48th Pennsylvania Senate District Race [Voters Guide] | | PA Rights and Policies

About the district: Two state Senate districts have covered Lancaster County for the past decade. The 36th Ward spanned the northern half of the county from the District of Columbia to Carnarvon Township and included the boroughs of Lititz, Elizabethtown, Ephrata, Mannheim, and New Holland. However, following the 2020 Census, District 3, District 48, is now part of the county, namely the townships of Brecknock, Clay, East Cocarico, West Cocarico, and Adamstown. Covers the borough of Denver.

population: 269,151.

Partisan make: Of the 171,093 registered voters, 56% are Republicans, 29% are Democrats, and 15% are independent or third party voters.

Race Summary: Lebanon and Berks counties make up the bulk of the district, and are currently represented by Chris Gebhardt, Republican of North Cornwall Township.

Gebhardt, who lives just outside Lebanon City, was elected in a special election called in May 2021 after the death of Republican Lebanese Senator Dave Arnold. He runs an insurance agency in Lebanon. A top priority in his office, he said, is ensuring secure elections with mandatory voter ID and adding mandatory classes on personal finance to the curricula of every high school in the state.

This year’s Democrat is Calvin “Doc” Clements, a Palmyra veterinarian. He says his priorities in office are increasing lawmakers’ salaries and reforming the state’s property tax system.

Most of the 48th Party voters are registered Republicans, and Gebhardt is likely to win re-election to maturity by a whopping 30 points.

Calvin Clements

Party: Democratic Party.

Year: 71.

address: 25 Country Lane, South Londonderry Township, County Lebanon.

education: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is a Certified Clinical Research Professional at the University of Tennessee School of Veterinary Medicine.

Profession: veterinarian.

family: Married to Carla, 3 children and 6 grandchildren.

Main support: AFL-CIO.

If elected in November, what are your top two priorities for when you take office?

I propose legislation to undo the recent $5,000 raise and block the $6,000 pay raise scheduled for 2023. We will finally enact a bill to reform the property tax that has been promised for 25 years.

If elected, how will you deal with inflation?

Inflation is the function of too much money chasing too few commodities. We need to make more merchandise in Pennsylvania. Lower business taxes to encourage manufacturing in Pennsylvania.

Abolish the gas tax that was supposed to be used for highway repairs, but 50% will be diverted to other things.

Will you support putting a constitutional amendment to a vote next year to make abortion illegal in Pennsylvania?

No. Reproductive rights are healthcare and require medical judgment.

Voters say they are fed up with partisanship and its effect on governance. If elected, how will you contact elected candidates and voters who are affiliated with other political parties?

I am a centrist candidate and have no real loyalty to either party. We can listen to all voices and work towards bipartisan solutions.

Chris Gebhardt

Party: Republican Party.

Year: 48.

address: 715 Park Drive, North Cornwall Township, County Lebanon.

education: Cedarcrest High School. Diploma, hill school. She holds a BA in Psychology from Vanderbilt University.

Profession: He has been a state senator since 2021. Owner of Hoaster Gebhard & Co. insurance agency.

family: with wife Sarah and sons Davis, 13, and Drew, 10;

Key recommendations: Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Business.

If elected in November, what are your top two priorities for when you take office?

The most frequently asked question from voters is election reform. As a Pennsylvanian, I think there is a basic idea that we can all agree on about elections. No one should feel that their vote is invalid or that the system is unfair. That’s why I support voter ID legislation. You can’t buy cold medicine or video games without your ID. We need to ask them to vote. My second priority for him is my SB1243 — this is the new high school on basic personal finance, covering issues like what a credit score really means, mortgages, budgeting, and retirement savings. Create a class.

If elected, how will you deal with inflation?

The government must enact policies that allow businesses to operate at the lowest possible cost in order to provide affordable goods and services to Pennsylvanians. This can be achieved by cutting taxes, but this year we lowered the pesky corporate net income tax to attract more industries to the Commonwealth. I also advocate cutting down on the burdensome government regulations and bureaucracy that hinder the day-to-day operations of businesses. Finally, government spending must be contained. The solution to all Harrisburg’s problems seems to be to throw more money at it. The result is inflation and tax increases.

Will you support putting a constitutional amendment to a vote next year to make abortion illegal in Pennsylvania?

I welcomed the Pro-Life Federation’s endorsement and was proud to co-sponsor Senator Judy Ward’s bill to put the people of Pennsylvania on a referendum to consider this issue.

Voters say they are fed up with partisanship and its effect on governance. If elected, how will you contact elected candidates and voters who are affiliated with other political parties?

Regardless of your position on a single issue, it is important to keep the discussion civil and work in Pennsylvania’s best interests. I did this in the Senate, working across the aisles to pass important legislation with bipartisan support. It is possible to remain true to core values ​​and principles without resorting to agitation or denigrating those who disagree.