOP nomination to face the incumbent Democrat Judy Schwank autumn.
Lisha Rowe
- Party. Republican
- Residence. Cumru commune
- Experience. Cumru County Board of Commissioners. A woman on the Berks County GOP committee. Ecological Education Specialist. Chemical research and development technician.
- Top priorities. “Values the Constitution, the Second Amendment, freedom to heal, secure borders, election integrity, estate tax abolition, school choice, the right to life, fiscal responsibility, small businesses, and the preservation of freedom and liberty.”
- Confirmations. Berks County Republican Committee
- Education. BS, UNC-Charlotte
- Cufflinks: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide
- Campaign finance report (from 3/04/2024 to 4/08/2024)
- Raised: $102,123.22 | Spent: $138,987.14 | Cash on hand: $1,736.12
- Debts and Liabilities: $3,363.64
Miguel Vasquez
- Party. Republican
- Residence. Muhlenberg commune
- Experience. Program Support Director, Family Support Concepts.
- Top priorities. “Give every child a chance for educational success by fighting for funding for both traditional public education and choice initiatives. Get drugs and drug dealers off our streets. Severely punish any criminal who uses weapons. Focus on addiction treatment to prevent drug crime.”
- Quotable. “Our biggest problem is politicians who have lost sight of what they should be doing and are hurting us all in the process. Too many politicians are driven by an ideology that puts politics before people.”
- Education. B.S., Albright.
- Cufflinks: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide
- Campaign finance report (from 3/04/2024 to 4/08/2024)
- Raised: $290 | Spent: $0 | Cash on hand: $390
District Composition: A portion of BERKS County consisting of the CITY of Reading and the Townships of Alsace, Cumru, Exeter, Lower Alsace, Maxatawna, Muhlenberg, Oley, Richmond, Ruscombmanor and Spring, and the DISTRICTS of Adamstown (part of Berks County), Fleetwood, Kenhorst, Kutztown, Laureldale , Lyons, Mohnton, Mount Penn, Shillington, Sinking Spring, St. Lawrence, West Reading and Wyomissing.
Dauphin County
15th State Senate District
Patty Kim (No) vs. Alvin Taylor (No)
Dominic DiFrancesco II (R) vs. Ken Stambaugh (R)
Four candidates hope to secure their party’s nomination so they can run to replace it in the general election John DiSanto.
Patty Kim
- Party. Democrat
- Residence. Harrisburg
- Experience. State Representative, 103rd District.
- House assignments. Chair, insurance.
- Last elections (2022). She defeated Heather MacDonald (75-25%) in the general election.
- Top priorities. Fight for fair pay and expanded worker protections. Fully implement the fair financing formula. Make sure no bill restricting access to health care ever becomes law in Pennsylvania.
- Quotable. “Since my time on the Harrisburg City Council, I have tried to stay connected to the issues my neighbors face, and when I saw that they were too big for our municipality alone, I took their voices and fights to the House of Representatives.”
- Confirmations. Governor Josh Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, Speaker Joanna McClinton, Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, Dauphin County Democrats
- Education. B.A., Boston College.
- Cufflinks: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide
- Campaign finance report (from 3/04/2024 to 4/08/2024)
- Raised: $167,837.48 | Spent: $90,900.77 | Cash on hand: $306,395.33
Alvin Taylor
- Party. Democrat
- Residence. Lower Paxton District
- Experience. Minister of the United Missionary Baptist Church. Adjunct Professor, Rutgers.
- Top priorities. Abortion should be a private decision between the woman and her doctor. Education – equity financing and living wages; and environmental and tidy energy issues.
- Quotable. “My entry into this senatorial campaign is a challenge comparable to the biblical exploits of David against Goliath. David, the shepherd with a sling versus the political warrior Goliath. “I believe it’s time to choose ‘An Ordinary Man’ for the ‘extraordinary times’ we live in.”
- Education. Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Virginia Union University
- Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide
- Campaign financial report (from 1/01/2024 to 4/08/2024)
- Raised: $26,705.46 | Spent: $38,595 | Cash on hand: $300
- Debt and liabilities: $26,405.46
Nick DiFrancesco
- Party. Republican
- Residence. Lower Swatara Commune
- Experience. Dauphin County Treasurer. Former Dauphin County Commissioner
- Top priorities. Invest in good schools and ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed at the school of their choice. Stand up to out-of-control spending and higher taxes on our families. Protect the values of our communities, defend freedom of speech.
- Quotable. “I’m running for state senator to address the issues you and your family face every day. I will fight for great schools for every child, fiscal responsibility to reduce the tax burden and stop inflation, and law enforcement to protect our communities.”
- Confirmations. Senator Greg Rothman, Senator Mike Regan.
- Education. BS, Pennsylvania State University.
- Cufflinks: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide
- Campaign financial report (from 1/01/2024 to 4/08/2024)
- Raised: $20,385 | Spent: $16,522.31 | Cash on hand: $4,491.39
- Debts and liabilities: $250
And Stambaugh
- Party. Republican
- Residence. Lower Swatara Commune
- Experience. Army veteran
- Top priorities. The primary role of government is the safety of our citizens. From highways to communities to fentanyl poisonings, action must be taken. Supports the Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act.
- Quotable. “I am not a career politician. As a political outsider, I will bring real-world experience to the role of senator, and that is what all people should want, regardless of political party.”
- Confirmations. Dauphin County GOP.
- Education. BS, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
- Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide
- Campaign financial report (from 1/01/2024 to 4/08/2024)
- Raised: $25,050 | Spent: $890.33 | Cash on hand: $24,159.47
District squad. That portion of DAUPHIN COUNTY including the CITY of Harrisburg and the CITIES of Conewago, Derry, East Hanover, Londonderry, Lower Paxton, Lower Swatara, Middle Paxton, South Hanover, Susquehanna, Swatara and West Hanover and the MUNICIPALITIES of Dauphin, Highspire, Hummelstown, Middletown, Paxtang, Penbrook, Royalton and Steelton.
