Know the candidates before the election

Posted May 12, 2014

Archdiocese of Philadelphia

CANDIDATES QUESTIONNAIRE 2014 PRIMARY ELECTION

This Candidates Questionnaire was prepared by the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference and distributed by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office for Communications.

This document is also available on the Archdiocesan website, www.archphila.org.

Candidates were surveyed on a broad range of topics of interest to Catholic voters, and their responses are being published without comment of the Office for Communications. The archdiocese expresses no preference for any particular response to any question.

The archdiocese does not endorse or oppose any candidate for political office, nor does it intervene in political campaigns in any way.

The archdiocese urges voters to become fully informed about candidates’ positions. The qualifications of candidates for public office cannot be fully assessed by reference to this or any other single candidate’s questionnaire. Voters are therefore encouraged to obtain as much information about candidates for public office from as many sources as possible. To learn about your legislative district or to locate your polling place, contact your County Board Elections.

Also see a review of positions of the candidates for Pennsylvania governor here.

PRIMARY ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2014. POLLS ARE OPEN FROM 7 A.M. TO 8 P.M.

Please make every effort to vote.

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Candidates Responding
District-Candidate (Party)

1. Meghan Rath (Republican)
13. Carson Dee Adcock (Republican)
All other candidates did not respond.

1. Do you support or oppose legislation to continue and expand current federal laws that provide educational benefits to students and teachers in private and religious schools on an equitable basis in comparison to the benefits received by public school students and teachers?

1. Meghan Rath (R): Support
13. Carson Dee Adcock (R): Support

2. Which statement reflects your position most accurately?
a) I support legalized abortion.
b) I oppose legalized abortion in all circumstances.
c) I oppose legalized abortion, except when the life of the mother is in danger or the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest

1. Meghan Rath (R): a) I support legalized abortion. Comments: First trimester, rape, incest
13. Carson Dee Adcock (R): c) I oppose legalized abortion, except when the life of the mother is in danger or the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest

3. Do you support or oppose legislation that would permit undocumented immigrants who have lived in the United States for a number of years, have worked and built equities in our country, and who do not have criminal records to register with the government and take steps to earn legal status?

1. Meghan Rath (R): Support
13. Carson Dee Adcock (R): Support

4. What is your position on providing a federal tax credit to businesses that donate to scholarship organizations that provide scholarships for low-income students at private and religious schools in grades kindergarten through 12?

1. Meghan Rath (R): Support
13. Carson Dee Adcock (R): Support

5. Do you support or oppose robust funding for poverty-focused assistance to reduce global poverty and increase the percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) contributed in foreign aid?

1. Meghan Rath (R): Oppose
13. Carson Dee Adcock (R): Oppose

6. Do you support or oppose robust levels of aid for refugees who are fleeing from persecution abroad and to provide adequate funding for the U.S. refugee admissions and resettlement programs?

1. Meghan Rath (R): Support
13. Carson Dee Adcock (R): Support

7. Do you support or oppose legislation to prevent federal agencies and states that receive federal funds from discriminating against health care providers who do not perform or participate in abortions (Hyde-Weldon Amendment)?

1. Meghan Rath (R): Support
13. Carson Dee Adcock (R): Support

8. What is your position on legalizing same-sex marriage?

1. Meghan Rath (R): Support
13. Carson Dee Adcock (R): Oppose

9. Do you support or oppose legislation that would guarantee comprehensive freedom of conscience for health care professionals, providers and institutions?

1. Meghan Rath (R): Support
13. Carson Dee Adcock (R): Support

10. Do you support or oppose efforts to pass legislation (i.e., the Federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act) that would make sexual orientation and gender identity or expression protected classes that are equivalent to existing protected classes (e.g., race, religion, sex, etc.)?

1. Meghan Rath (R): Support
13. Carson Dee Adcock (R): Oppose

PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
STATE SENATE

Candidates Responding
District-Candidate (Party)

2. John Jenkins III (Republican)
4. Robin Gilcrest (Republican)

All other candidates did not respond.

1. What is your position on legislation that would provide direct grants to parents to choose the schools that they believe are best suited for their children, including non-public schools?

2. John Jenkins III (R): Support; Comments: I am a Catholic school administrator and I am strongly in favor of school choice.
4. Robin Gilcrest (R): Support; Comments: I support legislation that school funding follows the child. Parents should choose best education option for their children.

2. Which statement reflects your position most accurately?
a) I support legalized abortion
b) I oppose legalized abortion in all circumstances
c) I oppose legalized abortion, except when the life of the mother is in danger or the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest

2. John Jenkins III (R): c) I oppose legalized abortion, except when the life of the mother is in danger or the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest
4. Robin Gilcrest(R): c) I oppose legalized abortion, except when the life of the mother is in danger or the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest

3. What is your position on legislation that would add state restrictions to existing federal prohibitions concerning the hiring of undocumented immigrants or providing healthcare or government services to the undocumented immigrant?

2. John Jenkins III (R): Support; Comments: Illegal immigrants are not citizens and should not receive government benefits.
4. Robin Gilcrest (R): Oppose

4. What is your position on legalizing same-sex marriage?

2. John Jenkins III (R): Oppose; Comments: Marriage is between one man and one woman.
4. Robin Gilcrest (R): Support

5. Which statement reflects your position most accurately?

a) Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination laws for housing, employment and public accommodation should include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” as protected classes, no exceptions.
b) Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination laws for housing, employment and public accommodation should include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” as protected classes, but should contain exceptions in narrow circumstances to protect religious institutions.
c) Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination laws for housing, employment and public accommodation should include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” as protected classes, but should contain exceptions in narrow circumstances to protect religious conscience for business owners.
d) Pennsylvania should not amend its anti-discrimination laws to add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity and expression” as protected classes at this time.

2. John Jenkins III (R): d) Pennsylvania should not amend its anti-discrimination laws to add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity and expression” as protected classes at this time.
4. Robin Gilcrest (R): a) Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination laws for housing, employment and public accommodation should include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” as protected classes, no exceptions.

6. Assuming there is money in the state budget, what is your position on increasing funding for textbooks and instructional materials for non-public school students at the same rate as increases in subsidies for public school students?

2. John Jenkins III (R): Support
4. Robin Gilcrest (R): Support

7. Which statement reflects your position most accurately?
a) Pennsylvania should accept federal funds under the Affordable Care Act and allow more people, including the working poor, to participate in Medicaid.
b) Pennsylvania should use the additional federal funds under the Affordable Care Act to allow more people, including the working poor, to access the private insurance market.
c) Pennsylvania should not accept Affordable Care Act funds.

2. John Jenkins III (R): c) Pennsylvania should not accept Affordable Care Act funds. Comments: The ACA funds will stop in years and the state will not be able to keep up with the cost.
4. Robin Gilcrest (R): c. Pennsylvania should not accept Affordable Care Act funds.

8. What is your position on the death penalty?

2. John Jenkins III (R): Support; Comments: Unlike unborn babies, people who murder should not be allowed to keep their lives.
4. Robin Gilcrest (R): Support

9. Which statement reflects your position most accurately?
a) Religious childcare and pre-kindergarten providers should be subject to government review of educational content.
b) Religious childcare and pre-kindergarten providers should follow state standards for health and safety of children, but be free to determine their own educational content based on the teachings of their faith tradition.
c) Religious childcare and pre-kindergarten providers should be free from government regulation.

2. John Jenkins III (R): b) Religious childcare and pre-kindergarten providers should follow state standards for health and safety of children, but be free to determine their own educational content based on the teachings of their faith tradition.
4. Robin Gilcrest (R): b) Religious childcare and pre-kindergarten providers should follow state standards for health and safety of children, but be free to determine their own educational content based on the teachings of their faith tradition.

PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Candidates Responding
District-Candidate (Party)

18. Gene DiGirolamo (Republican)
53. Robert Godshall (Republican)
146. Mark Painter (Democrat)
146. Thomas Quigley (Republican)
147. Marcy Toepel (Republican)
152. Thomas Murt (Republican)
173. Paul Definis (Democrat)
190. Isaac Patterson (Democrat)

All other candidates did not respond.

1. What is your position on legislation that would provide direct grants to parents to choose the schools that they believe are best suited for their children, including non-public schools?

18. Gene DiGirolamo (R): Support
53. Robert Godshall (R): Support; Comments: I have voted for the same.
146. Mark Painter (R): Oppose
146. Thomas Quigley (R): Support
147. Marcy Toepel (R): Support
152. Thomas Murt (R): Support
173. Paul Definis (D): Support
190. Isaac Patterson (D): Oppose; Comments: I strongly believe that another method of the destruction of public schools (push towards privatization) is the fallacy of vouchers. The attempt to create a workaround to allow “direct grants” (public dollars) to move into the hands of private K-12 institutions (including religious) poses a direct misuse of public funds.

18. Gene DiGirolamo (R): c) I oppose legalized abortion, except when the life of the mother is in danger or the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest
53. Robert Godshall (R): c) I oppose legalized abortion, except when the life of the mother is in danger or the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest
146. Mark Painter (R): a) I support legalized abortion
146. Thomas Quigley (R): c) I oppose legalized abortion, except when the life of the mother is in danger or the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest.
147. Marcy Toepel (R): c) I oppose legalized abortion, except when the life of the mother is in danger or the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest.
152. Thomas Murt (R): b) I oppose legalized abortion in all circumstances
173. Paul Definis (D): c) I oppose legalized abortion, except when the life of the mother is in danger or the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest.
190. Isaac Patterson (D): a) I support legalized abortion. Comments: All life is precious. As a Christian, I believe God will allow all life with whom he has a divine plan for in his infinite wisdom to come forward. His will is not something we can change, no matter what we believe.

18. Gene DiGirolamo (R):   Support
53. Robert Godshall (R): No position
146. Mark Painter (R):   Oppose
146. Thomas Quigley (R): Support
147. Marcy Toepel (R): Oppose
152. Thomas Murt (R): Support
173. Paul Definis (D): Support
190. Isaac Patterson (D): Oppose; Comments:   Undocumented people in the U.S., not engaging in criminal activities and apparently willing and able to work and contribute to our nation’s greater good need a clear and defined pathway to citizenship. Making the employment of undocumented workers illegal does several things; prevents collection of payroll taxes, allows corporations and wealthy families to pay wages far below minimum wage and often create company store and company housing styled arrangements with their subjugated workers, reminiscent to plantation life. While working towards the goal of citizenship, there may from time to time be a need for health care services. The cost of these services is going to be ours to pay in one form or another. Allowing these persons access to programs like the Affordable Care Act allows them to pay something towards their medical cost without hospitals having to add the cost into what citizens have to pay. This moves us towards reduced overall health care cost for all.

4. What is your position on legalizing same-sex marriage?

18. Gene DiGirolamo (R): Oppose
53. Robert Godshall (R): Oppose
146. Mark Painter (R): Support
146. Thomas Quigley (R): Oppose
147. Marcy Toepel (R): Oppose
152. Thomas Murt (R): Support
173. Paul Definis (D): Oppose
190. Isaac Patterson (D): Support; Comments: I find this question humorous coming from a Christian based organization. Maybe I am missing something, but you do understand that God arranges marriages. What you are seeing in the world are weddings; man’s celebration of what God has done. Based on current divorce rates, nonmembers of the LGBT community often have weddings where apparently God arranged “NO” marriage. We should spend more time focusing on the strength of our own relationships and be a shining example of a committed relationship before we begin to criticize others, espousing our beliefs of what is wrong with someone else’s relationship. If God arranges marriages, has God shown you whom he has married to whom? How can man make any law approving or denying Gods will (“Let” Thy will be done)?

5. Which statement reflects your position most accurately?
a) Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination laws for housing, employment and public accommodation should include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” as protected classes, no exceptions.
b) Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination laws for housing, employment and public accommodation should include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” as protected classes, but should contain exceptions in narrow circumstances to protect religious institutions.
c) Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination laws for housing, employment and public accommodation should include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” as protected classes, but should contain exceptions in narrow circumstances to protect religious conscience for business owners.
d) Pennsylvania should not amend its anti-discrimination laws to add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity and expression” as protected classes at this time.

18. Gene DiGirolamo (R): Undecided
146. Mark Painter (R): b) Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination laws for housing, employment and public accommodation should include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” as protected classes, but should contain exceptions in narrow circumstances to protect religious institutions.
146. Thomas Quigley (R): Undecided
147. Marcy Toepel (R): d) Pennsylvania should not amend its anti-discrimination laws to add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity and expression” as protected classes at this time. Comments: We must proceed very carefully in creating new protected classes. While discrimination should not be tolerated, religious freedom must be protected.
152. Thomas Murt (R): b) Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination laws for housing, employment and public accommodation should include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” as protected classes, but should contain exceptions in narrow circumstances to protect religious institutions.
173. Paul Definis (D): d) Pennsylvania should not amend its anti-discrimination laws to add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity and expression” as protected classes at this time.
190. Isaac Patterson (D): a) Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination laws for housing, employment and public accommodation should include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” as protected classes, no exceptions. Comments: If the law is to be amended, remove stated classes all together as the list seems to evolve constantly. I would propose a change to the language to insert language like any or all in front of person/s or group/s and better define the intents that are hate driven and ignorance based. No type of hate, based on ignorance and indifference should be endorsed in our society, even hate twisted minds feel it is hate God compels them to do. I do support a religious ideology exemption clause for hate speech/ action against any person or group.

18. Gene DiGirolamo (R): Support
146. Mark Painter (R): Support
146. Thomas Quigley (R): Support
147. Marcy Toepel (R): Support
152. Thomas Murt (R): Support
173. Paul Definis (D): Support
190. Isaac Patterson (D): Oppose; Comments: Assuming that all public school districts in Pennsylvania are made solvent and have all required funding, tools and staffing levels met, Penn DOT, PA CHIP, Medicare, Medicaid and state pensions funds are solvent, our state schools (Universities and Colleges) are solvent and free for instate residents, only then can we can discuss the state subsidizing textbooks and instructional materials for non-public schools.

7. Which statement reflects your position most accurately?
a) Pennsylvania should accept federal funds under the Affordable Care Act and allow more people, including the working poor, to participate in Medicaid.
b) Pennsylvania should use the additional federal funds under the Affordable Care Act to allow more people, including the working poor, to access the private insurance market.
c) Pennsylvania should not accept Affordable Care Act funds.

18. Gene DiGirolamo (R): a) Pennsylvania should accept federal funds under the Affordable Care Act and allow more people, including the working poor, to participate in Medicaid.
146. Mark Painter (R): a) Pennsylvania should accept federal funds under the Affordable Care Act and allow more people, including the working poor, to participate in Medicaid.
146. Thomas Quigley (R): Undecided
147. Marcy Toepel (R): b) Pennsylvania should use the additional federal funds under the Affordable Care Act to allow more people, including the working poor, to access the private insurance market.
152. Thomas Murt (R): a) Pennsylvania should accept federal funds under the Affordable Care Act and allow more people, including the working poor, to participate in Medicaid.
173. Paul Definis (D): c) Pennsylvania should not accept Affordable Care Act funds. Comments: Really not sure at this point
190. Isaac Patterson (D): a) Pennsylvania should accept federal funds under the Affordable Care Act and allow more people, including the working poor, to participate in Medicaid. Comments: In what can only be described as irresponsible inaction on the part of our Governor and the two houses; PA is missing federal dollars many of our residence would benefit from via Medicaid expansion. Time is running out as every year the percentage available from the US Government is reduced. Universal Health insurance for all, if we are going to continue to say the United States of America is the richest nation on the planet must be a reality, and this must include dental. As a common wealth, we need to discuss common health.

8. What is your position on the death penalty?

18. Gene DiGirolamo (R): Support
53. Robert Godshall (R): Support; Comments: Only on the most heinous cases.
146. Mark Painter (R): Oppose
146. Thomas Quigley (R): Support
147. Marcy Toepel (R): Support
152. Thomas Murt (R): Support
173. Paul Definis (D): Support
190. Isaac Patterson (D): Support; Comments: I do not believe God makes mistakes or junk. I do believe our “free” will is corruptible and evil can reside in some humans. We need not keep them here any longer than necessary. If any good is to come of them or from them, God will change their path before death.

9. Which statement reflects your position most accurately?
a) Religious childcare and pre-kindergarten providers should be subject to government review of educational content.
b) Religious childcare and pre-kindergarten providers should follow state standards for health and safety of children, but be free to determine their own educational content based on the teachings of their faith tradition.
c) Religious childcare and pre-kindergarten providers should be free from government regulation.

18. Gene DiGirolamo (R): b) Religious childcare and pre-kindergarten providers should follow state standards for health and safety of children, but be free to determine their own educational content based on the teachings of their faith tradition.
53. Robert Godshall (R): b) Religious childcare and pre-kindergarten providers should follow state standards for health and safety of children, but be free to determine their own educational content based on the teachings of their faith tradition.
146. Mark Painter (R): b) Religious childcare and pre-kindergarten providers should follow state standards for health and safety of children, but be free to determine their own educational content based on the teachings of their faith tradition.
146. Thomas Quigley (R): b) Religious childcare and pre-kindergarten providers should follow state standards for health and safety of children, but be free to determine their own educational content based on the teachings of their faith tradition.
147. Marcy Toepel (R): b) Religious childcare and pre-kindergarten providers should follow state standards for health and safety of children, but be free to determine their own educational content based on the teachings of their faith tradition.
152. Thomas Murt (R): b) Religious childcare and pre-kindergarten providers should follow state standards for health and safety of children, but be free to determine their own educational content based on the teachings of their faith tradition.
173. Paul Definis (D): b) Religious childcare and pre-kindergarten providers should follow state standards for health and safety of children, but be free to determine their own educational content based on the teachings of their faith tradition.
190. Isaac Patterson (D): b) Religious childcare and pre-kindergarten providers should follow state standards for health and safety of children, but be free to determine their own educational content based on the teachings of their faith tradition. Comments: Following state standards for health and safety (L&I, reporting of abuse, required immunizations) of children in “ALL” childcare and pre-kindergarten facilities is enough oversight for me.

Know the candidates before the election

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