by Pete Mazzaccaro

Next week, Nov. 6, local voters will go to the polls to decide a number of races in this year’s general, mid-term election. Voters will choose between a number of candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, Senator, U.S. House, State Senate and State Rep.

WHYY’s online voter guide was used to produce this roundup.

Governor:

The main contest is between Democratic incumbent Governor Tom Wolf and his Republican challenger, Scott Wagner. Asked his top three priorities should he be elected to a second term, Wolf highlighted increased funding to public schools, support for job growth and protecting health insurance for seniors.

Wagner on the same question said he wanted to reform the state budgeting process with an emphasis on trimming wasteful spending, and he has promised to eliminate property taxes and to overhaul the way public education is delivered in the state.

In addition to both major party candidates, Libertarian Ken V. Krawchuk and the Green Party’s Paul Glover are also on the ballot. Krawchuk has vowed to cut taxes and to treat the opioid crisis as a health epidemic rather than a criminal matter. Glover wants to increase investments in renewable energy sources and has vowed to start a green jobs initiative to employ state residents in environmental work.

Lt. Governor:

The two major party candidates for Lt. Governor are Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Jeff Bartos.

Fetterman said he hopes to serve as “a progressive backstop for the Governor, advocate for economic justice and our forgotten communities in Pennsylvania.” Bartos was recruited by Wagner and has spoken on the campaign trail of cutting taxes and regulations.

Also on the ballot are Green Party candidate Jocolyn Bowser-Bostick and Libertarian Kathleen Smith. Bowser-Bostick wants to address climate change at the state level and for economic and social justice, including a specific fight against poverty. Smith has stressed the implementation of an independent commission to redraw state congressional districts.

U.S. Senate:

Incumbent Senator Bob Casey Jr. hopes to defeat Republican rival Lou Barletta for another six-year term.

Casey said his top three priorities are “increasing access to affordable health care, protecting the programs Pennsylvanians depend on, and helping working families get ahead. That means stopping the Trump administration’s sabotage of our health care system, defeating Republican attacks on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, and fighting to raise wages, protect the rights of organized labor, and eliminate the obstacles holding working families back.”

Asked the same question, Barletta said his top three priorities are: “keeping Pennsylvania’s families safe, protecting Pennsylvania jobs, and standing up for the men and women who serve our communities. More than anything, people want someone willing to fight for them, when no one else will. That’s what I have always done, and that’s why I’m running for the U.S. Senate.”

Joining Casey and Barletta on the ballot for U.S. Senate are Libertarian Dale Kerns Jr. and the Green Party’s Neal Gale. Kerns said he wants to treat the opioid crisis as a medical crisis and would like to abolish both the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (known as ICE). Gale would work to reform political funding, invest in renewable energy and work to close the income gap.

U.S. Congress:

In Philadelphia’s new 3rd District, Incumbent Democrat Dwight Evans seeks reelection against Republican Bryan E. Leib.

Evans said his priorities are to continue to defend Obamacare and other important social programs Philadelphians depend on from Republican cuts. Leib said he wants to work to reform taxes, streamline regulations, provide funding for vocational schools and to fight corruption.

In Montgomery County’s new 4th District, candidates are Democrat Madeleine Dean and Republican Dan David.

David said he would like to repeal and replace Obamacare and would like to see reforms in global economics including listings on the Chinese stock exchange – which he says has defrauded US investors – and the implementation of trade protections for U.S. companies. Dean’s priorities include free community college, interest free student loans, universal Pre-K and strengthening gun laws to combat gun violence.

State Senate:

See our individual profiles on incumbent Democrat Art Haywood and his Republican challenger, Ron Holt.

State Representative:

In the 200th District that includes Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy, incumbent Democrat Chris Rabb has no challenger.

In the 154th District, which includes Cheltenham and Springfield townships, incumbent Democratic State Rep. Steve McCarter is being challenged by Republican Kathy Garry Bowers.

McCarter said he would work to increase support for public education, environmental protections and better outcomes for working families, including raising the minimum wage, student loan forgiveness and incomebased property tax relief. Bowers wants to broadly reform government and taxes as well as create programs to help state residents get job training.

Pete Mazzaccaro can be reached at pete@chestnuthilllocal.com or 215- 248-8802.