The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC) neither supports nor opposes any candidate for public office. In an effort to educate voters, the PCC gave the statewide candidates the opportunity to make their positions known on key specific issues important to Catholics.
On Tuesday, May 15, 2018, the members of Pennsylvania’s two major political parties will choose their candidates for the following statewide offices in the fall.
Candidates for Governor
Thomas W. Wolf (D)
Scott R. Wagner (R)
Paul Mango (R)
Laura Ellsworth (R)
Candidates for Lieutenant Governor
Michael J. Stack (D)
John K. Fetterman (D)
Raymond Sosa (D)
Kathleen M. Cozzone (D)
Nilofer Nina Ahmad (D)
Jeffrey A. Bartos (R)
Marguerite A. “Peg” Luksik (R)
Diana Irey Vaughan (R)
Kathleen Ann Coder (R)
Candidates who did not respond to the survey: For Governor – Thomas W. Wolf (D), Scott R. Wagner (R), and Laura Ellsworth (R); For Lieutenant Governor – Michael J. Stack (D), John K. Fetterman (D), Raymond Sosa (D), Kathleen M. Cozzone (D), Nilofer Nina Ahmad (D), Jeffrey A. Bartos (R), Kathleen Ann Coder (R)
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?
MANGO (R) SUPPORT
IREY VAUGHAN (R) SUPPORT
LUKSIK (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.
MANGO (R) c.*
* I believe one act of violence does not justify another. However, building a Culture of Life requires consensus, and I would allow exceptions as Governor.
IREY VAUGHAN (R) b.
LUKSIK (R) c.*
* I have no exceptions. A child is a child.
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?
MANGO (R) SUPPORT*
* While I support legal immigration, I strongly oppose sanctuary cities because they are dangerous, violate the law, and provide protections not afforded to all Pennsylvanians.
IREY VAUGHAN (R) SUPPORT
LUKSIK (R) SUPPORT*
* They are not undocumented, they are illegal; it is inherently unjust to say that only some people must obey the law.
4. Which statement reflects your position most accurately?
a. Pennsylvania should cut public spending on health and human services programs and provide greater incentives for private non-profit organizations to meet local needs.
b. The state government should provide more funding for public-private partnerships that provide health and human services programs.
c. Pennsylvania’s state and local governments should assume more responsibility for providing health and human services to people in need.
MANGO (R) a.*
* Localities best understand the populations they serve. We must protect religious freedom and support their missions, which are more effective than Harrisburg-driven bureaucracies.
IREY VAUGHAN (R) a.
LUKSIK (R) a.*
* Private non-profits meet more needs more effectively for less money.
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.
MANGO (R) d.*
* I am the only candidate who would veto these bills for privacy and religious freedom concerns. We must embrace, not close, these social service agencies.
IREY VAUGHAN (R) d.*
* There is bipartisan agreement that “public accommodation” would include bathrooms in schools. Our religious freedom and privacy should not be infringed.
LUKSIK (R) d.*
* Federal law already does this.
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?
MANGO (R) SUPPORT*
* A robust ESA (Education Savings Account) program would help ensure that all students have the necessary tools to become good citizens who are competitive in today’s global economy.
IREY VAUGHAN (R) SUPPORT
LUKSIK (R) DID NOT INDICATE*
* (I am) always leery of more state involvement in non-public schools; (I) do support (an) increase in EITC allowance.
7. Which statement reflects your position most accurately?
a. U.S. Congress should maintain federal funding for the Medicaid program to strengthen it as a safety-net for low-income, elderly and disabled people.
b. U.S. Congress should cap federal funding and issue block grants for Medicaid giving more responsibility to the states.
MANGO (R) b.*
* Washington will never solve Pennsylvania’s problems. We must reform Medicaid ourselves to focus on innovation, transparency, prevention, and consumer-centric care.
IREY VAUGHAN (R) b.
LUKSIK (R) b.*
* Different states have different needs; government should be most local possible.
8. What is your position on the death penalty?
MANGO (R) SUPPORT*
* I support the death penalty for the most heinous crimes, including those who kill our law enforcement officers and first responders.
IREY VAUGHAN (R) SUPPORT
LUKSIK (R) DID NOT INDICATE*
* It is moral; it should always be the last option.
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.
MANGO (R) b.*
* I believe that parents are the best decision-makers on the child care options for their children, not a bureaucrat in Harrisburg.
IREY VAUGHAN (R) c.
LUKSIK (R) c.*
* Our children are too important to give them to the government; building and occupancy codes address safety concerns.
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