Gettysburg Connection asked each of the local candidates running for office in the November 3, 2020 general election to answer a short questionnaire about their qualifications for office.
Below are the responses we received. Despite multiple attempts to reach them, we have not heard from incumbent candidates John Joyce, Doug Mastriano, or Torren Ecker.
Dan Moul: Representative in the General Assembly, 91st District (Incumbent)
- Government/political history
Current office: Representative in the General Assembly, 91st District since 2006
Previous political/government elected offices held, and years: None
Previous or current appointed government positions, including boards and commissions:
None
Current political party affiliation: Republican
2. Personal Statement and Endorsements
(If applicable) As an incumbent, what are three things you have done that have made a difference for your constituents.
I have passed multiple bills into law and have sat on many committees. I am chairman of the majority party where I oversee all bills that pertain to counties. My first bill was signed into law by Gov Rendell. It was called the deadbeats parent bill. I’m still pretty proud of it.
Last session I passed a bill for limited liability to people who open their property for recreational purposes.
If elected my three top goals to make a difference for my constituents are:
I stand behind grants. I’ve built a relationship with agencies. When I need the help I get the help.
As an example, Route 16 and Orchard Drive was a very dangerous intersection. Two children were hurt or killed there. I called in PennDot and said “people out here need this change and I need to get it done. They jumped into action. That’s the kind of relationship that I have built with the agencies in Harrisburg.
We still have people who applied for unemployment months ago that have never received anything from the Department of Labor. My office has gotten very, very good at helping people. We know who to call. The employees in my office are a team who have help countless people.
We’re there to help the community. When you call in we are there to help.
Endorsements:
3. Employment and Education
Current employment. Moul Rental properties run by my wife and I.
Prior employment:. Construction
Schools and degrees:. K-12 New Oxford; Studied finance at York College of PA. I cared about learning how things work. I grew up on a farm. My parents weren’t rich. I was 100% on my own.
Professional organizations, please note leadership positions:
Charter member of People Who Care which raised money to help people who are less fortunate.
Awards of recognitions associated with work: None
4. Community Service
Non-profit community organization affiliations and any leadership positions: None.
Awards or recognitions associated with volunteer work. None. When people need me I go.
Todd Rowley: PA 13th District, U.S. House of Representatives
1. Government/political history
Current office (if none, please note none. Please indicate year initially elected): None
Previous political/government elected offices held, and years: None
Previous or current appointed government positions, including boards and commissions: None
Current political party affiliation: Democratic
2. Personal Statement and Endorsements
(If applicable) As an incumbent, what are three things you have done that have made a difference for your constituents.
If elected my three top goals to make a difference for my constituents are:
- Leading and supporting policies based on facts, science and truthfulness so that our country and the American people can begin to heal from the devastating COVID-19 public health and economic crisis; we must have strong, empathic leadership that will be honest and unifying before our country can move beyond this crisis.
- Supporting legislation to spur economic recovery once we have properly managed the COVID-19 pandemic; fighting for the working class – hardworking families of PA-13 and across our country – defending organized labor, protecting existing manufacturing and energy jobs while creating new, sustainable clean energy jobs that pay a livable, family wage; supporting our farmers and the agriculture industry by providing them with economic and trade policies that allow them access to the global free market, not hamstrung by unnecessary trade wars and tariffs so they can do what they do best – feed our country, but also feed the world; working on a bipartisan, bold infrastructure plan that puts Americans to work to rebuild America.
- Protecting and strengthening Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid; while ensuring that every American has access to affordable, quality health care.
Endorsements:
-United Mine Workers of America (UMWA)
-Pennsylvania AFL-CIO
-UAW
-United Steelworkers (USW)
-United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1776
-National Postal Mail Handlers Union Local 322
-Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association (PPFFA)
-U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA)
3. Employment and Education
Current employment: Substitute Teacher; Community Volunteer
Prior employment: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent (Retired), 1990-2014
Maryland State Police, Trooper/Flight Paramedic, 1987-1990
Schools and degrees: Washington College, Chestertown, MD; BA Political Science
Professional organizations, please note leadership positions: FBI Agents Association; Society of Former Specials Agents of the FBI
Awards of recognitions associated with work: Numerous law enforcement commendations during career.
4. Community Service
Non-profit community organization affiliations and any leadership positions: Somerset County Meals on Wheels Program; Westmoreland County Food Bank.
Awards or recognitions associated with volunteer work: None
Rich Sterner: Pennsylvania State Senate District 33
1. Government/political history
Current office (if none, please note none. Please indicate year initially elected):
None
Previous political/government elected offices held, and years:
None
Previous or current appointed government positions, including boards and commissions:
None
Current political party affiliation:
Democrat
2. Personal Statement and Endorsements
(If applicable) As an incumbent, what are three things you have done that have made a difference for your constituents.
If elected my three top goals to make a difference for my constituents are:
My top three goals are (1) work to influence the federal government and the states to solve problems collectively related to COVID-19; be a leader in finding help for our local communities, improve systems such as unemployment insurance and broad band access for rural areas, and provide consistent, transparent messaging to my constituents; (2) provide health care that is not job dependent but is available to all, coverage that is effective and efficient, lower prescription costs, and cover pre-existing conditions; and (3) create world-class K-12 public education ensuring fair and equitable funding, including property tax reform, while maintaining a high standard of local control. Fund charter schools and cyber charter schools by need, not for profit, and hold them accountable. Eliminate standardized testing and create an evaluation system based on graduation data rates and student performance beyond graduation. Provide training in high school and beyond for jobs necessary in our local industries, businesses, and farms.
Endorsements:
Pennsylvania AFL-CIO; Gettysburg Area Democracy for America; Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate Distinction; Adams County Democratic Committee; Franklin County Democratic Committee; Hanover for Progress; Turn PA Blue; Todd Rowley, candidate for Congress, and Janelle Kayla Crossley, candidate State Representative House District 199.
3. Employment and Education
Current employment:
Retired.
Vice President, School Board, Bermudian Springs School District 2018 – present
Prior employment:
Upper Adams School District, Principal Biglerville High School, middle school principal and history teacher, 1990 – 2015
Allenberry Inn and Playhouse, Service Manager, 1978-1989
Schools and degrees:
Shippensburg University, Elementary Education, 1977
Shippensburg University, Masters in Educational Administration – Social Studies and Elementary Certification, 1990
Professional organizations, please note leadership positions:
Vice President, School Board, Bermudian Springs School District
Representative, Adams County Technical Institute
Awards or recognitions associated with work: None
4. Community Service
Non-profit community organization affiliations and any leadership positions:
Choir Director, Post Chapel, US Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, 1983-1992.
St. Paul’s Brass Quintet, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Carlisle, PA 1995 – Present
Awards or recognitions associated with volunteer work: None