With all the hubbub surrounding the presidential election going down this November, I’m sure that most Moravian students and staff have developed some sort of opinion regarding the two major presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. You may already know who you’ll be casting your ballot for, which is awesome.
However, just because the presidential election is the most talked about does not mean it is the only political race being run this November, and certainly not the only one you should be thinking about. With every seat in the House of Representatives and one-third of the seats in the Senate up for grabs this year, it’s time you started thinking about who you’ll be picking to represent you in Congress.
Remember, the legislative branch (made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate) is the branch of government that has the power to declare war, set taxes, and pass laws. So, the people voting on these issues (our state representatives) matter a lot.
Please note that this article discusses the candidates in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, which is the district in which Moravian University is located. Depending on your home address, you may reside in a different district and thus have different candidates. To find your congressional district, visit the PA Voters Services Page.
PA Senate Race
Bob Casey is a Democrat who is the incumbent in this race. If re-elected, Casey promises to advocate for investment in public education and universal background checks for people purchasing a firearm.
To aid the middle class, Casey wants to reverse the 2017 tax cuts on the ultra-wealthy and instead promote taxing policies which will help build the middle class. He also plans to raise wages and lower the cost of child care. Casey is a firm defender of the Affordable Care Act.
Casey claims he will continue to fight to improve the lives of the average Pennsylvanian, and giving the next generation the resources they need to learn and grow.
For more information regarding Bob Casey’s stance on key issues, visit his policies page.
Dave McCormick is a Republican and a combat veteran who served in the First Gulf War. He ran for Senate in 2022 but lost the Republican nomination to Dr. Mehmet Oz.
McCormick stresses unity and promises to work with members of both parties. He embraces a tough-on-crime approach to policing. Like Casey, McCormick supports background checks, but he is also a firm supporter of the 2nd Amendment.
McCormick advocates for policies that will help veterans find employment. Additionally, he, like Casey, believes our public education system is in need of improvement, though McCormick specifically rallies for investment in better technical training programs, which he believes will help students enter the workforce and improve their economic stability.
McCormick claims to stand strong on traditional American values and promises to continue doing so in Congress.
For more information regarding Dave McCormick’s stance on key issues, visit his website.
PA 7th Congressional District Race
Susan Wild, a Democrat and the incumbent in this race, prides herself on reaching across the aisle and working with members of both political parties. She promises to continue representing all of her constituents, even those whose political party differs from her own.
Some of Wild’s key prerogatives include ensuring corruption-free elections, something she is working for through her For the People Act which would help ensure that everyone eligible to vote can do so and would work to end partisan gerrymandering and dark money. She also says she will protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Susan Wild stands with small businesses, supports raising the minimum wage, and supports the FAMILY Act, which would establish a national paid leave program.
For more information regarding Susan Wild’s stance on key issues, visit her website.
Ryan Mackenzie is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. If elected, he promises to stop cuts to Social Security, increase funding for police and other emergency responders, and increase the affordability of healthcare. Additionally, he wants to cut taxes on working Americans and end regulations, such as WOTUS (Waters of the United States), which he believes are harming farmers and ranchers.
Mackenzie also supports securing our Southern boarding through finishing the building of the wall. He hopes that doing so, along with hiring more law enforcement officers to guard the border, will stop the flow of fentanyl coming into America from Mexico.
For more information regarding Ryan Mackenzie’s self-proclaimed “12 Priorities To Get America Back On Track,” visit mackenzieforcongress.com/issues.
What Now?
Remember, this article is only meant to get you thinking when it comes to these congressional races, meaning your research shouldn’t end here. You should visit candidates’ websites to better acquaint yourself with their values, issues, and plans, and check out what other (reliable) sources have to say about them.
Pick the candidate who you believe best represents your values and interests, and remember that party affiliation shouldn’t be the only factor you consider when choosing a candidate. It’s “country over party” as the old saying goes.
More than anything, remember that these congressional elections are just as important as the presidential ones. Your vote matters, so take the time to learn about the issues at hand and create an informed opinion. I’ll see you at the polls!
