Who Is Getting Your Vote?

Who's getting your vote today? It's an off-year election, one which will be noted for its poor turnout and gerrymandered districts designed to protect incumbents. Things are so bad that several Lehigh Valley state house candidates and State Senator Lisa Boscola have no opponent. I'll be working at one of the polls, and will only have limited access to this blog. But I want to give readers a chance to make arguments for their candidates. Do you like Corbett or Wolf? Scavello or Aurand? Beyer or Simmons? Hahn or Altieri? Molony or McNeil? Are you so sick of entrenched incumbents that you're ready for an independent like Michael Molovinsky?

I went with Tom Wolf. Unlike many Democrats, I like Tom Corbett. He was an effective Attorney General, but his draconian budget cuts to social services programs come at the same time that he approved tax giveaways for politically connected millionaires like J.B. Reilly. Wolf is a bit short on answers, but I admire his refusal to spread "street money" in Philadelphia. I think that race will be closer than pundits predict.

I also voted for Matt Cartright over Schuylkill County's "Doc" Moylan. The "Doc"'s regular appearances on our local crackpot radio station told me all I need to know.

I did vote for Republican Mario Scavello. Mark Aurrand is a decent man with personal integrity, but Mario simply has more experience and has a record of delivering services to his district. When he says he will fix the bridges and roads, I think he means it and will do it. Aurand might not be able to do it.

I had no choice in the state house race, but am fascinated by Independent Michael Molovinsky. Here's what Ron Beitler has to say.

Republican Julie Harhart has held the seat for 20 years. This is far too long. MM represents an independent voice of which we need more in the state house. In a recent Mcall article the author wrote that Molovinsky clearly “Stood Out,” in the debate but referred to him as a “long shot” because he’s an Independent. We have to get over that. Competition is good. I am a Republican and typically work to support Republican candidates but I believe it’s important to have strong 3rd party or independent candidates. MM is a strong candidate. And I think he will do surprisingly well and has a shot. But that depends on the voters. Will they move beyond pulling levels based on the R or D behind it? Molovinsky is clearly the best candidate for the job.

I agree with Beitler, and which Michael good luck.

Below is a video of a PBS "debate" for four of the contested state house races.